“The desire to go home that is a desire to be whole, to know where you are, to be the point of intersection of all the lines drawn through all the stars, to be the constellation-maker and the center of the world, that center called love. To awaken from sleep, to rest from awakening, to tame the animal, to let the soul go wild, to shelter in darkness and blaze with light, to cease to speak and be perfectly understood.” 
—  Rebecca Solnit

Pictures by Jonathan Sommereyns

 

 

Laauw is a Dutch design label which has been founded in 2014 by three young friends with ‘an idea’. The friends were inspired by the differences in cultures and characteristics of major cities combined with their love for minimalist and functional design. One thing led to another and a new label – Laauw – was born.

Travelling awakens my soul. I’ve always been in love with metropolitans like London, Paris or Milan. Currently my heart lays in Brussels, the capital of Europe. Wherever you set your foot in this city you see, eat and breath different cultures. You either love it or hate it but I can’t get enough from this city.

The name “Laauw” is a reference to the love for minimalist and functional design. Laauw took the challenge to make the urban life more comfortable in an elegant way. Every collection is themed by a major city and crafted out of high-quality leather. By combining the Dutch down to earth mentality with the characteristics of different major cities for each collection, Laauw is creating a global journey.

That’s why I thought it was convenient to use Hotel Métropole as the shooting location. It’s a 19th century hotel situated next to metro station De Brouckère which reflects the global journey of every passenger. Cities inspire me, the movement, energy. That’s what drives me. Just as Laauw the hotel combines the urban and new with luxury and high-quality.

I’m wearing the MONCLOA Cognac bag from the Madrid collection. A high amount of students live in the district that is reached by the metro stop Moncloa. This area is chosen because the leather bag is ideal for students visiting their parents during the weekends and other kind of short trips. This leather bag is perfect for people who live in the city and love to travel.

You can buy the bag here