Elegnano founder, Katrien Herdewyn, was interviewed for the New Year's Letter series of "Made in" by Gazet van Antwerpen. You can read the full article in Dutch/Flemish here: https://www.made-in.be/vlaams-brabant/de-nieuwjaarsbrief-de-voornemens-van-katrien-herdewyn-elegnano-een-keer-per-week-op-de-koffie-met-iemand-die-ik-inspirerend-vind/?utm_source=LinkedIn&_unique_id=6791f8962b7fe&feed_id=76880®io=vlaams-brabant&utm_medium=social
A paraphrased translation of the interview in English is below:
THE NEW YEAR'S LETTER
The 2025 intentions of Katrien Herdewyn (Elegnano):
“Have coffee once a week with someone I find inspiring”
Throughout the month of January, entrepreneurs look ahead to the new year, professionally and personally, in 'The New Year's Letter' on Made in. Today: Katrien Herdewyn. As an engineer in nanotechnology, she founded the innovative fashion label Elegnano. Last year she celebrated the tenth anniversary of her company and there are already many great ideas on the table for 2025.
by Linde Schots
San Francisco
How did you start the new year?
In sunny San Francisco: in stilettos in the evening and in walking boots the next morning. I've climbed some hills with panoramic views of the Bay Area. Walking and nature help me to reflect, look ahead, and get new ideas.
What was your most important achievement in 2024?
Elegnano celebrated its 10th anniversary at the end of 2024. That also meant ten years of entrepreneurship for me personally. I celebrated by taking a week's vacation, something I never do - and have rarely felt the need to do in the past decade. I have had many great opportunities in 2024 to inspire young and old with Elegnano's story on stage in the Lotto Arena during the Flanders Technology & Innovation Final Festival to personal meetings with the royal family thanks to Belgium's 40 under 40 and the Prince Albert Fund.
The most important achievement of 2024 for Elegnano – and by extension since 2014 – is that we are still true to our values and create innovation in the fashion industry without losing sight of people and nature. For example, this year we redesigned our shoe boxes to reduce environmental impact and spent a lot of time with our producers in Italy to bring their talent and passion together with our ideas to keep pushing boundaries. What are your professional resolutions for this year? In 2025 I want to celebrate Elegnano's 10th anniversary by adding new models for men and women to our slow fashion shoe collection. As an entrepreneur, I want to continue to grow and step out of my comfort zone. Several ideas are maturing for a second act. I also started having coffee/tea once a week with someone inspiring who I don't know yet or haven't seen in a long time.
What are your personal resolutions for this year?
I've had the same resolutions for a few years now: at least 10,000 steps a day, at least one book a month, and buying mainly from local/national companies and brands. On the world stage, 2025 seems to be a year with lots of changes and that is why I am trying to focus in my own world on what I can contribute to making the lives of the people around me better - personally, but also professionally.
What do you wish for other entrepreneurs?
The power to stay positive, even when things go wrong. Positivity is not naivete; it is the ability to see opportunities where you might also see problems or obstacles. It is energy that pushes you forward and inspires your environment, team/employees, and customers.
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