D’Heygere: the accessories brand keeping it surreal
A bracelet made in the likeness of an unlit cigarette; ear studs crafted to resemble diamond rings; bucket hats which double as hand-held totes and a cross-body bag solely intended to carry sunglasses. These are just a few of the pieces in Paris-based accessories label D’Heygere’s A/W 2019 collection.
The brand’s playful raison d'etre is unsurprising when considering the background of its Belgian founder, Stephanie D’Heygere. ‘I studied fashion at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and garment construction dictates my accessories,' she says. The Royal Academie is responsible for nurturing the talent of avant-garde design group the Antwerp Six, of which Martin Margiela is an honorary member. After graduating, D’Heygere would go onto work at Maison Margiela’s accessories department, before stints at Dior and Y/Project.
D’Heygere founded her namesake company in January 2018, winning the ANDAM Fashion Accessories Prize the same year. ‘Everything I make has a reason to exist – there is always a lot of thought put behind it,' she says of her concept-driven philosophy. Nonetheless, D’Heygere favours traditional – and wearable – materials (jewellery comes in silver, enamel and brass, with wallet-holders and gloves designed in leather). ‘We work with factories in Italy so everything is produced to the highest quality.'
Much of the label’s aesthetic stems from taking banal objects out of context to strange and alluring effect. ‘At school, I was really into surrealism,' D’Heygere explains. ‘Margiela was my first job so it was a big part of my education. But also many of the artists I like have been so influential on my work,' she continues, citing Marcel Broodthaers, Marcel Duchamp and Elmgreen and Dragset in particular.
Currently operating on a small level (its core team consists of just three people) but there are plans for expansion: ‘I would like to broaden what we offer – I'd really like to create eyewear and also shoes,' says the designer. A pair of sunglasses to put in that cross-body bag certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Hannah Tindle is Beauty & Grooming Editor at Wallpaper*. She has worked with media titles and brands across the luxury and culture sectors, bringing a breadth of knowledge to the magazine’s beauty vertical, which closely intersects with fashion, art, design, and technology.
-
Fashionable Christmas baubles to accessorise this year’s tree, from Bottega Veneta to Loewe
Selected by the Wallpaper* style team, a gleaming array of Christmas baubles for fashion fans featuring fantastical designs from Bottega Veneta, Loewe, Prada and more
By Jack Moss Published
-
Discover South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island: food, fun and beachside bliss
With natural splendour and a balmy, subtropical climate, Hilton Head Island beckons beach-goers, gourmets and golf fans alike
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
A look inside the home of George Homsey, one of the fathers of pioneering California modernist community Sea Ranch
George Homsey's home opens for the first time since his death, in 2019; see where the architect behind some of the designs for Sea Ranch, the pioneering California modernist community, lived
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
‘They have total freedom’: inside the Hermès Fashion Accessories Prize for young designers
By Jack Moss Published
-
Akris’ latest bag communicates aesthetics through function
Designed by Akris creative director Albert Kriemler, the new ‘Anouk Messenger’ adds to his growing range of discerning, artistically-inclined handbags
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Celine Haute Maroquinerie is an extraordinary celebration of Parisian savoir-faire
Drawing on the art of maroquinerie – leather-making – Hedi Slimane’s new collection utilises exceptional craftsmanship to create one-of-a-kind leather goods and handbags that are ‘cultural, personal, rare’
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Savette bags: ‘We don’t want to give up the idea of having beautiful possessions’
New York designer with a track record for creating stealth ‘it' bags launches own label – no surprise these handbag designs are selling out
By Tilly Macalister-Smith Last updated
-
Palm Angels debuts logo-splashed sunglasses collection
The skate culture-centric label launches its 90s-era range of unisex sunglasses
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Colourful sunglasses for cooling off in style
Summer's most eye-catching colourful sunglasses are found in a rainbow of seductive shades, and are a sure fire way for styling out a heatwave. Life just got a little brighter (and hotter)!
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Fendi Baguette bag gets artisanal update
The Fendi Baguette ‘Hand in Hand' project celebrates Italian craftsmanship, with adorned iterations of the classic bag conceived by local artisans from Liguria to Piedmont
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Advene’s debut bag is forever
‘We want our debut bag to stand the test of wear, weather, and time’
By Laura Hawkins Last updated