True transformation begins with a deep, almost silent pull towards something greater, a pull that Jean Marc Loubier has followed throughout his journey with Maison Delvaux. As the CEO of this revered house, Loubier’s path reflects a seamless fusion of art, history, and craftsmanship, each element guiding him toward a vision that transcends the ordinary. For Loubier, a handbag is no mere accessory. 

It is a vessel that carries a woman’s most precious objects, imbued with its own souvenirs and sense of artistic expression.

At Delvaux, this marriage of artistic vision and heritage takes form in what Loubier calls “active legacy”. It’s about honouring the house’s prestigious past while layering in modern perspectives, creating something that speaks to both the past and innovation. “Women don’t just carry bags – they carry stories, memories, parts of themselves,” Loubier reflects. Thus, they become a heirloom passed down through generations, infused with personal meaning.

The CEO’s affinity for art was born early. At a young age, long before most would even consider such a choice, he acquired his first painting, setting the stage for a lifelong love affair with the world’s most captivating artistic movements. This wasn’t just a collection of beautiful objects but a quest to understand the deeper cultural forces that shape our world. His journey has always been one of exploration, constantly seeking out the connections between legacy, creativity, and the overarching human experience.

This passion for discovery drives him to reimagine what a luxury brand can be. Without clinging to nostalgia, Loubier uses the past as a springboard into the future, continuously pushing the boundaries of creativity. 

His collection of vintage political posters, for example, isn’t just a nod to origins, but a lens through which he views the world. “These posters, though fleeting, are profoundly evocative. They remind us of moments when art became a powerful force for change,” he says. Through them, he explores how cultural shifts are reflected in art, always with an eye toward how those insights can shape Delvaux’s future.

This philosophy shines through in the reinvention of iconic Delvaux designs like the Brillant and Tempête, which date back to 1889. Collaborating with contemporary artists such as Kasper Bosman, a new life is breathed into these timeless pieces. The result? Bags that transcend fashion, become works of art in their own right. “Art has no borders,” Loubier affirms proudly. It’s a belief that resonates through Delvaux’s collections, each one a technicolour expression of history and culture, carefully crafted to speak to the present while honouring the past.

This ethos is palpable at Delvaux’s Dubai Mall boutique. The store has been constructed to create a space that offers a deep, emotional engagement with the ideas of craftsmanship and culture. 

“Clients in Dubai want to understand the essence of what Delvaux represents,” Loubier explains, his vision perfectly aligning with the region’s tastes. 

Delvaux distinguishes itself not by size, but by its standing out as a leading luxury house. By prioritising exclusivity over mass production, the company upholds its commitment to the meticulous craftsmanship that’s executed in its French and Belgian ateliers. “We need to be very demanding of ourselves to find the right angles to make people connect emotionally with the brand,” Loubier notes about his business philosophy. The brand’s holistic integration of art into its collections creates a powerful bond between product and owner, transforming each bag into both a wearable piece of art and a statement of luxury. 

Through its famed bespoke services, Delvaux enhances its experience even further, allowing clients to personalise their bags with unique touches that reflect their individual tastes and stories. This combination of tailored luxury and art pieces deepens the complex emotional relationship that Delvaux cultivates with its customers.

However, there can be no doubt that Loubier’s determination to weave history, culture, and art into the fabric of Delvaux is an intricate part of how the brand ensures it remains a beacon of timeless elegance and innovation. Every bag tells a story and every stitch holds meaning. 

With each creation, Loubier has been able to redefine what it means to lead a heritage brand – crafting luxury heirlooms by living and breathing art.