Dating back to 1829, Delvaux pioneered the artisanal leather manufacturing process in Brussels, transforming a deep sense of wisdom into a "practical and extraordinary" craft. At the height of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, luxury brands flourished. Faced with the demands of new designs and lifestyles, Delvaux is always at the forefront of its time. In 1908, Delvaux invented the world's first luxury leather handbag for women, called "La Princesse", which laid the foundation for women to play a central role in society.
Ingenuity and craftsmanship
Jean-Marc Loubier, CEO of Delvaux, said: "Our philosophy is to combine heritage with design, craftsmanship and art to shape a meaningful future. We are willing to join hands with outstanding talents from all walks of life to break through the boundaries together, achieve cross-border integration and surprise, integrate multiple ingenuity, craftsmanship and identity, and ignite curiosity for exploration and knowledge. This exhibition will also fully demonstrate our common fun and pursuit of exploring the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Working in partnership
Bringing together the best of the best, the DELVAUX workshop complements the DELVAUX workshop to bring to life stories that share shared values and communicate power, and bring the entire event experience to life.
The virtuosity of the painting skills from the Van der Kelen School, the harmonious set design by Jack Flanagan and the captivating sound design by Frederic Sanchez contribute to the dynamism of the Delvaux workshops and the professionalism of the craftsmen. On the ground floor, artist Patrick Fourtin has created a home-away-from-home space with a discerning selection of museum-quality furniture and artwork to create a living piece of art.
l'Arsenal Workshop
Delvaux brings the magic and savoir-faire of his Arsenal workshop at its headquarters in Brussels to Paris, creating an immersive new world in a Parisian villa that makes you feel like you're in Brussels. The space has been renovated with a redesigned wrought-iron glass space unique to the Arsenal workshop, which is radiant and offers a unique view to the sky, masterfully presented by Van der Kelen, the only school that still teaches the traditional art of hand-painting.
Similarly, the heart of the Delvaux atelier – artisans, leather and tools – has found a new home in Paris. Here, at Delvaux's iconic Brillant Arsenal, the intricate weaving of leather meets the painstaking art of hand-painted leather, presenting three masterpieces of art created on site.
l’airess
The exhibition takes the viewer on a journey through time, presenting the extraordinary wisdom and craftsmanship of the 19th century, the essence of which is timeless, and continues to inspire the development of the Delvaux brand. Paying homage to Art Deco, the new L'Airess is emerging from the Delvaux **ia Airess (1946). A design revolution for lightweight mobility, the perforated aluminium interior is a distinctive reimagined modernist finish that has become the hallmark of this classic shopper pouch. The new L'Airess is made of calfskin, which is soft and practical. The trapezoidal design of the pouch features a precise circular waterjet cut, symbolizing Delvaux's constant quest for innovative luxury design and pioneering spirit.
caprice et caprices
The Caprice collection brings the exhibition to a climax. Its top handle has an elegantly sturdy silhouette that symbolizes the most extreme and captivating craftsmanship of Delvaux. Rediscovered for the first time in Elizabeth Taylor's posthumous collection, Caprice exemplifies the perfect mastery of imagination and rigor in the Delvaux workshop.
The final stop of the exhibition is a phalanx of 85 Caprice bags, arranged in military formations on their respective pedestals. The 70 pieces in black Box Calf leather are complemented by a single row of art, elevating the bag to a rare art form: 15 limited-edition Caprice bags are sculptures that showcase the authentic craftsmanship of malachite, glass, antelope, hammered steel, crystal and faience. Surrounded by a magnificent canvas of marble panels, the space was painted day by day over the course of a week, giving the space a new look.
With such extraordinary design and creative collaborations, delvaux pushes the art of craftsmanship to the extreme, transcending contemporary luxury standards.