VERLAINE began as a family-run label, powered by the Belgian born relatives Veerle Goyvaerts (Verlaine) and Marlies Verhoeven. Verlaine, a graduate of the renowned Studio Bercot in Paris, has worked for such notable designers as Martine Sitbon and Guy Laroche during the Alber Elbaz era, handling the showrooms and helping out with the runway shows. She also worked on a secondary knitwear line for the later, under Michael Herz, currently the designer for Aquascutum. After spending many years working in L.A., New York, London and Paris, Verlaine moved back to her native Belgium three years ago, where she opened her shop/gallery in Antwerp. Marlies, the label’s other half, holds an MBA and is the business mastermind behind the label. Verlaine’s design sensibility combined with Marlies’ business acumen is gaining them recognition in the fashion arena as the design house to watch.