BEFORE & AFTER
THE CONFERENCE
Our before- and after-programming is offered as a bonus alongside the main conference. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. So be quick! More details on how to subscribe will be shared in the email following your conference registration.
Our before- and after-programming is offered as a bonus alongside the main conference. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. So be quick! More details on how to subscribe will be shared in the email following your conference registration.
© Copyright Axel Ruhomaully / D'Ieteren Gallery
© Copyright Dennis Noten Photography
PRECONFERENCE VISIT & RECEPTION
Sunday 20/09
You will be able to register for a guided tour of the D'Ieteren Gallery followed by the reception, or join in later and only take part in the reception.
D'Ieteren Group is a family of companies (D'Ieteren Automotive, Belron, Moleskine, PHE, TVH & D'Ieteren Immo) with an origin story that starts in 1805, Brussels, as a coach-builder & wheelright. The workshop took up motorised vehicle bodywork, became a distributor for Studebaker, Pierce-Arrow and Auburn, started assembling Studebakers in Brussels , became importer for the Volkswagen Group and then diversified into other activities (Autoglass - Belron, the legendary Moleskin Notebooks and Parts Distribution through TVH and PHE).
The D'Ieteren Gallery captures this vehicular history and is also the home of the historical archives, lovingly cared for by curator Danae Vermeulen and her team.
Tours (followed by reception), 16.00-17.30 (max 40 people)
Reception & welcome by D'Ieteren, 17.00-19.00 (max 30 additional people)
At 17.30: warm welcome with a few words from the people behind the scenes
POSTCONFERENCE VISITS
OPTION 1: MAISON DELVAUX
Wednesday 23/09
Delvaux is the inventor of the modern handbag, having filed the first-ever leather handbag patent in the world for le “Princesse” in 1908. Among its extremely rich archive of over 3,000 designs, Delvaux’s emblematic creations include The Brillant (1958), The Tempête (1967), The Pin (1972), The Cool Box (2018) and The Lingot (2022).
Official purveyor to the Royal Court of Belgium since 1883, Delvaux has always shared and celebrated Belgian cultural references and values.
Bénédicte Hayois, Heritage Manager, and her team are offering a guided tour of the Delvaux Museum and Workshop. This experience provides an immersion into the nearly 200-year history of this exceptional leathergoods luxury house.
Timing: 10.00-11.30 visit @ Delvaux
OPTION 2: EMAILLERIE BELGE
Wednesday 23/09
Emaillerie Belge is the last remaining producer of enamel signs in Belgium, as such a must see. The Enamel signs they made (and still make) are hot collectables. The traditional market for publicity, signage and comics recently saw a strong revival, while the company has also expanded it's scope by offering enameling services for architecture, furniture design and art.
Things to expect on this visit: vibrant colours, wonderful panels and an understanding of the production process and capabilities. Perhaps you'll be inspired to rework iconic advertisements from your archives into an enamel medium?
You will be able to register for a guided tour at the Emaillerie Belge in Vorst.
Timing: 10.30 - 11.30 visit @ Emaillerie Belge
OPTION 3: SAVONNERIES BRUXELLOISES
Wednesday 23/09
Savonneries Bruxelloises was founded as 'The Karak Soap and Perfumery Works' in 1922 by Emile Collin & Alexis Huylenbroeck. It passed on to the Nanson family who made soaps until 2010, then Vincent Laurencin & François Van de Velde who rebranded the soapworks into Savonneries Bruxelloises.
They became a 'Fournisseur Breveé de la Cour - a supplier of the Royal household' in 2016. Maxime Pecsteen & Maxime de Villefagne continue the exceptional story of Savonneries Bruxelloises today. Different owners through time, continued dedication to quality soaps made in Brussels.
Bastien Hachez will take us on a tour through the factory and tell us all about how they make their 'savons'.
Timing: 10.00-11.00 visit @ Savonneries Bruxelloises.
Take a sneak peek inside the workshop of Savonneries Bruxelloises