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Bebelle Atelier

Isabelle de Borchgrave Atelier in Brussels

Brussels based artist Isabelle de Borchgrave has just moved into her brand new, custom-designed atelier. The project, designed by Claire Bataille of the well-known Antwerp practice Bataille & Ibens, was the conversion of a series of 60's garage and workshop spaces plus a 19th century building, possibly a coach house built in the garden of one of the original townhouses. Isabelle has established an international reputation, not only as an artist and designer but for her extraordinary work with paper. Her collections of handmade and painted period costumes have been seen by people the world over. The collections range from Medici costume to the Ballet Russes and Mario Fortuny - she even made a copy of Jacquie Kennedy's wedding dress for public display in Boston. Everything from the lace and jewellery, shoes and hats, pearls and ribbons begins life as a simple sheet of white paper. She cuts the patterns just as a couturier would do, each piece is painted to imitate silk, velvet, satin, cotton or linen. She is currently working on costumes to be displayed at Potsdam to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Frederick the Great in 2012. The gleaming white atelier is an excellent example of contemporary architecture where every detail has been created to enhance the working life of Isabelle and her colleagues.