Tag Archives: Meeting

Meeting Arnaud Wittmann, The Designer of De Greef

De Greef-Arnaud Wittmann-Interview-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

When I received the pictures of the collection Designed for Men by De Greef, I really liked the modern mix of black ceramic, white or pink gold, diamonds and nautical rope. And I wanted to meet Arnaud Wittmann, the talented designer of the house De Greef who captured our desires in this unisex collection (photos below). This collection’s alreay been a huge success just one month after its launch. 

How did you conceive this collection Designed for Men by De Greef?

– I draw first and then I select the materials. I designed jewels for men in leather and gold ten years ago. But the leather ages and I was looking for a material that resists everything and comfortable to wear, as the matt black ceramic. Designing a unisex collection, it was a little tickle the codes of a tradition house like ours.

De Greef-Arnaud Wittmann-Interview-Designed for Men by de Greef-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

– We’ve also had a great demand from our customers looking for fine jewelry for men for many years. A bracelet to wear with something else.

What inspired you and inspires you in general?

– The contrast of materials. I like the strict side, very pure. I draw from what works, not with the trends. We feel things. It is important to reinvent the wheel for creating new jewelry. I like working around the stone already cut. And I use fairly simple combinations of colors.

Arnaud Wittmann gets up to find two yellow diamonds, one of them sparkles a lot:

– The architecture inspires me too, the combination of lines and shapes. The work of the architect Santiago Calatrava who realized the station of Liege. 

De Greef-Arnaud Wittmann-Interview-Designed for Men by de Greef-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K     De Greef-Arnaud Wittmann-Interview-Designed for Men by de Greef-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  De Greef-Arnaud Wittmann-Interview-Designed for Men by de Greef-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photo above (left): A ring in weirdium (metal invented by a company based in Liège, composed of silver, platinum and copper), mounted on pink gold.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Many thanks to Arnaud Wittmann and his team. 

Informations   

DE GREEF 

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Visiting The Showroom of The Designer Christian Wijnants in Antwerp

If you followed my previous posts about my rush on high heels through Antwerp (Belgium) during the press days, here is my final stop at the fashion designer’s showroom and workshop, Christian Wijnants (picture 3). Last but not least! It is 8 p.m. something when I finally arrive at the showroom, during the walk my feet were so painful, I had to swap my sexy shoes for a pair of Converse! I really enjoy dicovering designer workshops. On the picture above: the mood board of the Spring-Summer 2013 collection, inspired by Aung Sun Suu Kyi and an imaginary journey in Asia and also a movie with Tom Hanks about the end of childhood and the beginning of the teenage years, projected on a wall of the showroom … Oops sorry I lost the title! Some prints of the collection were carried out in collaboration with a photographer. The materials are light and really soft: I really like several items like tank tops, “sarong” skirts and baggy pants! I will post soon a look book of Christian’s Spring-Summer 2013 collection (picture 2). L’invitation au voyage …

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2012, tous droits réservés. 

Thank you Christian Wijnants.

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FASHION, INTERVIEWS & DESTINATIONS 

 

Visiting the charming Hotel La Légende with Sophie Jonot, the owner

Often great hotels have a supplement of soul, like those who run them. In the so British breakfast room, I have an appointment with Sophie Jonot. This charming young woman is the dynamic entrepreneur and owner who successfully runs and with passion the Hotel La Legend, in the center of Brussels: “A charming hotel has different strengths of a chain hotel. Example, one our features is our courtyard which gives this side calm and peaceful.” Away from the clichés of a “family hotel”, the hotel mostly attracts a business clientele who appreciate the lively city center: 5 minutes from the Grand Place, 10 minutes from the Sablons and 15 minutes from Rue Dansaert.      

I am the third generation of hoteliers, but the term “family hotel” means a relaxed familiar service. Which is not the case here. We try to constantly improve, to overcome the demands of customers to offer them a better service. I ask my collaborators to much.” In her pursuit of excellence,  Sophie constantly cares about the renovation and decoration of the 27 rooms and common areas. Mix of antique and modern furniture, the style of the hotel is unique: “I project myself as a client. I’ve already slept in the rooms. Every summer, we close for renovations. I always look for what would make me happy, the small detail that makes the difference! When I travel, I discover other hotels. This is a chance to see in others that I can improve my home. Every detail is important.” And Sophie concludes with sparkling eyes and a big smile: “I’m happy doing what I do today. I think my mother would be proud.

Picture 1: We spend the elegant porch to access the entrance. Pictures 2 & 3: Sophie Jonot in the breakfast room, one of my favorite area. Pictures 3 & 4: One of the big suites with 2 or 4 beds. Some suites have a small balcony overlooking the courtyard. Pictures 5 & 6: I really like the attic studio on the 5th floor with a small balcony overlooking the rooftops of Brussels centre. 

Thanks to Sophie Jonot and her team. 

Hotel La Légende : 35 rue du Lombard, 1000 Brussels. Tel : +32 2 512 82 90. www.hotellalegende.com 

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Hotel La Legende: A Stylish Breakfast in Brussels, Belgium 

 

DESTINATIONS