The shape of contemporary gestures
The shape of contemporary gestures
Culture

Wed. September 16, 6:30PM

The shape of contemporary gestures

Award-winning designer Sarah Levy on fashion, craftsmanship and the objects that shape our lives

Ten years ago, Sarah Levy left a career in architecture to rethink one of fashion’s most overlooked objects: the accessory. Today, she designs for some of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses, including Hermès, Givenchy, Marine Serre and Patou, while building her own internationally acclaimed label from Brussels.


In this conversation with journalist and philosopher Simon Brunfaut, Sarah Levy explores how accessories have evolved from simple functional objects into powerful expressions of identity, creativity and everyday life. Drawing on her work at the intersection of fashion, design and art, she will discuss the future of luxury, the enduring value of craftsmanship, and the challenges of creating meaningful objects in an age of constant acceleration.


The evening will also feature a presentation of selected pieces from Sarah Levy’s collections, accompanied by video footage from a recent fashion show, offering guests a rare opportunity to experience her work


speaker

Sarah Levy

After a decade in architectural practice, Sarah Levy turned her attention to accessories in 2016, initiating a reflection on their uses, meanings, and relationship to the body. Her first collection, developed through an experimental approach informed by contemporary behaviours, was awarded the Prix Artagon in 2018 and the Public Prize at the Hyères International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories in 2019. This research led to the founding of her label, SARAHLEVY, in 2022. Alongside her independent practice, the Belgian designer collaborates with leading French fashion houses including Patou, Hermès, Marine Serre, and Givenchy. The dialogue between these two approaches to accessory design—authorial and collaborative—continues to shape her creative work. Her work has been recognised with the Accessory Designer of the Year award at the Belgian Fashion Awards in 2023 and the Accessories Prize at the ANDAM Fashion Awards in 2025.

moderator

Simon Brunfaut

Simon Brunfaut is a journalist at L’Echo for the Culture and Opinion sections, editorial consultant at the RTBF and professor of philosophy at ESA Saint Luc.
Start
Wed. September 16, 6:30PM
End
Wed. September 16, 9:00PM
Format
TheMerode Talks
Language
French (BE) / Français (BE)
Guest allowed?
Yes, 1 per member

Address

Event
Pl. Poelaert 6
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Parking
Parking Poelaert, Place Poelaert 1000 Brussels

Detailed programme

Welcome
Wed. September 16, 6:30PM
Start of the conversation
Wed. September 16, 7:00PM
A moment to connect
Wed. September 16, 8:00PM
End
Wed. September 16, 9:00PM