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• Submitted on: 22/02/2012 02:25
• Submitted by: Siska Lyssens

Hannelore about Showroom Belgium "In it for the right reasons"

After London, Paris is our Belgian designers' next stop! During the opening event on March 2 that kicks off the Parisan of Showroom Belgium, two compatriots are in charge of the music. After a gig by David Bartholomée, singer and bass-player of Sharko, top model Hannelore Knuts takes over from behind the DJ-booth. As an established industry fixture, Hannelore knows the internationale fashio-circuit like no other. She's firm about how Belgium differentiates itself: "I think they are very passionate. You have to be to make a difference in these times of overkill. If you're in it for the right reasons, at least. But I think the Belgian always produce collections that show how they want to create garments that fit their aesthetic or fantasy world - not because they want to become rich and famous." The new generation has a novel way of dealing with things, she finds. "They have less fear. They grew up in a fast-paced world and know how to use that to their own advantage. They sell on-line verkopen, start their own shops. Great!" Diversity, on the other hand, is what they have in common with their illustrious predecessors: "The Belgian characteristic is the fact that there is no uniformity. There is subtlety and innovation, and eye for detail. And especially a loyalty to the own house style." To round it off, Hannelore has some tips for the participating designers. To succeed in the competitive fashion world - as she did - Hannelore adds "Hang in there! Don't give up and don't give in. My mentor once told me "we're the unfortunate fortunate ones". We don't always choose the easy path, but we choose for our hearts and with our gut feeling kiezen. Not always the easy way, but we have the talent to make it. In the long run it will pay. Be it with money or happiness, either way we win."     

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