The Flemish daily Het Laatse Nieuws reports that the Flanders Fashion Institute has given Queen Mathilde information about the many talented fashion designers in Belgium, in the hope of giving them a better chance to be included in the royal wardrobe. The message they are trying to deliver to her is: “Your Majesty, in our country there’s more than just Natan.”
Queen Mathilde often turns to Edouard Vermeulen of fashion house Natan for her outfits. Sometimes she uses another Belgian designer, Dries Van Noten.
“The Queen should be a good ambassador for fashion,” insists Agnès Wené of the Institute. “She should broaden her use of local designers.” The Institute adds that this applies also to manufacturers of children’s clothing. Belgian designers also provide the Queen with accessories, such as jewellery and leather goods.
The Queen will participate next week in a large fashion conference organized by the Flanders Fashion Institute. “The Queen wishes to be present to support the fashion industry, which is of great importance for our economy,” said a palace spokesman. On July 21, just before becoming queen, she opened the exhibition Fashion@Egmontpalace. It brought together the creations of six young designers who had just graduated from the Antwerp Academy and La Cambre Mode(s).
Feature photo: Michael Thaidigsmann
