Fabienne Chapot X LEVENS
text Abby Driesbach
As Fabienne Chapot approaches its 20th anniversary, the Amsterdam-based label enters a new chapter. One shaped by reflection, individuality, and a renewed sense of purpose. Marking the occasion is its first-ever jewellery collection, created in collaboration with Barcelona-based glass jewellery studio LEVENS. Rooted in craftsmanship and united by a shared appreciation for colour, creativity, and imperfection, the limited-edition collection celebrates self-love through four hand-blown pieces designed to be cherished rather than consumed.
Launching during Copenhagen Fashion Week, the collaboration arrives as fashion increasingly embraces emotional storytelling alongside aesthetics. We spoke with Fabienne Chapot about finding the right creative partner, why now felt like the moment to champion self-love, and how meaningful design can create lasting connections beyond the seasonal cycle.
Abby Driesbach: Fabienne Chapot has always embraced bold colors and expressive design, while LEVENS works with hand-blown glass and imperfection as craft. What made LEVENS the right creative partner, and how does this collaboration complement the Fabienne Chapot universe?
Elias De Hulsters: LEVENS embodies so many of the values that are central to Fabienne Chapot: creativity, craftsmanship and female entrepreneurship. As we were shaping the new direction of our brand, we realised there was already a natural dialogue between our two worlds.
What particularly drew me to LEVENS is their celebration of imperfection through hand-blown glass. In a time when so much is becoming automated and AI-generated, there is something incredibly valuable about objects that are made entirely by hand. Every piece carries its own unique character.
While our focus has always been on clothing, shoes and bags, we had been looking for the right opportunity to expand into jewellery. LEVENS felt like the perfect partner to take that first step. With our AW26 collection centred around self-love and embracing what makes us unique, the collaboration felt completely authentic. Both brands celebrate individuality, bold expression and finding beauty in what makes us different.
AD: The collection centers on self-love, right down to the “I LOVE ME” message. What made now the moment to build a collection around that idea?
EH: The theme of self-love started as something very personal. Around my 30th birthday, I found myself reflecting on what it really means to grow up. Becoming an adult isn’t about becoming someone new, it’s about letting go of the things that no longer serve you while holding on to the parts of yourself that truly define you.
At the same time, Fabienne Chapot was going through its own transformation. During a rebrand, you’re asking very similar questions: what do we leave behind, what do we protect, and what is our true identity? Those two journeys felt deeply connected, making self-love a natural theme to explore.
As we approach our 20-year anniversary, it also felt like the right moment to reflect on our journey, celebrate how far we’ve come, and encourage women to celebrate themselves a little more too. The “I LOVE ME” message is simple, but it’s a reminder we could all use.
AD: Both brands celebrate craftsmanship and individuality. How did you ensure that each brand’s identity remained authentic throughout the collaboration?
EH: The collaboration felt very natural because both brands already shared so much creatively. Rather than trying to merge two completely different identities, we built on values we already had in common.
LEVENS brought their beautiful hand-blown glass techniques, while we introduced colour combinations inspired by our AW26 collection and incorporated the “I LOVE ME” message into the designs. The collection also features motifs like the rose, alongside the bold use of colour and expressive craftsmanship that both brands are known for.
It never felt like either brand had to compromise. Instead, it felt like creating something together that genuinely belongs to both of us.
AD: The collection is intentionally small, with just four handcrafted pieces. Was exclusivity always part of the vision?
EH: Absolutely. As this is our very first jewellery collection, we wanted to begin with something small, thoughtful and exclusive. We also wanted to avoid overproduction and focus on creating something truly special.
We’ve always believed you don’t need a large collection to tell a meaningful story. Every piece was designed with intention, from the colours and shapes to the craftsmanship behind it. Rather than creating more, we wanted to create timeless pieces that become part of someone’s personal collection for years to come. Quality, emotion and longevity have always been more important to us than quantity.
AD: The collection debuts during Copenhagen Fashion Week. Why was that the right stage for this launch?
EH: Copenhagen Fashion Week has become a place where creativity, individuality and craftsmanship are genuinely celebrated. It attracts a community that appreciates thoughtful design and brands with a strong point of view.
After introducing our new brand direction there last year, returning feels like coming back to a community that already understands who we are becoming. It felt like the perfect moment, and the perfect audience, to introduce this collaboration.
AD: Fashion is increasingly expected to tell stories with emotional value, not just sell products. What story do you hope people take away from this collaboration, and how does that emotional value stack up against aesthetics for you?
EH: I’ve always believed that emotion creates the strongest connection. Beautiful products might catch your attention, but stories are what people remember.
This collection is an invitation to celebrate yourself. Whether someone buys a piece as a reminder to embrace who they are, to mark a personal milestone, or simply because it makes them smile, we hope it carries personal meaning. It’s also something you can gift to a friend as a celebration of them.
Jewellery is such an intimate form of self-expression, and if these pieces encourage women to embrace their individuality and treat themselves with a little more kindness, then we’ve achieved exactly what we hoped for.
AD: Consumers today are looking for pieces with meaning and longevity. Do you think emotional value has become just as important as aesthetics?
EH: Absolutely. Aesthetics might make you fall in love with something at first sight, but emotional value is what makes you keep wearing it. People increasingly want pieces they can connect with rather than simply following trends. A story behind a design, exceptional craftsmanship or a unique technique creates a much stronger emotional connection than something mass-produced. We hope these are pieces people build memories with and continue to wear years from now because of how they make them feel as much as how they look.
AD: If someone discovers Fabienne Chapot through this collaboration, what do you hope they immediately understand about the brand?
EH:That we’re a colourful, feminine brand driven by optimism, creativity and craftsmanship. We celebrate individuality and women who aren’t afraid to express themselves.
Above all, I hope people feel that Fabienne Chapot encourages them to embrace who they are, with confidence, joy and a little boldness.
AD: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Fabienne Chapot, and can we expect more unexpected creative collaborations?
EH: The most exciting part is that we’re only just getting started. Our new creative direction opens up so many opportunities to tell stories in unexpected ways and collaborate with inspiring creatives, artists and brands.
We’re already incredibly excited about our SS27 collection, where we’ve further refined our DNA through fresh colours, unique silhouettes, beautiful fabrics and distinctive prints. At the same time, we’re developing AW27 with a strong storytelling concept and some exciting new ideas.
Collaborations like this allow us to keep surprising our community while staying true to who we are, so yes, you can definitely expect more creative partnerships in the future.
image courtesy Levens
