Antwerp-born, Paris-based accessories designer Niels Peeraer specializes in creating a beauteous breed of wearable madness—and leather is his weapon of choice. “I love the toughness of it, the way it moves, and its natural charm,” he says. Through his namesake line, which he launched in 2011 after concluding his studies in fashion at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Peeraer brings an innocent happiness to everyday life. “There can never be enough bows, never enough cuteness!” he says, adding that his brand’s mantra is, “There is no limit to cuteness.”
Peeraer morphs his leathers into clean bags, caps, and headpieces, most of which are garnished with multidimensional leather bows and subtle brass finishes. Aimed toward a savvy, young clientele who is looking for something “extra,” Peeraer’s wares are currently available at on-the-pulse retailers like RA in Paris and Antwerp, and Opening Ceremony in New York and L.A.
For his Fall ’13 collection, the designer looked to traditional Chinese opera and its tenacious female leads, known as huadan. “I try to give seasonal refreshments in the design and lots of detail, while still keeping a certain practicality concerning volume: something I miss in bags from big maisons, ” Peeraer says.
Next on the designer’s agenda is his Spring ’14 collection. He hopes to introduce a new bag series that prioritizes beauty over seasonal trends.