When you think of Moschino or Versace, you immediately conjure up images of Italian glamour. But how did these iconic brands ever end up in the BENELUX? The answer is surprisingly close: in Antwerp, with Luc Dheedene. A story of fashion in all its facets: contemporary trends, premium denim, athleisure and more.
What started with a job as an accountant at a knitwear company in Melle grew into a defining chapter in the fashion history of the Low Countries. Inspired by Vogue Italia and driven by curiosity, the down-to-earth West Flemish man traveled to Vicenza in his Fiat 500. There he sat down with renowned fashion families, with whom relationships were forged that still have an impact on the fashion world today.
What started as a leap into the unknown grew into a leading fashion company. Fashion Club 70 is built on passion, partnerships and curiosity. We celebrate this anniversary with everyone who helped shape this journey.
Brands such as Bikkembergs and Dolce & Gabbana broke through. The success of Fashion Club 70 was contagious and it increasingly became an international fashion empire. Scandinavian and American brands found their way to Fashion Club 70 and more and more Belgian brands want to taste the international approach. With 7 For All Mankind, denim found its way into the Belgian wardrobe. The athleisure trend was embraced by K-Way and EA7 (Armani’s sports line), among others. What initially started with only ready-to-wear, was expanded to include shoes and accessories at the customer’s request.
In addition to wholesale, Fashion Club 70 introduced an innovative retail concept for the Belgian market and started several catering projects. So they opened Verso, the first concept store of its kind, with the iconic Verso Café next to it.
At Fashion Club 70, the love for fashion goes through the stomach. Hospitality has always been central. The restaurant and bar on the main site of Fashion Club 70 form the beating heart of the company. Customers come there for lunch and bonds are forged. All this always with an eye for design and aesthetics: the offices were designed by Vincent van Duysen, the Verso concept by Glenn Sestig.
2025, the 50th anniversary of Fashion Club 70, promises to be a year with a golden edge. Under the title Up Close With, we make time to sit together with our most valuable contacts. We focus on the connections and people who worked with us to make this story come true. We also translate this into Up Close interviews with our experts, who have been at the basis for more than 50 years. The result? Stories and anecdotes that bring half a century of fashion history to life. Follow everything via our Fashion Club 70 channels!
Source: fashionunited.nl
