The pandemic has definitely been a hindrance for romance, many couples have had to put their weddings on hold, while other couples have delayed getting engaged because of circumstance, and perhaps you are one of them. Firstly, the APERTUS team would like to congratulate you on your engagement or your impending proposal, love is a wonderful thing to celebrate and cherish especially in more trying times.

An important event that should never be overlooked, is the selection of the wedding dress. Selecting a wedding dress is more than just a fitting, it is a process, a lasting memory in the making, and Valentine Avoh would love to be a part of this journey.

Valentine Avoh is the brand, designer, and name of her Atelier located in Brussels. The brand stands for beautiful and surprising fabrics, craftsmanship, originality, femininity, elegance, and passion. Atelier Valentine Avoh fashions light, refined and playful wedding dresses in a Haute Couture spirit, combining surprising details and timeless cuts.

Valentine handmakes every piece, so no two dresses could ever be the same. The APERTUS team got a chance to interview Valentine herself, and we are delighted to introduce the designer and her brand, hopefully you will find yourself engaging her for a unique dress of your own.

‘Tell us more about your journey to becoming the owner of your very own brand.’

Valentine: I made my first wedding dress in 2009 but I didn't start my brand immediately. I worked and interned for other brands and designers such as Alexander McQueen (Paris and London), Alexis Mabille (Paris), San Andres Milano and Marc Philippe Coudeyre (Bruxelles). I did that to perfect my knowledge and learn as much as I could.

I also worked as a seamstress for two bridal boutiques (Pronovias and Love Sweet etc ) prior to launching my first collection in 2015 to learn everything I could about the craft and wedding dresses. I then launched officially in 2015-6 with my first collection from home, and in 2017 I moved to my first atelier. In September 2021, I moved again into a bigger space.

‘What do you hope for your clients to take away when they engage you for a dress?’

Valentine: I hope they will take away a beautiful dress that fits their personality and style, but also a beautiful experience as having a dress custom made for is an intimate journey that lasts a few months to a year. During each fitting or appointment we will get to learn more about each other, I meet their best friends and/or family members so it isn’t solely about purchasing a dress. Some of my clients say that coming to my atelier is like a Spa treatment or a little parenthesis in their stressful day at work. So I give as much attention to the dress as I do to the whole experience.

‘What are some unique dresses that really stood out and will always have a place in your heart?’

Valentine: The dresses I made for Queen Mathilde of Belgium was a real milestone for me. I made them while working for the designer Marc Philippe Coudeyre (whose brand has closed since). It was a unique experience.

Then there was my first wedding dress ever, in 2009, the skirt was full of ostrich feathers which was very ambitious as I had never done a dress like that before. I was mesmerized when I saw the bride wearing it during the ceremony. This was really a pivotal moment which confirmed that I wanted to design wedding dresses, first because it was very close to Haute-Couture, and secondly because I loved seeing my bride happy in her dress.

Lastly, there is the dress I made last year for the actress Clark Backo in the American movie ‘I Want You Back’, which just came out last week. That was also an amazing experience, and a great source of pride as the movie was projected in a few movie theaters in the US and then was released worldwide on Amazon Prime.

Passion. Elegance. Know-How. Lightness.

Picking out a wedding dress is one of the most intimate and special journeys a bride would go through before her wedding day, and Valentine Avoh really believes in being involved in every step of the process. It is guaranteed to be a discrete and personalized experience, and if you have questions you would like to ask yourself, you can opt to make an appointment to visit the showroom in Brussels physically, or schedule a video call to have an open discussion on how you can get your dress to you abroad.

APERTUS aviation will be honored to be a part of your journey to the altar, reach out to us to charter your private flight to Brussels and we can arrange for transportation that takes you directly to the showroom. May this be a memory of a lifetime with Valentine Avoh and APERTUS Aviation.