Temporary store Sablon, Brussels

in 2023 we opened a pop-up store at Rue Charles Hanssens 15 in Sablon, Brussels. The space presented the Lies Mertens collection alongside several collaborations, allowing the objects to be shown together and in relation to one another. The pop-up functioned as a temporary place to encounter the work, with a small team present to guide visitors through the collections and selected limited pieces.

The location placed the pop-up next to the boutique of Céline, founder of the label JA N UE. The proximity was not incidental. A year earlier, during a stay in Normandy, Lies and Céline came across two vacant boutiques in an old city centre and spoke about the idea of working side by side one day. All clothing shown in the photographs is by JA N UE.

For the interior of the pop-up store we worked with a diverse combination of materials. We incorporated as many reused materials as possible. The modular furniture originates from previous pop-ups created by Atelier Bontekoe Van Put and has been given a new layer of paint. The counter has been handmade by our colleague Leni. The metal originates from an old table, the wood comes from her atelier.

For the window display we worked together with Cédric Etienne, founder of Corkinho, aiming to elevate stillness in contemplative atmospheres. The window display is fully made out of cork. The material fits well with the pop-up store due to the visible tactility and unique patina. 

The seat inside the store originates from a previous pop-up, however Lies created a new cover with residual cow leather. The leather, which is in the colour Plum, is also part of our AW23/24 collection.