Ernest

Aurore Havenne and Michael Guerisse O’Leary share a studio that has now grown into an extended boutique.

Michael Guerisse O’Leary is a trained architect but reoriented himself to be able to work with leather. Among other things, he uses organically tanned leather made at one of Belgium’s last tanneries. He uses pieces from different animals, like python or crocodile, to make elegant little handbags. The former architect describes his collection as geometric and yet feminine. But they still contain a nod to his past. One basic design can be personalised with different (material) finishes. He and Aurore Havenne were both trained in “arts et métiers”. After a six-month stay in Paris, Aurore has returned to her hometown, Brussels. Her silver and gold-plated jewellery is very fine with minimalistic designs. Her work draws heavily on geometric patterns and design.

“We really enjoy bringing our favourite Belgian designers together under the same roof. We selected all the products so that they would be complementary,” we’re told. There are neatly displayed floral-print silk and cashmere foulards by Géraldine Bertrand on racks, and the socks by Escuyer will certainly cheer you up. They are the perfect match for sneakers or even a suit. The handmade office supplies by Atelier VO are almost too beautiful to actually write on. Between all the luxury items there are also some vintage accessories like crystal bottles snatched from dressing tables, and lamps and vases that the owners found themselves. At Ernest, a select audience will find a luxury gift ranging from 3 euro for a pencil to 350 euro for the larger items.

The decoration of the shop on Vlaamsesteenweg/rue de Flandre, which Michael and Aurore were able to open thanks to Atrium and their “open soon” project, is a mix of old and new. An authentic, 1940s glass counter from England is the focal point from which the rest of the shop was designed. There is a large wooden oval table in the centre of the space with a typical “old-fashioned” red carpet that belonged to Michael’s parents and tailor-made wallpaper with forest-like vegetation. The air is filled with a dash of nostalgia mixed with pure luxury. The high ceilings are painted in daring turquoise to give the boutique a homely, boudoir-like atmosphere. And men are only too happy about the vintage armchairs where they can patiently wait for the ladies to shop. Jot down 17 March in your planner because that’s when Ernest is having its official opening party.

ERNEST •••
Vlaamsesteenweg 57 rue de Flandre, Brussel/Bruxelles,
0478-92.18.43, 0472-12.06.90, Facebook: Ernestbrussels
ma/lu/Mo > za/sa/Sa 11 > 19.00