Delvaux was founded in Brussels by Charles Delvaux in 1829, a year before the creation of hte Belgian state. Its heartquarters have always been located in the capital, now more specifically in the Arsenal. Since 1883, Delvaux has been a warrant holder to the Court of Belgium.
Delvaux is the oldest fine leather luxury goods company in the world.
Born in 1961, François Schwennicke is part of the family who runs Delvaux from 1933. He managed the company from 1994 till 2009. From 2009, he decided to retire from the position of senior management to return to production by opening a workshop in Saigon (Vietnam) in order to perpetuate the know-how of the company in an economically sustainable environment for those who wish to continue to produce handmade with the finest materials.
His philosophy :
The only financial reasoning leads to a loss of real value over time. Strategic decisions must consider the interests of all of its resources to find customers, employees, the environment and its shareholders. In answering this seemingly paradoxical constraint, the solutions are often unique and lasting.
What means luxury to you in one word?
Rarity
What are your models or fundamentals in life which you will recommend to others?
Time denies what you make without him – It is the rarity that gives value and flavor to everything
What is your criteria for luxury in order of preference :
Authenticity – Beauty – Quality – Meaning
What is your favorite luxury brand(s) and why?
Beside Delvaux (of course), Pateck Philippe (exclusivity-authenticity-communication), Hermès (although a huge development, they manage to keep an extreme quality in their leather goods) , Slowear (a different approach of clothing), Singapore airlines, Six Senses hotels (luxury and sustainability) .
Name 5 luxuries which are “indispensable” for you and why:
Indispensable : the beauty in all its forms (and free if you don’t want to own it!) – No indispensable but I appreciate : Great Hotels – Business class – Fine food and Wines – Shoes
Digital and Luxury. Love or Hate? What means “digital” for you ?
Digital (combined with luxury) means a wonderful opportunity for producers of authentic luxury goods (often small companies) to reach their consumers without having to open a flagship store on 5th Avenue !
How will be luxury in the future ?
‘Fake’ luxury based on marketing for people looking for an identity and real luxury based on know-how, quality, respect of people (those who make it and those who buy it) for those who want the best for themselves (and Digital can be the link between the 2)
