Amid the festive season, Belgian designer An Vandenberk offers a different approach to gifting, transforming leather into lasting works of art and giving cherished pieces a new life.
When a gift becomes a future heirloom
The final weeks of the year have a way of bringing attention back to what endures, what is worth honouring, and what we choose to carry into the future. Increasingly, this season inspires a return to objects that hold personal meaning, artistic value and emotional resonance.
In her Brussels atelier, Belgian leather artist and designer An Vandenberk creates pieces that embody this philosophy. Her work extends beyond craftsmanship into design-led, wearable art, with each piece conceived as a one-of-a-kind creation shaped in close dialogue with the client.
The atmosphere of the atelier is warm, intentional and calm, offering visitors a rare moment of pause. Here, design begins with materials: the weight of leather, the nuance of colour, the interplay of structure and curve. Clients are invited to explore these elements as one would in an artist’s studio, discovering combinations that reflect their own sensibility.
Alongside bespoke creations, An is known for her ability to transform meaningful leather items into contemporary works. A well-travelled briefcase, a cherished jacket or a handbag tied to memory can be reinterpreted into a new object that honours its past while taking on a new life. For many, this gesture of preservation and reinvention becomes the most touching form of festive giving.
Questions about cost naturally arise with commissioned work, yet the answer lies in the process itself: each piece is designed from scratch, crafted locally and never reproduced. Instead of purchasing an accessory, clients invest in a lasting work of art that reflects their identity and carries a story forward.
For those seeking a gift of intention, the atelier offers multiple possibilities, from bespoke commissions to limited-edition designs online, or the offer of an atelier appointment as an experience in its own right.