Chris&Tibor, Spiraling with the Best

So what do Romain Kremer from France, Veronique Branquinho of Belgium, and Juun J. from Korea all have in common?

What captivating force can draw these radically diverse designers into the same ring?

The Chris&Tibor collaboration project!

Tibor Matyas graduated from the London College of Fashion, while Chris Liu studied art management and marketing. Both went on to work as design consultants for Burberry Prorusum before starting their own label, which was born out of a natural quest by Chris to find the perfect gym bag.

Unsatisfied by the findings, Chris decided to take a swing at designing his own, which, when spotted by Tibor, was called a sure knockout!

What’s unique about Chris and Tibor is that they fuse history, style, and a love for their city into their designs, naming all the bags after streets in London or local figures of fame.

The 2009 a/w collection is entitled “the Krays Meet Teddy Boys,” which is based on the lives of the twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray—amateur boxers turned mobsters—who held London’s East End in their grip throughout the fifties and sixties.

As nightclub owners, the Kray twins shrewdly passed themselves off as socialites, entertaining figures like Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Diana Dors, assorted lords, and MPs.

In just four years since its inception, Chris&Tibor is already selling at 65 stockists around the globe. When it comes to bags, Chris&Tibor has spiraled with some of the best!



Photo top right Reggie and Ronnie Kray from Chris&Tibor.
Photo center left Tibor Matyas and Chris Liu Copyright Chris&Tibor.
Slide show 2009 a/w collection Copyright Chris&Tibor.

Veronique Branquinho & the Antwerp Six...or Seven?

Antwerp is a vivacious city located in the northernmost province of Flanders, the Flemish region of Belgium. Graced with centuries-old buildings, museums, art galleries, cafés, pedestrian malls, and great breweries, Antwerp is commonly known for its busy harbor, which ranks second in Europe.

I lived in Belgium for a little less than a year handling some projects that the European Commission had outsourced to me. What I learned at that time is that Belgium has become a breeding ground for world-renowned designers. We have all heard of Raf Simons and Liz Claiborne!

I also discovered that Belgian designers are unalike, the sole unifying factor being their individuality—they all do their own thing. But most interestingly, I received living proof that Antwerp is a major fashion capital.

The city is home to the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts, which was founded by a painter in 1663, immediately attractiing numerous other painters from around Europe, including Vincent Van Gogh. Then after three hundred years of its founding, Fashion Design was added to the program.

It was not long until the Academy rose to international fashion fame upon the graduation of the “Antwerp Six” in 1980 and 1981. Among their ranks were Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dries van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene, and Marina Yee.

Since that generation, the Academy has not ceased producing newfound talent, such as Belgian designer Veronique Branquinho.

Born 1973 in Vilvoorde, just outside Bruxelles, Veronique graduated from the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1995, going on to debut her women’s collection only two years later.

Adding her menswear line in 2003, Veronique has been based in the nation’s fashion capital—Antwerp.

Sadly, however, Men.Style has just announced that Veronique will be closing her "namesake house. Meanwhile, she has been appointed as creative director for Delvaux.

Photo by Deeptrivia, Public Domain at Wikipedia.
Slide show from Totem Fashion, 2009 s/s collection Copyright Veronique Branquinho.