In its home country of Belgium, Xandres has been a familiar name for decades. “It all began in 1968 under the name Andres with the development of perfectly fitting trousers. That was our first milestone, and comfort and quality remain at the heart of our DNA,” says CEO Willem Wijnen inside the elegant brand store that opened in The Hague’s Hoogstraat in early 2025. “Today we have ten boutiques of our own in Belgium, and our collections are stocked by many premium retailers.”

For further growth, Xandres is now focusing on the Dutch market. “We already have points of sale across the country, but with our own stores in Den Bosch, The Hague and Maastricht we can strengthen our visibility and present our identity more clearly, for instance by showing almost the entire collection.”

Consistency

The choice of The Hague is no coincidence, explains retail manager Liesbeth Delmote. “We design for the worldly, charismatic woman who wants to stand out with quiet, timeless elegance. Many such women live and work in this international city. They want to dress appropriately for every occasion, from business meetings to networking events and, of course, special celebrations.”

Although contemporary in feel, Xandres does not follow fleeting fashion trends. “Our collections form a coherent whole,” Wijnen says. “There is a clear line that runs from previous seasons into those to come, each time with new and distinctive elements. It is evolution rather than revolution, allowing women to build a lasting wardrobe.” Customer behaviour confirms that philosophy. “Once women discover us, they return,” the CEO notes with satisfaction.

Gold medal

The worldly woman Xandres envisions is well informed and therefore a conscious consumer. “For us, sustainability is not a marketing slogan,” Wijnen says. “We speak about it modestly, but we devote great care to it. EcoVadis awarded us a gold medal, placing Xandres among the top five per cent of companies worldwide for sustainability and corporate responsibility.”

For Wijnen, this begins with raw materials. “Take viscose, a beautiful natural fibre that nevertheless has ecological drawbacks such as deforestation and intensive chemical use. That is why we choose Ecovero viscose wherever possible, sourced from FSC certified wood and produced in a closed loop system in which chemicals are reused. Quality is another factor. Our garments are designed to last, and we actively extend their lifespan through preloved pieces and complimentary repairs.”

Green Friday

The most visible expression of Xandres’ sustainability policy is its participation in Green Friday, now in its fifth year as an alternative to Black Friday. “Our shops and webshop close for the day. We do not wish to take part in a frenzy driven by overconsumption. Instead, we bring our teams together to repair hundreds of garments in the Xandres atelier. We also raise awareness among our staff, who in turn share that knowledge with customers in store.”

According to Delmote, close contact with customers also provides valuable insights, particularly regarding sizing. “Seventy per cent of our collection is available from size 34 to 56. That sometimes requires technical adjustments, but we gladly make them because we believe women of every shape and size deserve beautiful clothing. Women with average sizes appreciate this just as much. You might call it a sense of solidarity. They also value being able to shop together with a friend in one place.”

Europe

With three Dutch stores now established, the Belgian brand’s expansion shows no sign of slowing. “Our aim is to open a new store in an attractive Dutch shopping city almost every season,” Wijnen says. “Next year we will expand into Germany and continue exploring opportunities across Europe. Becoming a strong European player within ten years is a wonderful ambition.” Delmote adds, “At the same time, local roots in The Hague remain important to us. And I can honestly say we already feel completely at home here in the Hoogstraat.”

www.xandres.com