From duffle coats to baby bedrooms, these brands offer something for everyone

Belgium has given the world many distinctive international brands. Our selection highlights the wide reach of the country’s enterprising style.

Ambiorix

Ambiorix was the leader of the Gauls, a man so tough Julius Caesar mentioned him in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico. It’s a also the name of a renowned shoe brand, founded in 1895. With a yearly production of 100,000 pairs of handmade men’s shoes, Ambiorix can count the royal family, the Belgian Olympic team and the Red Devils international football team among its loyal customers. It has more than 500 points of sale and flagship stores in Antwerp, Brussels and Hasselt.

Ardennes Toys

When wooden display maker 4Wood decided to step out of their comfort zone and create wooden toys, they had no idea what the future would bring. Launched in August 2012 under the name Ardennes Toys, the company’s first product was a kit of 44 items to create a medieval castle. An instant hit with both parents and children, it was crowned with the ‘toy of the year’ award. Nowadays several wooden castles and villages have been added and are available from retailers all over the country.

Bister

The Bister company was founded in 1926 by François Bister, a chicory roaster. In 1930, he took over a neighbouring mustard factory and its secret recipe for the famous ‘L’Impériale’ mustard, which was sold in grenade shaped jars. Today, the family-run Bister is Belgium’s largest mustard producer, with a range of 20 mustard varieties, pickled onions, gherkins and capers, oils and vinegars, and even a Bister beer.

Delvaux

Le Brillant, Le Tempête, Le Madame – these are the names of some of Delvaux’s most famous handbags. The luxury leather goods brand was founded in 1892 in Brussels, which makes it the oldest fine leather house in the world. Known and loved for their craftsmanship and eye for detail, the bags and wallets are popular with all generations. Vintage and second-hand Delvaux bags are much sought-after too, and their quality lasts for ages.

Happy Paper

While shopping for a birthday party or family dinner at your local super market, you’ve probably already picked up some paper napkins, plates or table runners by Happy Paper. This company has been around for over 40 years, enough time to have expanded their range from napkins to all things table-related made from paper. Happy Paper releases two collections per year that are available at supermarkets in Belgium and further afield.

Ice Watch

With its range of bright colours and affordable price tags, Ice Watch didn’t need much time to become a best-selling time teller. Owner Jean-Pierre Lutgen registered his brand in 2006. The popular watches are sold at a recommended retail price of €60-200 from (online) shops all over the world and come wrapped in a handy money box.

Noukie’s

Soft baby blue and beige stuffed toys were the first items released by Noukie’s in 1996. Two years later, the baby brand came up with bed linen and pajamas as well. In 2004, the first shops opened, first in Brussels, later in Paris. Nowadays, Noukie’s sells entire bedrooms as well, in 32 countries. The soft cuddly toys are still among the most popular and best-selling items.

Scabal

Scabal stands for Sociéte Commerciale Anglo-Belgo-Allemande et Luxembourgeoise. Founded by Otto Hertz in 1946, this company started off selling cloths and fabric. In the 60s, Scabal opened a shop on London’s famous Savile Row and in 1974 the brand launched its own prêt-à-porter suits: perfectly cut and available in more than 5,000 different fabrics (many of which come from Scabal’s own weaving mill in Huddersfield, West-Yorkshire).

Van de Velde

The name Van de Velde might not ring a bell right away, but you’ve probably heard of lingerie brands Prima Donna and Marie Jo? They are Belgian labels, part of the Van de Velde group. It all began in 1919, when Margaretha and Achiel Van de Velde started a corset business. Today, the Van de Velde labels are sold and loved all over Europe, North America and recently, China as well.

Duffle Coat

Along with the trench coat and the parka, the duffle coat must be one of the most recognisable items of outerwear. It’s made from a coarse woolen fabric and features wooden toggles instead of buttons or a zipper. But did you know duffle refers to Duffel, a town in the province of Antwerp? That’s where for centuries, this rough material was made. It left its traces in language as well: the Dutch verb ‘induffelen’ means ‘to wrap up against the cold’.

This article was first published in The Bulletin Best of Belgium 2014