La Fabrika’s love for events

When I opened La Fabrika 15 years ago, I knew it would be more than just a shop. From the very beginning, it turned into a place to connect. A hub where people came together to share ideas, discover new designs, and of course, have a little fun. Over the years our walls have hosted some pretty unforgettable moments. From expos to book launches, La Fabrika quickly grew into a gallery, a gathering spot, a creative playground where design dreams came alive. Here are some of the events we’ve throughout the years:

Donna Wilson, Ercol & SCP: A British Design Story (2011)

Back in 2011, during Design September, we turned La Fabrika into a little slice of Britain. We invited Donna Wilson, the queen of colourful knits and playful textiles,  to set up an installation, and teamed her up with two iconic British brands, Ercol and SCP. The mix was magic: soft woolly creatures next to timeless wooden furniture and bold modernist pieces. Our shop felt more like a gallery for a while, and visitors got to wander through the best of British design all in one go.

Normann Copenhagen Pop-up shop (2011)

Not long after our British adventure, we brought a slice of Denmark to Brussels. Normann Copenhagen moved in for a while and filled La Fabrika with their bold, playful take on everyday design. Think smart objects that make the ordinary feel extraordinary – from colorful rubber washing-up bowls (yes, the MoMA in New York turned them into champagne coolers!) to timeless gift ideas. For a few weeks, our shop was basically a mini Copenhagen design hub, and people loved discovering all the quirky, functional pieces.

KLEUR. La Fabrika + De Invaise + Design september (2012)

Beige walls? No thanks. For this Design September we teamed up with De Invasie to make a bold statement: life’s better in colour. Together with young creatives like Studio Woot-Woot, Ilse Acke, Jeffrey Van Hille and Eric Guen, we filled La Fabrika with experiments, clashes, and unexpected combos that showed just how powerful colour can be. Some shades made you smile, others gave you goosebumps, but beige was nowhere to be found. For a while our shop was basically a playground of pigments, and visitors left buzzing with ideas (and maybe the urge to repaint their homes).

What the Helsinki (2012)

When the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux asked us to dive into new Finnish design, we were both excited and a little overwhelmed. Everyone knows the big names - Artek, Iittala, Marimekko - but was there more to discover? To find out, we flew to Helsinki in the middle of winter and went exploring. What we found was a world where nature shapes daily life, where traditions like summer houses and handmade objects are still strong, and where design carries a quiet, quirky edge. The exhibition at La Fabrika brought together classics and fresh finds, giving visitors a peek into the unique rhythm of Finnish life and design.

Alongside the What the Helsinki! exhibition, we hosted something a little different: OK Talk. It was less about objects and more about ideas. Designers, architects, and curators from Finland and Belgium gathered at La Fabrika for a Sunday brunch and a big conversation on design, culture, and everything in between. We talked about what makes Finnish design tick, how it compares to Belgian traditions, and how culture shapes creativity. The vibe was casual but inspiring: a room full of curious minds sharing stories, questions, and maybe a croissant or two.

Grcic Seated (2013)

For Design September 2013, we decided to give our visitors a place to… well, sit. But not just anywhere, on the creations of German designer Konstantin Grcic. The exhibition showed 13 years of his work, from iconic chairs you instantly recognize to his latest experiments with materials and techniques. What we loved was how he blends strict, precise forms with a wink of humor and a deep respect for design history. Some call him a minimalist, but Grcic himself likes to say he’s all about simplicity, and when you see his pieces lined up together, you get exactly what he means.

Sweet Life (2014)

For Design September 2014 we invited Bordeaux-based designer Caroline Gomez to sprinkle a little poetry into La Fabrika. Her installation Sweet Life was all about soft tones, raw materials, and simple shapes that felt both calming and contemporary. Wood, ceramics, nature - everything came together in a delicate harmony that made our shop feel like a quiet retreat in the middle of Brussels. Caroline’s work has this way of stripping objects back to the essentials while still telling a story, and for a while visitors could step right into her world of balance and beauty.

Mae Engelgeer (2015)

In 2015 we brought a touch of Amsterdam to Brussels with the work of Dutch textile designer Mae Engelgeer. Known for her playful mix of colour, patterns, and traditional weaving techniques, Mae turned La Fabrika into a soft, tactile universe. From graphic rugs to subtle gradient plaids, her pieces combined craftsmanship with a fresh, modern vibe. Visitors could see (and feel) how forgotten techniques met contemporary design, all wrapped up in Mae’s signature style:  minimal yet warm, delicate yet bold. For a while, our shop felt like stepping into a woven artwork.

Daily Fiction Collection by Normann Copenhagen (2016)

After our earlier pop-up with Normann Copenhagen, they came back with something totally different: Daily Fiction. Imagine a candy store for grown-ups, but instead of sweets you get notebooks, scissors, stickers, wrapping paper, and all kinds of colorful little objects. Over 200 small design goodies that make everyday life a bit more fun and creative. The collection had this playful fashion-inspired vibe (no surprise, since they teamed up with Copenhagen’s Femmes Régionales), and it was only available in a handful of shops worldwide. We loved that La Fabrika got to be one of them - for a while, our shelves looked like a treasure chest of tiny design gems.

Design Event. Formakami Limited Edition lamp (2022)

In September 2023 we opened our doors for a special design night with Spanish artist and designer Jaime Hayon. The spotlight was on the launch of the Limited Edition Formakami lamp - a playful twist on traditional Kyoto lanterns, hand-painted and available exclusively at La Fabrika in Belgium. Also that evening we also introduced Momento, Hayon’s new collection of vases, candleholders and a carafe, all sculptural, colorful and full of his signature joy. It was a night where design met celebration, and our shop glowed just a little brighter.

F*ck Beige book launch (2024)

One of our most memorable nights was the launch of F*ck Beige – Kelly’s very own book about bringing more colour, personality, and bold choices into your home. We turned La Fabrika into a festive backdrop, filled with friends, design lovers, and lots of champagne bubbles. The evening was all about celebrating colour and courage in interiors, and of course signing a mountain of books. It felt less like a formal launch and more like a big get-together where everyone left inspired (and hopefully ready to ditch a beige wall or two).

Each of these events made La Fabrika so much more than four walls. They created connections, sparked ideas, and proved one thing: design is best enjoyed together. And let’s be honest: La Fabrika has always loved a good party!