TWO NAMES, ONE HOUSE

Written by Catherine Malaise | Published in Paris Match in November 2024

Better than a merger, it's a natural rapprochement that is taking place between the two fine jewellery houses in Brussels. Moïse Mann sat down with us to explain the reasons behind their serene symbiosis.

When it comes to ‘why’, the first bet is on a shared love of excellence and a similar passion for traditional skills. But then what? Holemans is a century-old house that grew out of the linear aesthetics of Art Deco, while 15 years ago, the young Manalys jewellers emerged with a passion for the exuberance of stones.

Paris Match. Will the mission of the new Holemans & Manalys house be to create a sparkling synthesis of such different styles?

Moïse Mann. I see them living together, responding to each other and influencing each other while respecting their shared values: quality, the quest for perfection and listening to customers. These days, the word ‘merger’ is often synonymous with a reduction in resources and staff… I can understand this fear, but that's neither the intention nor the philosophy of Maison Holemans & Manalys: the two addresses have been maintained, as have their two workshops and their teams, which have even been expanded, both in terms of craftsmanship and customer service.

So what is the aim of this merger, which is puzzling and disconcerting to some?

Quite simply, to highlight the historical links between the two companies under a single banner. In fact, it's a question of putting into practice a rapprochement that already existed. The two workshops within the city - boulevard de Waterloo at Manalys and place du Grand Sablon at Holemans - have always produced the creations of the two houses without distinction. Nor has there ever been any difference in the allocation of stones, which I myself source as close as possible to the mines. To reassure fans of the iconic Holemans pieces, our future collections will continue to include the timeless Antelope engagement ring and the much-loved Promesse.

Merging is an opportunity to recall the extent to which you were the link between the two houses, isn't it?

For over 20 years, I was a Holemans craftsman, before setting up my own company in 2009 and taking over the Holemans jewellers in 2013, with the aim of perpetuating its exceptional heritage. That's why I don't want to change or remove anything that has allowed me to exercise my passion for the beauty of stones. The Holemans & Manalys merger was a personal achievement, and rightly so, but it also needed to be expressed in tangible terms. The luminous change of décor in the boutique at 11, boulevard de Waterloo is easy to see: gone is the singular atmosphere of a curiosity cabinet, replaced by greater harmony with the modernity of the Sablon space.

Other changes less obvious to decipher?

Both names have shaped my career, so it was out of the question to come up with a new name for both addresses. For the sake of chronology and because it shines in the hearts of so many people in Belgium, Holemans precedes Manalys in the new signature of windows, cases, bags and letterheads. The squirrel - Holemans' hallmark - provides a breath of fresh air between the two entities. A tribute to the Holemans jewellery dynasty founded in 1922!