Marylène Madou was established in Belgium early 2017, aptly named after the designer herself. Launching the brand with a successful collection of printed scarves, print still is the ultimate starting point in each collection. Every textile print is created in-house by the designer herself, exclusively using her own original paintings and digital illustrations. This is what makes a Marylène Madou print unique.
Marylène graduated from LUCA School of Arts in 2015, with a Master’s Degree in Textile Design. In 2014, she won the international fashion contest ‘The Silhouette of The Future / 2039’, curated by the Fashion Museum of Hasselt, and given the opportunity to pursue an international internship in Los Angeles and London, learning all the ins and outs of textile print design.
Her current archive of prints and patterns was picked up by art book publisher Stockmans Art Books and published in 2021.
In 2023, Belgian Press named Marylène as one of the ‘Limburg Six’, a group of six young Belgian designers believed to be the future in fashion. The name was taken from the ‘Antwerp Six’ and is a nod to the history behind it.
Brands worldwide have licensed Marylène Madou artwork for luxury collaborations, and hired Marylène as an art director in setting up different types of printed collections, acknowledging her as one of the emerging designers of her generation.
“It’s often a specific image that catches my eye—whether it’s an animal on a vase, a shape, or a color combination in a painting. My eclectic and colorful aesthetic is deeply inspired by a fascination with historic textiles and unique objects, such as vintage stuffed birds or design pieces. I love blending these influences with elements close to my heart, like private family gardens and Lemony, my dachshund. Color research and drawing play a pivotal role in my creative process. Prints, for me, are a way to build my own world and, ultimately, wear that world.” – Marylène
“The idea that I could combine my fascination for fashion & interiors with this never-ending love for drawing and creating … It was and still is the ultimate dream life to me.”
At Marylène Madou, we take pride in crafting our own exclusive printed fabrics, rather than relying on pre-existing materials. This commitment ensures that every Marylène Madou piece is truly unique, embodying originality and creativity. Our primary focus lies in collaborating with digital printers within Europe, who utilize eco-friendly inks. Digital printing not only reduces water pollution in the fashion industry but also allows for smaller production runs, minimizing waste and completely eliminating the risk of overproduction. Furthermore, we work with our manufacturing partners to recycle 100% of the minimal textile waste generated during production.
Our sourcing predominantly spans Italy, the UK, and the Benelux region, which provide the high-quality materials and exceptional finishing that define our accessories. For our ready-to-wear collections, we collaborate with a local atelier in Belgium. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to supporting local craftsmanship while fostering a deep connection between design and production.
While 80% of our products are made in Europe, a small portion—only 20%—is produced overseas. This decision is made with great care and only when we can ensure that the resulting products uphold our commitment to durability and longevity. Our aim is to create pieces that are not just beautiful but also made to last, reflecting our ethos of quality and responsibility.
We intentionally avoid working with seasonal collections, as this approach aligns with our belief in sustainability. By designing timeless pieces that transcend trends, we reduce unnecessary waste and promote thoughtful consumption.
We believe a fully sustainable brand is difficult to achieve, but for every choice we make—from sourcing and manufacturing to design and collaboration—we make sure it is grounded in our commitment to safe and fair working conditions, as well as a dedication to exceptional craftsmanship.
We maintain close relationships with our manufacturers, visiting them regularly to ensure their practices align with our values. Marylène herself works directly with the talented seamstresses in Belgium, ensuring meticulous attention to detail in every piece we create.
