We Love Brussels
  • Urban Life
    • Urban Jungle
    • Photo Stories
    • But Why?
    • Smart City
    • City Branding
    • Seniors
    • Real Estate
  • Culture & Creativity
    • New Economy
    • Local Makers & Shakers
    • Illustrations
    • Fashion City
  • Discover & Meet
    • Travel & Tourism news
    • Foodie guide
  • Event Diary
  • Europolitan Trends
Social Links
Instagram 47K Followers
Facebook 45K Likes
Twitter 8K Followers
  • Our Story
  • Partnerships & Collaborations
  • Contact
47K
45K
8K
We Love Brussels
We Love Brussels
  • Urban Life
    • Urban Jungle
    • Photo Stories
    • But Why?
    • Smart City
    • City Branding
    • Seniors
    • Real Estate
  • Culture & Creativity
    • New Economy
    • Local Makers & Shakers
    • Illustrations
    • Fashion City
  • Discover & Meet
    • Travel & Tourism news
    • Foodie guide
  • Event Diary
  • Europolitan Trends
  • Community news
  • The team
  • Building the platform
  • Community of city admirers
  • Partnerships & Collaborations
  • Get in Touch
Become our contributor. Join the team!

Sign up for our newsletter

Get our periodical updates. Zero spam.

  • culture & creativity
  • fashion city
  • local makers & shakers

Creative city: eternal summer in Brussels with Richelle

  • Editorial Team
  • November 29, 2019
  • 5 minute read

As the darkest months of the year are approaching, we all dream about white sand beaches, palm trees and sea shells… As part of our series of interviews with creative people in Brussels, wet met with a young woman who has made it her mission to bring exotic feels to our grey capital through fashion accessories. Gaelle (30) is the founder and creator of her own sea inspired jewellery brand called “Richelle Things”. The young Bruxelloise with fashionista looks started her own jewellery line about a year ago: “I want to offer people a constant feeling of escapade, the feeling of an eternal summer, especially here, in our tiny cloudy Brussels.”. WeLoveBrussels met up with the young creator for a chat.

  • Could you tell us in a few sentences: who is Gaelle ?

Gaelle is just one other ambitious young woman from Brussels. After my studies in languages and business communication, I started working in a field I cherished a lot: fashion ! I have been working for some years for different stylists and fashion brands. And then recently, I wanted to give free rein to my imagination by launching “Richelle Things”. 

  • You are born, raised and based in Brussels. What are the things you like the most about your hometown ? And what do you dislike ?

Let’s start with the negative sides. The problem of Brussels I guess (compared to other big cities like Paris, London or Barcelona) is that everything is too scattered. It’s not easy to see the vibe of Brussels outside the little city centre. For me, it’s still too sleepy. 

I also think that more facilities should be offered to its people. For example, more public places (like museums) should have a free entrance. Most of the big cities have free museums and I think it’s the best idea to provide people and tourists an easy access to our cultural richness, because we have everything to make it happen here. Another example would be the city’s connectivity. We should have more easy access to Wi-Fi spots, again compared to other places I have been, we are some way behind.

But on the other hand, we are lucky to have the best beers and fries in the world. We can’t deny that we are known for our food culture, no? And I love to eat so it’s a chance for me to live in a city that makes the best waffles, the best chocolate and the best fries. Brussels has also some hidden gems and even after all these years I still discover things like a little street, a little bookshop or a little museum. There are so many nice places and it’s so enjoyable to walk around the city, raise my head and find in front of me a beautiful art nouveau building, a beautiful spot or a little green area.

  • As a fashion enthusiast living in Brussels, how would you describe the fashion scene here in Brussels ?

Brussels is creative and we got lots of hips and high-end areas with impressive designer boutiques. Also, these last few years, the amount of events dedicated to fashion has been booming. But in my opinion there’s still a lot to achieve. It’s important to continue to make efforts and to keep on growing in order to make our fashion culture reach a higher level. Working side by side with our Flemish neighbours from “the” fashion city Antwerp could be a great idea, right ? I’m convinced we have everything it takes to become an international key player in fashion. 

  • Even though you are a real Brussels’ city girl, you recently launched your sea inspired jewellery line. How did you come up with this idea ? 

I know it all sounds contradictory, but that’s the exact concept actually. Yes I’m from Brussels but I have always been addicted to sunny destinations and dreamy beaches. So for me, launching “Richelle”, a jewellery brand based on seashells, was an obvious choice. “Richelle” is an invitation to dream and travel. I want to offer people a constant feeling of escapade and I want them to wear a little piece that will give them the feeling of an eternal summer, especially here, in our tiny cloudy Belgium. In my opinion, there is a lack of exotic concepts in Belgium and in a way, I guess I wanted to fill that shortfall. Why would you buy your holiday’s accessories from American or Australian websites, if a hometown girl creates your own piece of heaven ? 

