BEL Prizes: The 2026 laureates and the “Mixed Trees” exhibition

The Brussels Expertise Labels (BEL) recognises brands, entrepreneurs, and creators who, through their exacting standards and craftsmanship, contribute to the radiance of Brussels. Its ambition is to become a true benchmark of trust for the public by highlighting those who embody Brussels excellence.

The BEL Prizes are one of the most visible expressions of this mission. For their fifth edition, they celebrate a new generation of talent while inviting the public to discover the richness and diversity of the know-how gathered within BEL during a pop-up exhibition at Mix Brussels from November 13 to 15, 2026.

This 5^th edition revolves around two highlights:

1. The BEL Prizes, featuring the award ceremony during which two prizes will be awarded to the five Brussels-based laureates who are reinventing the codes of their profession. The Transmission Prize distinguishes young talent who has stood out through the excellence of their know-how and their promising journey, while the Ambassador Prize rewards an individual whose career and expertise contribute to the radiance of Brussels far beyond our borders. Moreover, the five finalists will be honoured within the exhibition.
2. The pop-up exhibition “Mixed Trees”, open for the public from November 13 to 15, 2026, at Mix Brussels. Inspired by the theme of the Christmas tree, nearly 60 BEL brands will present original creations, sometimes realised in dialogue with invited artists or creators. This exceptional exhibition will bring Brussels know-how to life, balancing tradition, audacity, and contemporary creation.

The label

BEL was created in 1933 and has become a reference label in Brussels, having evolved over time into a credible and desirable signature that values Brussels expertise. It helps to guide the choices of the public and policymakers by highlighting professionals committed to an approach of excellence, quality, and transmission.

Carrying the BEL label means embodying this excellency and contributing to the radiance of Brussels as a reference territory open to all those seeking a unique experience.

The members as a tangible proof of the label’s promise

Today, BEL brings together more than 60 brands from 12 different sectors, collectively drawing the landscape of Brussels excellence. Behind these addresses lie varied universes but a single shared vision based on quality, reliability, and sustainable know-how without compromise.

The label gathers both internationally renowned brands and lesser-known gems, contributing to making Brussels a vibrant stage of excellence.

The BEL Prizes

The BEL Prizes yearly reward personalities and brands that illustrate how Brussels know-how continues to evolve, is transmitted, and innovates. They reflect the values BEL wishes to recognize and promote exigence, creativity, quality, transmission, and contribution to the radiance of Brussels.

The Transmission Prize is awarded to a new generation of entrepreneurs who are reinventing Brussels know-how. Through contemporary, responsible, or innovative approaches, they demonstrate that excellence is more than heritage, it is an ongoing process. The four finalists were selected because each of them illustrates, in their own way, the values carried by BEL: quality, creativity, commitment, transmission, and positive impact on the image of Brussels.

The four laureates of this edition were carefully selected from the Brussels entrepreneurial ecosystem. The finalists were chosen for:

• the quality of their know-how,
• their ability to develop their profession,
• their contribution to the image of Brussels,
• their sense of transmission,
• their economic, cultural, or societal impact.

The finalists

DUPLEX

“Waste as our resource.”

Founded by four partners (Gaston Golstein, Arnaud De La Haye, Hippolyte Reverchon, and Aldo Dalla Palma) who are driven by a common vision, Duplex is a sustainable company that designs and produces furniture from industrial offcuts and reused materials. Duplex was born from a simple observation: up to 70% of an object's impact comes from its raw material. An observation that serves as Duplex’s starting point: transforming dormant industrial flows (Walloon blue stone, oak, stainless steel, HPL) into quality pieces designed for the intensive uses of the B2B hospitality sector, hotels, restaurants, offices, and coliving spaces.

ORIANE DE MUNTER JEWELLERY

«Celebrating magical moments for everyone and immortalizing them in a piece of jewelry.»

Oriane De Munter Jewellery specializes in permanent jewelry and is part of the world of EMBRACE, dedicated to celebrating personal stories. During each encounter, everyone chooses their piece of jewelry and shares a story, an emotion, or a meaningful chapter of their life. The jewelry is welded directly onto the wearer, creating a unique, clasp-free piece designed to last.

More than just a piece of jewelry, Oriane offers a timeless pause — a ritual, a unique experience, and a suspended moment where time seems to stand still.

PERMAFUNGI

“Bringing nature back tot he city.”

Julien Jacquet sees nature not only as a source of inspiration but also as an ally capable of helping us rethink our way of producing and consuming. A vision that has materialized in Permafungi’s mission: collaborating with mycelium to bring humans and nature closer together. Permafungi transforms organic waste into natural materials, perfectly suited for acoustic panels, the packaging and design sectors, thanks to the action of mycelium, the vegetative structure of the fungus.

VINAIGRERIE SAINTE ODILE

“Reminding people of the true taste of vinegar.”

La Vinaigrerie Sainte Odile was born from Daphné de Crombrugghe’s desire to reintroduce an artisanal Belgian vinegar, made exclusively from local alcohols. The project aims to revive a forgotten craftmanship, once inscribed at the heart of Belgian and European food heritage. It fits into a rare approach, carried by only a few producers, who transparently perpetuate ancestral methods.

