A new space dedicated to the Leica universe has opened in Zaventem, near Brussels. Known for its iconic red dot, Leica has embodied innovation, German precision, and timeless design for over a century, serving demanding photographers. The iconic brand celebrates their 100th anniversary this year.
The new Leica Boutique Zaventem offers a space fully devoted to the brand, designed to let both enthusiasts and newcomers discover and experience the entire Leica range in an exclusive environment. This opening reflects the aim to create a physical meeting and advisory space focused on technical excellence, product expertise, and personalized support.
The project is led by Tom Joye and Alexis Facca, founders of 50.8 Shop, a professional photo
equipment store. With this new boutique, they extend their commitment to quality and service by
creating a unique contact point in Brussels between Leica and its community.
The meeting of two passionate professionals
Tom Joye, a photographer specialized in portrait and still life, and Alexis Facca, an art director and set
designer, co-founded the creative agency Le Silo. Confronted with the lack of suitable facilities in Belgium, they launched 50.8 Studio, followed by 50.8 Shop, a professional photo equipment store. Their goal: to create spaces designed for photographers, combining expert advice, technical know-how, and creativity. They continue this approach with the opening of Leica Boutique Zaventem, fully dedicated to the Leica universe and its passionate community.
The iconic Leica brand
Leica is a renowned German brand, synonymous with optical precision, high-quality craftsmanship,
and timeless design. For over a century, it has embodied excellence in photography. Mostly
manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany, Leica cameras stand out for their robust construction, ease of use,
and unique image rendering, appreciated for its distinctive visual signature. From the start, Leica has been a reference in photography thanks to its technical innovations and product quality. Notably, Leica introduced the 24×36 mm format (also called “full frame”) with the Leica I in 1925, revolutionizing portable photography.
Leica Celebrates 100 Years in 2025
In 2025, the iconic Leica brand celebrates its 100th anniversary — a century of excellence, optical
precision, and innovation serving photographers worldwide. It was in 1925, at the Leipzig Spring Fair,
that Leica introduced the Leica I for the first time — a revolutionary camera that marked the beginning
of 35mm photography as we know it today. This date symbolizes the start of a unique legacy in the
history of imaging.
To commemorate this milestone, Leica has released several limited editions:
– The D-Lux 8 “100 Years of Leica”
– The SOFORT 2 “100 Years of Leica”
– The M11-D “100 Years of Leica” collector’s set
Additionally, Leica published the book 100 Leica Stories, which traces the brand’s history through rare
pieces, major technical advances, significant stories, and iconic images that have shaped the Leica
legend. The limited editions are available at the Leica Boutique Zaventem:
https://www.fiftypointeight.shop/en/announcement/100-years-of-leica
