Heritage
Gigue’s rich history
Gigue’s roots are in Antwerp, the Belgian city of fashion. Designer Jo Wyckmans was one of the first graduates at the Antwerp fashion academy. He founded the Gigue brand in 1991 and was the first to introduce the preppy look on the Belgian market. The style of the new label is characterised by pure silhouettes with a sporty twist and androgynous characte
The trouser suit as a signature look
Wyckmans’ talent, craftsmanship and, in particular, his emphasis on the perfect cut are a recipe for success. Since the inception of the brand, Gigue won the hearts of self-confident women who showcase their personality through their outfits. Gigue’s mix of Anglo-Saxon influences and French flair is unique in the fashion world. Jo Wyckmans’ signature look is the trouser suit: a smart, immaculately tailored suit combined with a classic white shirt.
A nose for talent
Wyckmans draws his inspiration from travel, art and architecture and has a real nose for talent. From the very beginning, the Gigue campaigns feature numerous upcoming models and young talented photographers behind the lens. The Gigue catalogues are a true collector’s item. An ode to beauty, in its purest and most natural form.
From father to daughter
Jo’s daughter, Audrey Wyckmans, takes over Gigue’s creative management in 2001. Gigue’s style becomes more feminine and distinctly elegant with more colour and prints and yet the silhouettes are as refined as ever. The Gigue brand stays true to its heritage: with pure lines, classic looks, rich fabrics and an eye for quality.
De Giguecatalogus: een collector’s item
Summer 1991
Jo Wyckmans travels to Kenya, together with photographer Fabrizzio Gianni and the American
model Carrie Coffey for Gigue’s very first collection. The first catalogue celebrates Gigue’s preppy style and proves to be a great success. The bar has been set high from that point onwards.
Summer 1994
The Israeli model Shiraz Tal flaunts around the beaches of Islamorada, Florida. The photographer Maarten Schets captures her in the luxurious Moorings Resort. The collection features light colours and materials, with a preppy touch. A key look is the trouser suit in a summery off-white version.
Winter 1994
Jo Wyckmans has a real nose for up-and-coming talent. Top model and Hollywood actress Patricia Velasquez is the face of Gigue in Winter 1994. She poses in dark silhouettes in the White Sands desert in Mexico.
Winter 1995
Jo Wyckmans selects the superstar in the making Niki Taylor for Winter 1995. She appears in front of Maarten Schets’ camera in timeless silhouettes, including an androgynous, dark grey trouser suit, Wyckman’s signature look.
Winter 1997
Thiswinter sees the launch of a new style catalogue and the usual exotic locations are swapped for a dark studio in New York this time. Top model Annie Morton and photographer Maarten Schets present the visionary new direction of Jo Wyckmans.
Summer 2000
The 2000s see the launch of 2 sporty collections: Gigue World and Gigue Sports. These lines prove to be a great success and are a playing field for creative ideas. Later, the collections are againreunited under the Gigue brand. You will come across this sporty touch in the Gigue collection to this day.
Summer 2002
The Parisian Caroline de Maigret is the face of Gigue in 2002. The casual locks of de Maigret are draped over a navy trouser suit with white blouse. This results in an iconic campaign image, photographed by Paul Bellaart.
Summer 2003
In 2003 Annemarieke van Drimmelen appears on the front cover of the Gigue catalogue for the first time. In 2003, Paul Bellaart photographs her in Cape Town along the Victoria Road, the famous road that meanders from the beaches toTable Mountain. Today, it is Annemarieke herself who is often found behind the lens. The former model is now a celebrated photographer.
Winter 2007
The Scottish Highlands form the backdrop for the Winter 2007 campaign, as captured by renowned photographer Paul Bellaart. For many years, models Laurence Debisschop and Annemarieke van Drimmelen feature in the Gigue catalogue and share the cover on more than one occasion. Their sophisticated looks perfectly match the allure of Gigue.
Summer 2014
The Belgian top model Ingrid Parewijck appears on the cover of the Gigue catalogue for 9 seasons. We travel the world with her the consecutive campaign shoots. The 2014 edition however has a thoroughly Belgian theme with Antwerp as backdrop, the city where it all began for Gigue.
Summer 2022
With its soft colours and silhouettes, the Summer 2022 collection ask for a romantic location. We head out to the iconic island of Capri, where model Cato van Ee makes her debut with Gigue against a dreamy backdrop.