How did a striking French-Canadian blonde become global chic royalty? C”est simple… she followed her heart and her dream. However, simplicity takes hard work. Decades of hard work and a perfectionist’s commitment to, well, perfection. Since launching her label in 2011, Marie France Van Damme has not only set a new standard for resort wear chic, but also created an awakening and appreciation for the concept of effortless glamour.

Van Damme’s journey is about falling in love. While studying business administration at university, Van Damme transgressed from her academic family tradition and accepted an internship with a fashion house. She fell in love with the unbridled exuberance of a young woman discovering her life passion for the first time. Her burgeoning career progressed and soon the fashion newcomer was designing private label clothing for major department stores. While travelling back and forth between New York and Asia, Van Damme fell in love again. While based in Hong Kong, she met her husband and founded her own manufacturing company. One of the first Westerners (not to mention one of the first women), to open a factory in China, she designed for internationally recognized retailers as Sacks Fifth Avenue, La Redoute, and Monoprix.

Continuing on this whirlwind journey she fell in love again – with the treasures of travel and an eternal love affair with the world. Its swirling minarets and twisted alley ways. Its sun-soaked beaches and its haute boutique hotels. The charming cafés and the grand marketplaces. What she didn’t love was travelling with excess baggage nor the limitations of resort and travel fashion available. Not a fan of the flashy neon and prints often associated with resort attire, Van Damme longed for the elegant and flowing garments she had been donning for years.

“I was wearing caftans at Studio 54 in the late 70’s and wearing them today in Hong Kong forty years later” Van Damme recalls. “To me, there is nothing more sensual than wearing a beautiful, long and flowy garment.”

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marie france van damme alo
marie france van damme alo
marie france van damme alo

With a tenet of understated sophistication and a return to the glamorous roots of resort fashion, Van Damme presented a small collection of her designs to Harrods’s Chief Merchant, who serendipitously shared her appetite for travel and luxury. A deal was made on the spot.  It was 2011 and the Marie Van Damme brand was born.

Devoid of boundaries or constraints, the MFVD aesthetic is the definition of superlative quality and luxury sans complication or limitation. The muted palette of blacks, whites, and grays are offset by inlays of dusky rose gold and shimmering metallic silver. Saffron with golden threads adds a spicy burst of color to the mix. No boundaries means going from day to night or beach to dinner party with remarkable ease. Made from the finest silk, chiffon, and crepe de chine, special attention is given to the linings, stitching and cutting of each garment.

Just like the joys of travel and discovery, the MFVD style awaits the woman who yearns for the effortless glamour created from the finest fabric which softly drape the silhouette “I personally think “comfortable sophistication” is glamourous” she ascertains. “I have never found a ‘too tight ‘dress and killer heels that you can’t walk in very sexy. I believe women will always want to look their best, but that their style will probably change, like everything else.”

The MFVD lifestyle is addicting. Celebrities worldwide, including Beyoncé, Heidi Klum, Cameron Diaz, Olivia Palermo, and Catherine Zeta-Jones have embraced the sensory ease of the collection. With retail locations in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, Marrakech, Singapore, Bangkok, and Phuket, MFVD recently launched an exclusive boutique at the Dubai Mall. “I could not have imagined a better location to provide our clients with an exceptional atmosphere in one of the most beautiful shopping destinations in the world” says Van Damme. “We have many clients in Dubai, including those who travel here to shop. Our collection was made for Dubai and the elegant, modern Middle Eastern lifestyle.” 

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The MFVD lifestyle is addicting. Celebrities worldwide, including Beyoncé, Heidi Klum, Cameron Diaz, Olivia Palermo, and Catherine Zeta-Jones have embraced the sensory ease of the collection. With retail locations in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, Marrakech, Singapore, Bangkok, and Phuket, MFVD recently launched an exclusive boutique at the Dubai Mall. “I could not have imagined a better location to provide our clients with an exceptional atmosphere in one of the most beautiful shopping destinations in the world” says Van Damme. “We have many clients in Dubai, including those who travel here to shop. Our collection was made for Dubai and the elegant, modern Middle Eastern lifestyle.” 

Stirred by both her extensive years of travel and the current crisis which is putting economic strain on artisans and small businesses, Curated by MF is her latest labor of love. “On my journey, I have developed relationships with craftspeople from the souks of Marrakesh, with traders in the bustling streets of Hong Kong and Bangkok and with small business owners from around the globe” she affirms.

Curated by MF incorporates the work of talented artists and creators from around the world. Each piece is an ethically sourced individual work of art, born from the heart and created to be treasured.    Current featured artists include Jay Ahr and L’objet.

www.mariefrancevandamme.com