  • Can you tell us more about the creative process of your jewellery-making ? What is the inspiration for your designs? 

My inspiration comes from everywhere and everything. It can be walk on a beach or just by looking at someone wearing something special, watching dreamy pictures,… there is nothing specific. Literally everything lends to my imagination but it’s definitely my wanderlust that gave me the idea to develop the concept here in the most unlikely place to do it. 

Also, sea inspired jewels are current and trendy in the fashion world. Big fashion brands have been creating seashell jewellery accessories too. They mix it with their winter collections for example. It’s really trendy to mix everything nowadays. So in that regard, I’m also responding to a trend, a demand. 

  • What are the challenges you were/are facing regarding your jewellery brand ? Is it easy to launch such a project here in Brussels ?

Actually, the big challenge is to make people wear beach inspired jewellery. Brussels is not an exotic city, and most of the people here a bit narrow-minded and more traditional when it comes to fashion. They think seashells necessarily mean sunny holidays. Well of course you can easily wear seashell items during the summer but with “Richelle” I want to go much further: I want you to wear seashells at any time ! That’s also why I make seasonal pieces and special shots for specific events. “Richelle” is diverse, just as people’s tastes are. It goes through very discrete daily items to the big gold pieces wearable during evenings. You got different sizes, textures, colours that make the items unique and sophisticated. So it’s not limited to the little anklet seashell bracelet you are wearing at the beach.

  • What’s your message for the people living in the city?

Don’t be scared to break the rules, be enthusiast and don’t hesitate to open up to new trends. Be a little bit of “Richelle”. 

Curious to find out more about the dreamy, sunny and beachy world of Richelle? Follow her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/richelle.things/). If you want to meet the young creator and share your passion for seashells and jewellery, you can meet Gaelle during the Christmas Designers Market on December 8th 2019 in Brussels (https://brusselsvintagemarket.be/nl/agenda/118/christmas-designers-market). 

Photos by https://www.instagram.com/a_new_photographer_on_tour/

Total
18
Shares
Like 18
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Share 0
Like 0
Share 0
Editorial Team

WeLoveBrussels is a digital platform focusing on the city life, culture, creativity, events, amazing places, lifestyle, urban development trends and simple beauty around us.

You May Also Like
View Post
  • culture & creativity
  • travel & tourism

Art Nouveau gem: Hotel Solvay open to the public

  • Editorial Team
  • January 20, 2021
View Post
  • culture & creativity
  • Urban Life

New film explores the challenges of working in the Brussels’ EU Bubble

  • Editorial Team
  • January 15, 2021
View Post
  • culture & creativity
  • Urban Life

Sterling bookstore in Brussels to close its doors.

  • Editorial Team
  • January 2, 2021
Brussels Inspiration Bureau

Exploring the best of Brussels since 2014.

Discover more!
Our columnists & bloggers:
Aleksandra Rowicka
Addicted to cultural life of Brussels, fashion photography and dark…
Aris Setya
Indonesian living in Brussels. Passionate about photography. Love…
Boro Milovic
Boro is the founder and editor-in-chief of WeLoveBrussels. His interests…
Clara Mascia
Italian girl & Erasmus Student in Brussels. Graduated in Foreign…
Emilia Valbum
Expat from Copenhagen living in Brussels. EU + global politics nerd on…
Fadi Dalati
A urologist by profession, and a photographer by passion. I try to…
Karolina
Karolina is a blogger sharing stories on European cities, local…
kateinbrussels
I am Kate. I've lived in Brussels for 16 years and am still discovering…
Meredith @ellesbxl
Meredith Geldof is a Flemish girl who moved to Brussels and enjoys…
Tireless_Traveler
Nath is born and raised in Brussels but with a serious case of…
Download our free guide!
Incentives & events in Brussels:
Incentives & events in Brussels:
Missed our printed edition?
Press Club Brussels Europe
As seen in
25 most popular instagram accounts in Belgium

Get our periodical updates. Zero spam.

Instagram 47K Followers
Facebook 45K Likes
Twitter 8K Followers
welovebrussels
  • Our story & more
  • Get in Touch
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal notice
Brussels Inspiration Bureau. Your guide to city life, travel tips, Brussels events agenda & news.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.