Antwerp designers make celebrities 'shine'. So does Café Costume, dressing Team Belgium for Olympics 2024
We became curious. Which Antwerp designers and labels use their creative design and craftsmanship to dress national and international celebrities? We’ll drop some names, later on in this article.
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The Paris catwalk will be extended for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2024 on July, 26. Team Belgium’s male athletes will line up in fashionable tailored suits designed by Bruno Van Gils of Antwerp-based Café Costume.
We became curious and looked for Antwerp designers and labels that use their creative design and craftsmanship to dress national and international artists, celebrities and well-known dance or theatre companies. How many? Many, in fact. We’ll drop some names, later on in this article.
But first, Café Costume’s achievement.
Café Costume dresses Team Belgium for the 2024 Paris Olympics
Bruno Van Gils, third generation of the Van Gils tailoring family, designed the outfits that the Belgian men will wear during the official events. Each costume is tailor-made to suit the style and personality of the athlete. The lining is exclusively printed with works by artist Sammy Slabbinck, adding an artistic dimension to the outfits, a hallmark of Café Costume.
Bruno, CEO and art director: “Café Costume was created in 2006 to become a brand specialising in tailoring-à-la-carte. We still don't sell suits and shirts off the rack.
About 15 years ago, I was asked to dress 2 Many DJ’s in bespoke suits for their gig in Werchter. I designed elegantly wasted outfits, and that was really my thing. Then, one artist after another came to Café Costumez: Warhaus, Tamino, Mathias Schoenaerts, Luc Borremans, Dries Mertens, Bent Van Looy, Bolis Popul, Triggerfinger,... you can find them all on our wall of inspiration (laughs).”
How did they find Café Costume for this assignment?
Bruno: “The BOIC called me for this assignment. My progressive thinking was exactly what they were looking for. They wanted to break the mould and dress the Olympians in outfits they could also wear afterwards. Our costume technology and breathable fabrics were the perfect fit.
We added glamour to a bold black suit by giving it a dinner jacket twist with satin details. Inside, we finished off with exclusive, artful linings in the Olympic Games, Paris and sports theme, titled ‘In victory’, ‘In time’ and ‘In colour’. We presented this to CEO Cédric Van Branteghem. He and the entire BOIC were blown away.
We created three distinct silhouettes [suit, varsity jacket and shirt with sergeant jacket worn with sartorial trousers] for a total of 270 men – Olympic and Paralympic – and tailored each one to perfection."
As a 16-year-old, I often looked at a large picture of Olivier Strelli, who at the time dressed the athletes for the Olympics. Now, after many years, I'm doing it myself. Too crazy, but exciting!
What an assignment. With deadlines, of course.
Bruno: “With 18 years of experience, I knew we could do this. I once walked onto the main stage at Werchter with costumes for the Dewaele Brothers, 15 minutes before their performance. Now I fly from Milan to Morocco to Ibiza because the other orders keep coming in too. We can make it work thanks to the cooperation of the entire Café Costume team, who help take care of this assignment.
But it’s undeniable, there is stress. We want everything to run smoothly. We hope we can foresee everything. It was challenging to prepare for this event since we only learned last June who the selected athletes were. We had to take their clothing sizes online. Early July – this month - we heard that the Red Lions were in the selection. [Do we already have their sizes? Yes. Whew!]. A suit-to-size usually takes four weeks to deliver.
We are managing this order with 30 employees. We've already delivered 80 suits. The Paralympians' suits will be delivered later. There are another 60 to go. These will be transported to Paris. Did you know we're not allowed to enter the Olympic village?”
What really makes me happy? The reaction of the athletes when we deliver their outfits: 'This is so new, so different, so wearable'. They all love them!
What does this assignment mean for your company?
Bruno: "Today, it is very important for a fashion brand to be seen. Café Costume operates in a niche market and must stand out from the competition. Our customer is our biggest billboard. There is no better way to be in the picture. Our designs are worn by famous people, and that's especially important. This builds credibility and creates new opportunities. Since signing the contract with the BOIC, we have already received requests from football clubs and hotels. That’s the best recognition of our work, isn’t it?”
And for you?
Bruno: “I realise once again this genre of assignments is what I was born to do. This is a different kind of suit design, which fits the body ánd shows how the person in question stands in life. That has become my dada, yes.”
Good luck in Paris. Café Costume is going to do great. And watch it yourself, hey!
YENTSÉ. Fusion of west and east
Antwerp-based young Chinese designer YENTSÉ blends Western and Eastern styles in his perfect tailoring. His designs create a sophisticated look that stands out both on and off stage. World stars such as rapper Russ and DJ Snake have worn his designs, as has Flemish musician Jan Paternoster. But footballers also fall for YENTSÉ. Not long ago, Xavi Simons of the Bundelsligaclub Leipzig showed up in one of his suits.
Florentina Leitner. Glamour for international stars
Austrian designer Florentina Leitner, classmate of Yentsé and based in Antwerp South, has dressed icons such as Lady Gaga, Kylie Jenner and Ellie Goulding. Her designs are praised for their unique style and sophistication. Swedish singer Zara Larsson and Spanish star Rosalia have also expressed their appreciation for Leitner's creations.