The Ambassador Prize rewards a personality who embodies Brussels ambassadorship, having contributed to the radiance of Brussels at regional, national, and international levels.

The names of the winners will be unveiled during the BEL Prizes evening on November 12, in the presence of an invited audience.

All laureates will benefit from privileged access to the BEL network and activities. The winners will also receive a trophy signed by Romain Zacchi. Furthermore, the winner of the Transmission Prize will have the unique opportunity to benefit from enhanced media exposure and visibility through KBC Private Banking.

The BEL Prizes could not have been organized without the valuable support of the Brussels-Capital Region and the City of Brussels.

‘Mixed Trees’: a pop-up exhibition where art reinvents Christmas magic

The pop-up exhibition “Mixed Trees”, presented alongside the creations of the BEL PRIZES laureates, will be held at Mix Brussels from November 13 to 15, 2026. Visible as soon as you walk in the building, it will spread over two floors around the emblematic rotunda of La Royale Belge.

Each brand was invited to reinterpret the Christmas tree according to its own universe, profession, and know-how. Alone or in collaboration with artists or craftsmen, these creations play with materials, light, and forms to offer visitors a unique experience.

More than just an exhibition, “Mixed Trees” celebrates the holiday magic through a contemporary lens, where excellence, emotion, and creativity meet.

Following the exhibition, each creation may continue its story by joining the decorative universe of its brand, within its boutiques or reception spaces, thus prolonging the spirit of “Mixed Trees” well beyond the event.

Practical information

The pop-up exhibition "Mixed Trees", where the creations of the BEL PRIZES laureates will also be visible, will be held at Mix Brussels from November 13 to 15, 2026. It will be presented to the public on several floors of the La Royale Belge building.

Open from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Address: Mix Brussels, Boulevard du Souverain 25, 1170 Watermael-Boitsfort.

Free entry

Contact details:

Media: for any additional information, visuals, and interview requests concerning the BEL Prizes and participating members:

Annabelle Seynave annabelle@annabelleseynave.com - 0032 478 47 17 55

Community & Events: Tessa de Caters

Scenography under the artistic direction of Manok Dedoncker

About

The Brussels Expertise Labels is the reference label for exceptional Brussels know-how. It helps the public and policymakers to identify brands recognized for their quality, expertise, and contribution to the radiance of Brussels. Today, more than 60 brands from 12 sectors bear the BEL label and collectively embody a demanding, vibrant, and contemporary vision of Brussels excellence.

The members

AU BON REPOS - AUTOWORLD - AU VIEUX SAINT MARTIN - BADEN BADEN - BAOBAB COLLECTION - BODART OPTICIENS - BOUVY - CACHEMIRE COTON SOIE - CHANEL - CHARLES SCHAMBOURG BY NACARAT - CHOUX DE BRUXELLES - COMME CHEZ SOI - CORICA - CORINTHIA GRAND HOTEL ASTORIA BRUSSELS - CUBEX - D’IETEREN LUXURY PERFORMANCE - DE CONINCK - DELVAUX - DE GEEST LE TEINTURIER - DIANE VON FÜRSTENBERG BELGIUM - DIDIER ET ROSALINDE - DINH VAN - DIRECT WAY WORLDWIDE - DOMINIQUE RIGO - FESTI RENT - GALERIE PATRICK & ONDINE MESTDAGH – GLACIER ZIZI - GREAT - HALL OF TIME - HERMES - HOTEL AMIGO - IMMOBILIÈRE LE LION - L’ANTICHAMBRE - L’ARTISAN DU TEMPS - LE BEAU A UNE ADRESSE - LE CHALET DE LA FORÊT - LE SAINT-AULAYE - LES TISSUS DU SABLON - LES JEUX D’HIVER - LUDOVIC ELENS - MAISON A. JAMART - MAISON DANDOY - MAISON DE GREEF - MAISON DEGAND - MARIE’S CORNER - MAYFAIR-FILIGRANES - MENSSA - MONSEL - NATAN – NEUHAUS - NEW EMBERT - PIERRE MARCOLINI - ROB THE GOURMET’S MARKET - ROUGE PIVOINE – SENTEURS D’AILLEURS - SERNEELS - THE HOTEL - THEMERODE - VAN THIENEN - WOLFERS

The BEL Prizes jury

The BEL Prizes jury brings together individuals from the Brussels entrepreneurial and artisanal landscape. Under the presidency of Pierre Marcolini (Pierre Marcolini), the BEL committee this year comprises Jean-Louis Barré (Le Saint-Aulaye), Xavier De Breucker (Cubex), Jean-Gabriel de Coninck (De Coninck), Emily Degand (Maison Degand), Lionel Fuchs (New Embert), Bernard Helson (Maison Dandoy), Mélanie Rigo (Dominique Rigo), Serge Silber (Marie’s Corner), and Arnaud Wittmann (Maison De Greef).

Partners

KBC Private Banking, the Brussels Region, the City of Brussels, JCDecaux, Louis Roederer, Bru, Visit Brussels.