Delvaux The Maker

"...When mentioning Delvaux, many recognize it as a 196-year-old luxury leather goods house, the oldest in the world. Looking back at its rich history, Delvaux was founded in 1829 by Charles Delvaux and has held the prestigious title of official purveyor of handbags to the Belgian royal family since 1883. Every Delvaux boutique proudly displays the Royal Warrant, a symbol of honor and craftsmanship that signifies the brand’s unparalleled artisanal expertise and its longstanding relationship with the Belgian monarchy...."

In 1908, Delvaux patented the ‘Princesse’ handbag. At the time, the patent covered over 3,000 handbag designs, all meticulously recorded in Le Livre d’Or. Among Delvaux’s most iconic creations are: The ‘Brillant’, introduced in 1958 ; The ‘Tempête’, unveiled in 1967 ; The ‘Pin’, launched in 1972.  With timeless silhouettes and exceptional craftsmanship, Delvaux handbags have long been coveted by European aristocracy.

THINGS TO KNOW AND HIGHLIGHTS 

• The Arsenal, a historic landmark in Brussels, was originally a military building before being transformed into Delvaux’s headquarters. The space is carefully designed, with atelier workshops integrated into the same area, creating a cohesive environment that embodies the spirit of Delvaux.
• Each Delvaux handbag is a work of art, meticulously crafted with exceptional precision by expert artisans who are driven by a deep passion for fine leather craftsmanship. 
• The brand sources premium-quality leather exclusively from renowned tanneries in France and Italy, ensuring that only the finest materials are used.
• The selection process for each leather lot is the first and most important step in creating a handbag. 
• The crafting techniques employed are highly specialized, using custom tools and unique methods. In some cases, artisans even modify existing tools or create entirely new ones to achieve the precision and refinement that define a Delvaux bag.

The SUR:REAL 

collection is a visionary creation, seamlessly blending imagination, intellect, and modern innovation into an iconic masterpiece. The term ‘Surreal’ is widely recognized, intrinsically linked to the Surrealist movement, one of history’s most revolutionary artistic movements. This concept, formally introduced in 1924 by André Breton—a French writer, poet, and leading intellectual—has left a profound impact across various creative fields, including fashion, film, literature, theater, architecture, and interior design.

The SUR:REAL collection stands out for its remarkable forms and exquisite craftsmanship. Notable pieces include the "Tempête" Le Chant de l’Orage and the "Brillant" Mini Nuages Cannetilles, both featuring intricate embroidery, each requiring 35 hours of meticulous hand-stitching. Another signature technique, Leather Marquetry, is masterfully applied to the ‘Pin’ Bucket L’Appel des Cimes, elevating it to the realm of Haute Couture artistry. Bringing a playful yet avant-garde element, the collection also introduces the ‘La Pomme Crossbody’, an apple-shaped handbag with an adjustable strap, inspired by René Magritte’s famous 1952 painting. This design captures the whimsical irony and surreal humor that define Belgian art, seamlessly transforming it into luxury leather craftsmanship.

Also See: Fendi Fun Charms: The art of mix and match with endless allure