About

Valentine Tinchant is an Antwerp-based circular fashion designer, creative entrepreneur, and self-described “circular centipede,” known for her innovative and sustainable approach to fashion. She graduated from Polimoda Fashion School in Florence in 2019, where she was one of only 20 selected students to showcase her collection at the school’s fashion show. After graduating, she completed an internship at Ann Demeulemeester.

From a young age, Valentine saw beauty and potential in waste. As a teenager, she created collages from ripped magazines and repurposed old clothes using pins. During her studies at Polimoda, she became increasingly aware of the enormous amount of reusable fabric being discarded and the wastefulness embedded in the fashion industry. This realization encouraged her, as a young designer, to take responsibility for minimizing waste and rethinking the way materials are used. “By upcycling old clothes and materials, you create an inexhaustible source of raw materials,” she believes.

Today, Valentine works as a freelance designer, consultant, and coach for a range of organisations, brands, and social initiatives. Through her own upcycling studio, she transforms discarded garments, deadstock fabrics, and forgotten materials into one-of-a-kind pieces, either sold through her webshop or developed as custom designs for clients. Alongside her studio practice, she gives workshops and coaching, helping others explore more circular ways of designing, producing, and consuming fashion.

Valentine also manages the textile atelier De Werkzaak of Saamo,based in Antwerp-Noord. A social neighbourhood enterprise exploring how local needs and local talent can create sustainable employment opportunities.

Would you like to know more or collaborate? We take on fashion and textile project of all kinds. Feel free to contact us!