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Welcome to Atelier isabelle, where creativity knows no bounds and community thrives.

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Our mission is to provide a welcoming space for creatives to play, collaborate, and bring their designs to life. The fantastic thing about a shared creative space is the cross-pollination of ideas. By fostering an environment where ideas freely flow and intersect, we witness the magic of collective creativity, where each individual contribution enriches the whole.

Atelier isabelle isn't just a space to create; it's a community hub where like-minded spirits come together through shared passions. In a world increasingly disconnected, we recognize the importance of in-person social interaction, building lasting connections while nurturing our creative endeavours.

My journey to establishing Atelier isabelle began as an expat bidding farewell to an established network of creatives. In rebuilding this community, I discovered a societal hunger for genuine human connection and saw a need for a shared creative space. In this thought process, I mixed my years of extensive knowledge of the clothing industry and a love of working with people. Thus, sparking the concept of Atelier isabelle.
​Initially, I focussed on teaching children but soon connected with an unexpectedly large number of interested and interesting adults. I re-established my atelier in 2022, researched the industry, learnt Dutch and gradually built up confidence to commit 100% of my energy to my dream. In April 2024, with the acquisition of our new home, I took the plunge and can now start hosting larger workshops.

Space is a precious commodity, especially in our quaint country. At Atelier isabelle, we're proud to offer a sanctuary where creatives can unleash their imagination without constraints. Having the luxury of access to a space to play is something that I have always loved to share. Previously I hosted professional designers in my 120m² industrial studio to develop full seasonal collections, now I’d love to host you and your friends for a Saturday workshop in my 40m² atelier to make a tote bag :)
Years of working in retail have shown me the devaluation of clothing and a disconnect with where or how the pieces that we wrap our bodies in are made. Though teaching you how to make your own cocoon you’ll realise the vast amount of craftmanship and time that goes into producing a pair of pants. I am a proud supporter of the Fashion Revolution and hope to inspire a shift towards more conscious fashion consumption.
Join us at Atelier isabelle and embark on a journey of self-expression, collaboration, and empowerment. Together, let's redefine the way we create and appreciate fashion.
About your host

Hi I'm Isabelle...

a clothing designer who moved from Johannesburg, South Africa to the beautiful city of Haarlem in the Netherlands in 2021. I speak English, Afrikaans and a fair amount of Dutch.
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I've been sewing and designing for as long as I can remember inspired by my artistic mother, creative grandmother and a host of mentors. They inspired a passion for knowledge sharing and a drive to create beautiful things.

In my previous life I was the designer for a women's fashion brand SIES!isabelle that exhibited at South African Fashion Week and the owner of a chain of independent fashion boutiques retailing some of South Africa's most talented designers. I managed an in-house production studio producing 300 units of clothing per week and sustaining 8 families. I hosted internships and mentored young designers creating a network of designers that could support and assist one another.
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