Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In vogue

Stéphanie Duval gives us the inside scoop on the latest trends from planet fashion

Extreme advertising

Bikkembergs plays football in the Andes

Belgian designer Dirk Bikkembergs is known for making less than obvious combinations: his three collections present a mix of sports and couture that is both dashing and refined. With this in mind, it’s obvious that a standard advertising campaign could never capture the unique spirit of his brand – so the innovative designer went for something a little different.

He took 11 soccer players to an extreme location – the Andes mountains in Chile – with equally challenging working conditions, and had them frolic around in everything from his trademark tight boxers to chic suits. All in the name of advertising. www.bikkembergs.com

In the loop

Sandra Backlund’s natty knits

Do you still think of grandma’s handmade sweaters when you think of knitwear? Or have recent trends influenced you, so that the term now conjures images of bored models knitting away backstage, hipster style? Well, neither notion even comes close to describing the aura of high-end, übercool design surrounding Sandra Backlund. The Swedish designer had a cult following even before she started to produce her intricate creations, and now that she’s finally taken the leap for the summer season, we’re sure she’ll be a force to be reckoned with by the end of the year. www.sandrabacklund.com

Poetry of design

Charlotte Lancelot’s dream universe

Belgium might be synonymous with ‘fashion’ for many people, but perhaps because of this, few seem to take notice of the other brilliant design efforts from this small but creative country. Since graduating in 2003, Charlotte Lancelot has been busy making her name as a product designer, with items such as her plywood and foam conical chairs and her felt floor, which is available as a kit. www.charlottelancelot.com

Trend: Retro romance

We’re in love – with lacy dresses and heart-shaped accessories

Whether it’s your life, lover, mother or best friend you love, this summer you’re allowed – even encouraged – to quite literally wear your heart on your sleeve. The growing popularity of sentimental jewellery is a clear example of this trend: Belgian designer Anne Zellien made romantic medallions and engraved pendants her trademark from the beginning, but others are quickly following in her footsteps, dreaming up new ways to express feelings through a delicate bijou. But why stop at a detail, if your entire outfit could be an indication of your lovey-dovey state of mind? At Primark – which recently opened it’s first Belgian store in Liège – there’s an abundance of lacy dresses and heart-shaped accessories, all at very affordable prices. Which is a good thing, because none of us can know how long love will last… www.annezellien.be; primark.com

Super sunnies

RetroSuperFuture puts rival brands in the shade

Some sunglasses get all of the attention, but when a few brands are hyped to the max, it’s time to start looking for a new cool label. RetroSuperFuture seems to have all of the qualities one might look for: it’s Italian, handmade, has a nifty name and a very hip blog announcing limited editions and collaborations. These sell out fast, so if you’re keen to have a more exclusive piece it’s essential to check the website regularly. Prices range from €85 to €150 for the main collection, but can be higher for special editions. www.retrosuperfuture.com

Eco-centric design

From unwanted waste to wearable art

Upon moving to London from his native Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, what really struck Walter Raes was the amount of stuff being thrown away. Inspired by these rejects of society, he turned his artistic mind to creating something new and beautiful from garbage. The result is not fashion, but wearable art: a bomber jacket made from trainers, a dress of recycled audio tapes, or three pairs of boots transformed into a jacket. The late Isabella Blow referred to his work in her article ‘Avant Garbage’, understanding ahead of anyone else that Walter was an icon of ‘green’ culture before it became a popular gimmick. Pop into the Milk boutique in London’s Shoreditch to see his latest creations. www.walterworks.co.uk

Picture this

Behind the scenes with Olivier Theyskens

Photographer Julien Claessens met Olivier Theyskens during their studies at La Cambre. The latter quit the Brussels art school to wow the fashion world with his edgy designs, and Claessens followed him on his steep climb up the fashion ladder to document every backstage moment, leading up to the presentation of a new collection.

The result is a visual narrative that shows a previous unseen side of the famous designer. Olivier Theyskens: The Other Side of the Picture, Regis Durand, Assouline, €99. www.assouline.com

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