There is a whole world behind Natan. A universe that folds itself between the rules of beauty. On Avenue Louise in Brussels, where the headquarters are located, it is not just one man in charge. A whole team is busy working on the new collection, mood boards, fabric selection, pattern making, fashion shows and so much more. Without that team there is no Natan, even though it would be fair to say that Natan is the life’s work of one man: Edouard Vermeulen. To insiders and customers, Monsieur Natan. To his friends, Edouard.

How will we work twenty or even fifty years from now? Will we stay at home and have our own island of files and computers? Or will we still commute and work in groups of people? I was asked by Bulo's then CEO Christian Salez to interview fifteen (interior) architects about the future of work. A big task, but what an outcome. I loved making this book.  

Could I think of ten Belgian fashion designers that were worthy of an official stamp? Of course I could. De Belgische Post asked me to make a list of designers that would pass the test, and I wrote a story about each one of them. Featured in the book are Ann Demeulemeester, Maison Martin Margiela, A.F.Vandevorst, Natan, Veronique Leroy, Walter van Beirendonck, Cathy Pill, Olivier Theyskens, Dirk Bikkembergs, and Veronique Branquinho. 

Tim Van Steenbergen celebrated ten years in the fashion business when I popped the question: did he feel like making a book about his work together with me? He said yes, and we started dating. That is: sitting in his wonderful workshop, discussing work. Hard work. Tim is a multitasker, working on his own collection and at the same time, thinking about opera gowns, sunglasses, lamps and shoes. 

Young Belgian Fashion (and the Dutch version 'Jonge Belgische mode') is all about ten young fashion designers breaking out into the fashion scene. I chose ten newcomers: some of the designers mentioned became big names (Raf Simons to name just one), others have established their own eponymous lines (AF Vandevorst, Veronique Branquinho, Bernhard Willhelm). I just wish Jurgi Persoons would start up again. And what's going on with Olivier Theyskens?

The Bozar exhibition 'The Belgians.An unexpected fashion story' not just mentioned the Antwerp fashion scene, but also included Ghent and Brussels. Lannoo published a book in which many voices come together. I was asked to write a story about what happened after the Antwerp Six conquered Paris. It shows that Belgian fashion is not just limited to what the Six were and are doing, but there have been several generations after them. 

When a design turns 40, why shouldn't you celebrate? That's what Diane Von Furstenberg did when her wrap dress celebrated its 40th birthday. The result: a great exhibition in Los Angeles and an astounding book. The tome features a huge amount of pictures of wrap dresses but also of works of art dedicated to the Brussels-born designer. Diane asked me to write a personal story for the book, which I did. I feel priviliged to be part of 'Journey of a dress'.

This book brings together thirty of my best fashion interviews, published in de Standaard Magazine, in Elle or in Elsevier, over a period of fifteen years. Each interview is prefaced by a special introduction: a short text about how the interview really went, how the person was doing at the time, and where the designer is at right now. The book gives a clear, yet honest behind-the-scenes feel, which I personally like a lot. All texts are in Dutch.