Veronique Branquinho (1973 - )
Veronique Branquinho was born in Vilvoorde, Belgium on the 6th of June 1973. She studied modern languages in high school, but soon felt that this was not what she wanted to do. In her 4th year, Veronique switched over to the Saint Lucas school of Art in Brussels, where she took painting as her major.
In 1991 Veronique went to study fashion at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, from which she graduated successfully in 1995.
After that Veronique worked for several Belgian commercial fashion labels. However, she always had the idea of starting her own collection on her mind.
In October '97 she presented her first fashion collection in a Parisian Art gallery. It immediately garnered a lot of attention and positive response from the international press. Many important stores worldwide were interested in carrying this first collection.
In September '98 she participated in the "Biennale Della Moda" in Florence with several other designers. In the exhibition at the Stazione Leopolda during the second Florence Fashion Biennale, Veronique designed a long tunnel, with only mirrors on the inside. From the outside of the tunnel, a video was projected, showing a girl dressed in white, running through the woods. This film was repeated endlessly, which gave the impression for those inside the tunnel of being constantly surrounded by the running girl.
In October '98 Veronique won the VH1 Fashion Award for best new designer, an award that was presented at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Veronique designed two collections (Spring-Summer 99/ Autumn-Winter 99-00) for the Italian leather line "Ruffo Research", which were presented during Milan fashion week. This collaboration resulted in two very recognizable Branquinho collections, made in beautiful, supple leather and even in woven leather.
From the 5th until the 31st of July 1999, the Parisian shop-gallery Colette organised an exhibition with the work of Veronique Branquinho and Raf Simons. Several photos of the following photographers were on show : Raf Coolen, Bert Houbrechts, Willy Vanderperre. The photos showed backstage portraits of models during the Veronique Branquinho shows.
Six silhouettes of the AW 2000-2001 collection were presented at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York on the 11th of September 2000 in the presence of Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium.
On the 14th of September 2000, Veronique was rewarded with the "Moët Fashion Award" 2000.
In December 2000, Veronique was part of the Belgian trade mission to Seoul, which promoted Belgium in South Korea. A fashion show with several Belgian designers was organised during a gala diner honoured with the presence of Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde.
From January 29, 2001 until April 14, 2001 Veronique Branquinho participated in the "Flemish Fashion : Design from Belgium" exhibition at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
On the 19th of February 2001, Japanese cosmetics brand Shiseido invited Veronique Branquinho for a fashion show during its annual beauty congress in Tokyo, Japan.
April-May 2001 Veronique participated in the DESIGNERS DO DENIM-project. 43 Belgian designers, artists and others each personalised a pair of EVISU jeans. These creations were sold during a live auction and an Internet auction. The funds raised were donated to The Institute for Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, which used them for AIDS-related research.
From the 26th of May until the 7th of October 2001 fashion "landed" in Antwerp. The most important part of this project, which was under the artistic direction of Walter Van Beirendonck, was four exhibitions (Mutilate ?, Radicals, 2Women (Chanel-Kawakubo), Emotions) and a magazine. Veronique participated in the EMOTIONS (the first emotion with fashion) and RADICALS exhibitions (each designer presented 3 images on billboards in open air)
Several cutting-edge designers, including Veronique, personalised a Lacoste Polo. The polo shirts were presented on the 15th of May 2001 at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The creations were sold for charity at Colette in Paris.
On the occasion of the Documenta XI exhibition in Kassel, Germany, Veronique created a special white portable raincoat in a limited edition of 300 pieces.
In June 2002, Veronique Branquinho took part for the 3rd time in the official Belgian trade mission to Tokyo in Japan. 10 silhouettes of her Spring-Summer 2002 collection were shown during a gala dinner in the presence of their Royal highnesses Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium.
The 7th edition of the Albomoda 2002 festival invited Veronique Branquinho to show her SS 2003 collection in Moscow, Russia.
Veronique Branquinho showed her first men's collection in Paris in January 2003.
Together with 4 other designers, Veronique Branquinho was invited to participate at the Coke Light fashion edition. She created the design for a Coke Light can. As fashion accessory she created a candle in the same shape. The 26th of March 2003 the project has been presented to the press in the Marble Hall in Antwerp.
In August 2003, Veronique Branquinho will open her first flagship store in Antwerp, Nationalestraat 73.
your Amazon recommendations