A showroom dedicated to Brussels’art of living in Dubai
An array of brands and creative Brussels companies showcased their products in a “Brussels Corner” in Dubai Design District, from 1 to 4 February 2022. As part of the Expo2020, this exclusive business-to-business event focused on fostering new partnerships in the region and showcasing Brussels on the international scene.
The Brussels high-end retail sector boasts over 60 leading brands with a turnover of nearly US$2 billion. From 1 to 4 February 2022, hub.brussels will join hands with Brussels Exclusive Labels (BEL) – which brings together the 80 most emblematic brands in the Belgian capital – to showcase several of these leading brands to the event.
A place to showcase our “Belgitude”
The Brussels Corner welcomed Dubai-based retailers wanting to find out more about the high-end retail landscape of Brussels and connect with brand representatives. All within the Dubai Design District, a dynamic creative ecosystem leading design, fashion, architecture, art and retail innovation in the region.
“I’m exhibiting in this showroom for a number of valuable reasons”, explains Isabelle Hamburger from Maison Vervloet, one of Europe’s few remaining manufacturers of high- end decorative hardware. “It allows me to reconnect with my customers in Dubai, whom I haven’t seen since the beginning of the pandemic, while meeting new prospects. We have some very interesting new collections to showcase and the design district is a great place to do so. More generally, a collective mission like this always generates great synergies.”
8 exhibitors to promote Brussels craftsmanship
1. Lunetier Ludovic: a one of a kind eyewear
Created in 2015 by Ludovic Elens, Lunetier Ludovic offers luxury handcrafted bespoke eyewear made in Brussels.
Lunetier Ludovic’s creations are designed to perfectly match the style and demands of each individual. Every single frame is handcrafted in his workshop… and ready to be flown over seas.
What did Lunetier Ludovic take home?
- A significant amount of orders for custom-made glasses.
- Promising Dubai prospects.
“I plan to fly back again to Dubai in May to follow up on the first contacts and the success of my products in the Brussels Corner. The work of hub.brussels is really paying off!”
2. Botaniets: Gin is the new chocolate
Botaniets is a Belgian distilled gin with a reduced alcohol content of 0.0%. Disappointed by the non-alcoholic alternatives available on the market, Alexandre Hauben took inspiration from the recipes and distillation methods of his ancestors to create the best non-alcoholic gin.
Botaniets is aimed at people who, by choice, for health reasons or to deviate from the norm, should not, cannot or do not want to drink alcohol. It is bottled in Belgium, in small batches of only 300 litres at a time.
What did Botaniets take home?
- Contact with the organizer of a local festival, with the prospect of participation or cooperation.
- Contact with local suppliers.
3. Gleam Gallery: talent is in the box
Gleam Gallery is a Belgian online platform founded to promote the emerging art scene, using lightboxes as a medium. It aims to generate a more democratic stream within the art market, both for artists and art buyers, with a focus on community building around undiscovered and/or recognized talents, and art-lovers.
This technology has been borrowed from contemporary art exhibitions and tries to keep a distance from decoration or traditional forms of photography presentation.
What did Gleam Gallery take home?
- A few meetings with art galleries.
- Work entrusted to a local photographer for safekeeping.
4. Maison Vervloet: beauty is in the detail
With more than a century of expertise, Maison Vervloet successfully marries local craftsmanship with an international distribution. They lead projects worldwide – small to large – from their atelier in Brussels. Hidden in an old industrial building, this Belgian company is one of Europe’s few remaining manufacturers of high end decorative hardware.
Since 1905, the company, now managed by Isabelle Hamburger, has created more than 45000 models, from Louis XIV to Art Deco to contemporary design. All the hardware pieces were created, among others, for bespoke projects all over the world: private residences, yachts, embassies, royal palaces, auction houses and major museums.
What did Maison Vervloet take home?
- New clients.
- Interesting options to display products in a local showroom.
- New partnerships/projects in Dubai.
5. Mlle Jadron: a Moroccan diamond
Flagship of the Belgian jewelry, Ihsan Jadron creates and offers, under her registered trademark Mlle JADRON, a line of artistic works in a refined style with resolutely oriental accents.
In 2016, after being elected by the Superior Diamond Council of Antwerp, during its annual international competition, Ihsan Jadron presented her luxurious Tajine, the perfect opportunity to combine and glorify both diamond jewelry and Moroccan culinary tradition. Then, she exhibited her creations during the Hong-Kong Jewelery Fair, at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and at the Belgian Pavilion of the Universal Exhibition in Milan.
What did Mll Jadron take home?
- An invitation to exhibit products at Artisita – Art Gallery & Events, in the Dubai Design District, as part of ‘Group art Exhibition – Future’.
- An invitation to an event in Marbella.
- Exposure on social networks.
6. Mira: when the canvas meets the lens
Created in 2015, Mira is the fruit of a encounter bringing together two talents: those of the painter Yvan Brutsaert and those of the photographer Laurent Van Ausloos.
Their common work is a subtle blend of both arts, in several formats: 3D, large frame, circles, lights and mirrors. A photographical and contemporary vision capturing painting as a landscape and transforming it to create atmospheres, play of lights and visual depth.
What did Mira take home?
- The sale of one of their most important 3D works.
7. Roseline d’Oreye: the Brussels silk road
Roseline d’Oreye is a professional illustrator who has traveled the world and worked in a wide variety of fields such as educational and children’s books.
The artist dedicates today her particular skill in artistic patterns and the use of color to the world of silk.
Roseline d’Oreye also works on collaborative ventures with well known luxury houses such as La Maison Degand, La Maison Natan, La Maison Roger, Firmenich Company and Sisley Paris.
What did Roseline d’Oreye take home?
- An expo of kimonos and scarves at a local concept store, following a targeted mailing to a large number of prospects, followed by a meeting in the showroom.
- B2C sales of products via its website.
8. Marie’s Corner: the sofattitude
For now 30 years, Marie’s Corner has been one of the leading international brands in the world of sofas made in Belgium. The company has distinguished itself by its ability to reinterpret European trends in decoration while offering a strong Belgian identity in its creations.
With more than 150 exclusive models, more than a thousand finishes and an infinite number of possible combinations, each item is a unique creation.
What did Marie’s Corner take home?
- Contacts with prospects in Abu Dhabi.
Visit the showroom from your living room!
You couldn’t visit the showroom in person? Do it in a few clicks, from your couch, thanks to our 3D showroom tour: an immersive and fun experience!
