Once upon a time …

in the ateliers of Delvaux’s Haute Maroquinerie…a lavish Christmas story was written, rewritten, edited, revised and perfected, just as behind any Haute Couture fantasy collection is a story spun out of hours upon dedicated hours, out of pins and buttons, and the proverbial “artisanal techniques”. But, in reality Haute Couture is an art. And such is Delvaux’s “Couture Exclusive Collection” —art, simply art. Melding its passion for innovation with the essence of fantasy and magic, the Belgian house explores the farthest horizons of its signature savoir-faire that has always defied the imagination. Created for the holiday season, these haute masterpieces of sumptuous leathers and dazzling details were not merely charmed into existence by the wave of a magic wand. While decidedly the product of enchanted inspirations, these precious couture-like pieces represent, above all, hundreds of hours of fine workmanship.

Taking its cues from the story of Haute Couture, the “Couture Exclusive Collection” is also a new chapter in the saga of a chivalrous, baroque, and fantastical universe that was hinted at in the Autumn-Winter 2017/2018 collection. Delvaux takes us even deeper into the fantasy, crafting four exclusive stories and translating them into four beguiling handbags. Inspired by queenly armour, the “Queen's Desire” is embellished with fine brass detailing that is fabricated by Swiss clockmakers and galvanised in France. This regal bag is soon to be desired around the world. The “Iron Shield” is covered in superimposed layers of leather scales as seductive as they are protective—like a knight’s armour, keeping the ordinary at bay. Bedecked in leather flowers dipped in black, as in the ravishing black heart of an enchantress, the “Black Beauty” deploys its petals, embroidered with a pearl and then stitched onto lizard, to bewitching effect. And lastly, a bag with a golden sun rising from the clasp and mesmerising any soul who gazes upon it, the “Golden Glory” incarnates a philosopher king fighting to preserve beauty for the sake of beauty, and symbolises the everlasting reign of excellence.

With transcendent and timeless flair, Delvaux transports us through the gates of a magical realm and into a sophisticated legend made of bronze finery, embossments, and embroideries of sculpted and metallicised ornaments—a fantastical take on the mythical series “Game of Thrones”. Tales of sheer invention and fantasy inspire these very real collections which are fashioned out of subtlety and perfection, without ostentation. A new format, the Micro, joins the iconic Brillant line. Micro—yes, but with just enough room to slip in an iPhone; la maison may be versed in medieval spells to charm and enchant, but you can’t say Delvaux is lacking when it comes to common sense and practical details! New accessories also join this fantasia of precious leathers, such as the Charms Strap—a Brillant Charms enhanced with a long crossbody strap to keep it close to the heart or at one’s side…like so many lucky charms that ward off the mundane.

This winter, in the Kingdom of Belgium, the “Couture Exclusive Collection” will be produced as a series of limited editions, a breath-taking alchemy of mastery, ambitious enough to rival craftsmanship of the highest order, and, as in everything la maison creates, there’s always poetry to spare.

The “Couture Exclusive Collection” will be available from November exclusively in select Delvaux boutiques.