This tale deserves a quick look back in time. It’s 1994 and Nathalie Verlinden has produced her first pair of shoes. She had just graduated from Antwerp University’s School of Art, was also attending a sculpture course at the Art Academy and was working in the store of Belgian designer Dries van Noten.
Indeed, this coincidental combination of art and fashion was what prompted Nathalie to try to make her name in this field. Without wasting any time, she completed a shoe-making course in Brussels, before setting off for Indonesia, where she made shoes for family and friends in a tiny workshop.
It was at this time when she was spotted by the Belgian atelier Prabel. Impressed by her extraordinary talent for shape and design, Prabel sent her to Italy, where her dream finally came true – her very own shoe label.
The real adventure then began in 2000 when Nathalie launched her first shoe collection. At this time, she was also creating shoes for renowned designers such as Raf Simons. Seven years later, she took another step forwards with her first range of children’s shoes made exclusively from vegetable tanned leather – which was no ordinary feat back then. Meanwhile, Nathalie Verlinden has made a name for herself, has won numerous design awards and launches several collections on the market every year.
Inspiration for her new collection came from Henri Matisse, whose style is reflected in the shoes in the form of colourful flowers and stripes, as well as in the unusual use of colours.
www.nathalieverlinden.com
