DATE
05 November 2025
TEXT
Jasper Gramsma
IMAGE
Brian Mul
F.G. van den Heuvel sees a future in tradition
F.G. van den Heuvel is synonymous with The Hague. The fashion shop for real gentlemen has been located at the intersection of Lange Voorhout and Hoge Nieuwstraat for almost 125 years. With its authentic wooden display cases, the warm colours and the classic clothing, time seems to have stood still.
DATE
05 November 2025
TEXT
Jasper Gramsma
IMAGE
Brian Mul
F.G. van den Heuvel sees a future in tradition
F.G. van den Heuvel is synonymous with The Hague. The fashion shop for real gentlemen has been located at the intersection of Lange Voorhout and Hoge Nieuwstraat for almost 125 years. With its authentic wooden display cases, the warm colours and the classic clothing, time seems to have stood still.
But appearances can be deceiving. After a quarter of a century of loyal service, Edwin Schimmer (52) saved the business in the nick of time at the end of 2023. He found investors among the “friends of this institute” and is now at the helm.“I immediately revived Mr Frans van den Heuvel’s tradition,” says the equally impeccable and eccentric Schimmer. “What’s it all about? Back to combinations in the right colours and fits. Not fashionable blah-blah, but unpretentious and stylish. That means trousers, jackets and sleeves at the right length, and shirts that are not so tight that the buttons pop off when you sit down. Exactly why the nobility and the old money from all over Europe have been coming to us for generations.”
Vintage watches
As a lover of beautiful things – “I was raised with beauty” – Schimmer travels all over the world looking for the right pieces for his collection. “I was recently in Barcelona and Colombia to buy hats.” Then, decisively, “I choose only the most beautiful and the highest quality.” The latest acquisitions are the vintage watches he comes across on his searches and one of which, in addition to his rings and a bracelet, he also wears himself. “We never had these before, but it is wonderful that you can choose a beautiful watch to complete your outfit.”
“Not fashionable blah blah, but solid and stylish”
The brand-new shop owner also made his own mark on the historic building. “I consider this my second home, in the most beautiful place in The Hague,” Schimmer says enthusiastically. “The flair and passion are back, you enter a kind of dream world here, à la Kingsman (film series, ed).” The shop is decorated in Art Nouveau style, with Tiffany lamps, which are also for sale. “I do everything in keeping with the tradition of namesake F.G. van den Heuvel, who died in a fire in 1994. It is his legacy that I continue and feel intuitively. I keep improving myself.”
Craftsmanship
At Schimmer, everything is geared towards ensuring his customers leave the door dressed down to the last detail. “I previously studied to go into advertising, so I approach things from a completely different angle. But I fell for the style. Van den Heuvel subsequently taught me the craftmanship,” he explains. “Apart from that, I am myself – I help people as I am. I grew up with norms and values, with a sense of beauty and style. Everyone is welcome.”
Edwin Schimmer: 'I was brought up with beauty'
Notables from all over Europe and the royal family come to F.G. van den Heuvel because they expect class, style and quality for the right price. “I deal with that discreetly,” says Schimmer. “I don’t mention names, F.G. van den Heuvel is for anyone with a sense of style. However, I can say that Mr Jan van Zanen bought his ties here before he became mayor of The Hague. And that included the tie with The Hague’s symbol of the stork, of course.”
