Expo 1958 What else happened in 1958 aside the birth of Michael Jackson and Madonna? The world was coming together at the world universal exhibition ’58 in Belgium! A bit more than 10 years after World War II, this exhibition was the first opportunity for countries to come together peacefully to exhibit their country’s new advances in technology, architecture or culture to the other 40 participant nations. Brussel’s landmark inspires Brussels’s landmark “the Atomium” was created here and so was the iconic Delvaux handbag “le Brillant”. This sculpture in leather was designed and created by Paule Goethals for Delvaux , who worked with la maison at the end of the 1950s and then stayed for the remainder of her working life. Paule Goethals was a well-known interior designer/ architect and student to the late Henry van de Velde, one of the founders of Belgian Art Nouveau. The equally timeless and daring “Brillant” handbag, inspired itself from the futuristic and audacious Philips pavilion – “the poème électronique”, created by the musician/ engineer Xenakis and le Corbusier – which was also a major highlight of the expo. Can you notice the resemblance? We are regretting very much that the avantgarde pavilion is no longer with us, but thankfully Delvaux's energetic and bold lined le Brillant still <shines> on and keeps on reinventing itself. The Chameleon As a company over 190 years old Whilst Delvaux as a company is over 190 years old and le brilliant over 60 years old – it is re-inventing itself constantly. Le “# Brillant was adapted many times, it went from handle bag, to crossbody, from grand, medium, petit and mini model to charm. Yesterday’s Brillant is no longer today’s Brillant – certain sizes (i.e. le old PM), certain colours, certain finishes (passe poil then coupé net) are no longer available or have been re-interpreted. This is what makes the charm of the vintage “le Brillant ” – it is just not available like <that> anymore. Of course the redesigns are equally breath-taking and transpire a Belgitude that only a company that is older than its own country really can. However most impressive is really the obvious quality that these bags keep. Today le Brillant continues to decorate the wrists of Belgian Royalty, but you can equally see its incarnations of Magritte “ceci n’est pas un Delvaux” dress up the likes of Rihanna. The Architect The creator of the magnificent Brillant - Paule Goethals The creator of the magnificent Brillant, Paule Goethals went on to design a series of other well-known classic handbags with Delvaux – amongst other the famous “Tempête” and the Marronier, later reissued under the name Madame (with a single interior compartment). But she has created several other extraordinary bags, hard to find in the market, such as the Pouliche, the 5 o’clock, the Saule, le Maraudeur, to name a few… Paule Goethals was never predestined to become a creator of handbags or work in fashion, but as a student of interior design/architecture she could understand the little world of a handbag in its three dimensions down to the last centi- the last millimeter. At a time where computers were not used for mocking up such specificities and it all depended on the idea, a sharpened pencil and an accurate sense of volume her skill was essential for success. Her famous creation “le Brillant” has truly become one of the flagship models of Delvaux. - It really is a timeless, classic chic handbag and it re-invents itself constantly. One must ask oneself how many handbag makers care still existing after close to 200 years?The answer is no-other but Delvaux. How many can claim to have patented the first ever handbag?The answer is no-other but Delvaux. How many have such strong royal link?Try to count... How many brands have bags continuously in production for over 60 years?The answer is it is a very exclusive club: not many. Scoring high on this we count the Hermes “Kelly” created in the 1930’s, Chanel’s “2.55” created in 1955 and of course our all time favourite Delvaux's Brillant created in 1958. So hats off. - An overall impressive curriculum vitae for this all time classic. Several of Delvaux’s authenticated and restored vintage masterpieces can be found on our mydaydaybelgium’ site.</that></shines>