Flora Miranda. Innovative fashion for the New Ballet Mécanique
Flora Miranda, a graduate of the Antwerp Fashion Academy, combines fashion and digital technology in her designs. She created costumes for choreographer Richard Siegal's 'New Ballet Mécanique', transforming the dancers into perfect, mechanical, flexible puppets.
Jan-Jan Van Essche. Dresses Vlaamsch (Chez moi) for Sidi Larbi Chercaoui
Owner of the Borgerhout based Atelier Solarshop, Jan-Jan designed the costumes for 'Vlaamsch (Chez moi)', a dance performance in which choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui confronts his Flemish roots. Together they bring Flemish heritage and reinforce each other, translated into movement, costume and set.
Gabrielle Szwarcenberg. New uniforms for Brussels Airlines
The new uniforms for Brussels Airlines have been designed by Gabrielle Szwarcenberg, a young designer who recently graduated from the Antwerp Fashion Academy. Inspired by the glamorous uniforms of the 1960s, the dark navy blue outfits with champagne details will be worn by 2,600 employees.
Elke Hoste. Award for costumes in Baloji's film Augure
Elke Hoste, a talented Antwerp-based designer, used no less than 3,500 Swarovski crystals on a costume by Café Costume for Max Colombie of Oscar and the Wolf in 2022. She also dresses Sylvie Kreusch and recently won awards for her costume designs in Baloji's film 'Augure'.
Dries Van Noten. A favourite of international stars
Dries Van Noten is a favourite of international celebrities such as Michelle Obama or stars as Cate Blanchett, Beyoncé and Rihanna. Belgium's Queen Mathilde and sports champion Nafi Thiam are also often seen wearing his designs.
After all, who doesn't want to wear Dries?
Walter Van Beirendonck. Bono
The first person to be dressed from head to toe in a Van Beirendonck outfit was Bono, the lead singer of U2. Back in 1997, Walter dressed the rockers for their PopMart tour, creating characters such as Bono Man, Muscle Man, Lopsided Man, Hitman and Electric Cowboy, inspired by Action Man characters.
Cédric Jacquemyn. Into music and film
Cédric Jacquemyn's craftsmanship is appreciated by Tamino, who regularly wears Jacquemyn's pieces at concerts. But also Brian Molko, Jude Law, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), James Jagger (yes, son of...), Zayn Malik and Portland; a fine list of stars who have worn designs by Cédric Jacquemyn.
Charlotte De Geyter. Luxury with Bernadette
Gwyneth Paltrow, Sandra Bullock, Gillian Anderson and Selena Gomez wear designs by Charlotte De Geyter, founder of Antwerp-based luxury label Bernadette.
Glenn Martens. Stars in Y/Project
Glenn Martens dresses the Kardashians and other celebrities such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Solange, Bianca Censori and Kanye 'Ye' West.
Meryll Rogge. Contemporary elegance
Meryll Rogge's designs are worn by Hailey Bieber and loved by fashion icons like Gigi Hadid and Vanessa Hudgens.
Suspicious Antwerp. Streetwear with style
It-girl Sofia Richie and 'Victoria's Secret' angel Barbara Palvin own one of its hoodies, while actress Vanessa Hudgens and top model Gigi Hadid are fans of SuspiciouS Antwerp. The streetwear brand has quickly become a hipster hit.
Jasmien Van Loo. Sustainable and unique fashion
For now, let's finish with Jasmien Van Loo, a young woman from Antwerp who designs fashion with a twist, using recycled fabrics and deadstock. She dresses artists as Glint, Pommelien Thijs, Merol, Charlotte Adigéry, Sylvie Kreusch and Coely. Her ambition now? To dress a foreign artist.
Charlotte Adigéry wears clothes by prominent designers Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Meryll Rogge and Igor Dieryck, and jewellery by Stephanie D'heygere and Wouters & Hendrix, among others. During her not unnoticed appearance in 'de slimste mens', she wore a lot of Pommie Dierick, who graduated from Antwerp's fashion department this year.
Elodie Ouedraogo chooses her outfits according to her mood. She wears brands such as Y/Project, Raf Simons and Walter Van Beirendonck because she can mix these collections with her own UNRUN4254. When she wants to 'shine', she reaches for labels like Dries Van Noten, Christian Wijnants, Bernadette, Cap Studio or Studio Soir, the label of stylist Laura Praet. Jewellery? Stephanie D'heygere. And her talent tip? Igor Dieryck.
Sofie Van de Velde opened Dirk Van Saene's first solo exhibition in her Antwerp gallery. What Antwerp fashion does she herself wear? She was a great fan of A.F. Vandevorst. She wears Ann Demeulemeester shoes that are 30 years old. Ninety per cent of her wardrobe is Belgian, with Christian Wijnants, Dries Van Noten and Toos Franken, of course.
Queen and princesses do often wear Essentiel Antwerp. Belgium's Princess Elisabeth showed off a fuchsia evening dress in Jordan. Dutch princess Amalia wore a blue version on a visit to Denmark. And Queen Mathilde wore that outfit in orange-red at the concert at Bozar in Brussels.
