Draft:Huis Baeyens
 | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Genre | Costumes & accessoires |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Founder | Charles & Aflons Baeyens |
| Headquarters | Frans Beirenslaan 3, Borsbeek , Belgium |
Number of locations | 1 |
| Website | https://www.huisbaeyens.be/ |
Huis Baeyens is a Belgian company dedicated to the sale and rental of costumes and accessories for individuals or companies. After 110 years in Antwerp, the company decided to move its two branches to one location in Borsbeek, where they have been since 2020.
History[edit]
Origin[edit]
The company was founded in 1911 by brothers Charles and Alfons Baeyens after they took over the Verstraeten-Driessens business. It grew into a large company in the Antwerp region specializing in costumes for gatherings, theaters, and plays.
During the first half of the 20th century, the brothers made a notable impact in the theater and parade sectors. They served as suppliers to esteemed venues like the former Dutch Theater, the French Opera, and several other theaters in Antwerp. Additionally, they actively participated in organizing significant parades, including the Landjuweel of Antwerp. In 1938, their contributions were pivotal in the establishment of the Holy Blood Play in Bruges.
Purchase Baeyens[edit]
The shop was put up for sale for a period following Charles's death in 1961. Raf Baeyens and Lily Kallehauge, representing the family, sought potential buyers. However, despite discussions with fellow rental suppliers, no viable results emerged. Eventually, the two decided to take over the business and expand its scope. As a result, the company relocated to a larger premises in Antwerp shortly thereafter. In the Olijftakstraat, the first strides were taken into the revue and show business.
Afterwards[edit]
By 1966, the costume inventory had expanded significantly as Huis Baeyens took over the company Huis Ducheyne along with all its stock. Prior to the acquisition, Lily and Raf were approached by the owners, Charles and René Ducheyne, who proposed that they assume ownership of both the premises and the inventory. An agreement was reached, and the purchase was finalized for a total of BEF 428,000. Additionally, the property was rented for 8,500 BEF per month.
Five years later, in 1971, they found the premises too cramped and made the decision to relocate, purchasing the warehouses on Lamorinière Street where the printing office of "De Sikkel" had previously been situated. In July of that year, the store had its grand opening, featuring a reception and tours of the premises offered to customers. Additionally, the workshop was equipped with new semi-industrial sewing machines, and a dry cleaning facility was set up in the basement adjacent to the laundry room to ensure proper maintenance of the costumes. This expansion also necessitated the hiring of additional staff to operate the machinery and manage the laundry operations.
On December 31, 1983, owners Lily and Raf decided to retire and pass on the company to their successors, Hugo and Lydia Baeyens, who then took over the reins and continued to lead the business. Following this transition, several changes were implemented within the company, allowing it to sustain its growth trajectory. For instance, by covering the courtyard, the sewing workshop was expanded, and in response to the high demand for Santa Claus costumes, they also took on the rental of beards and wigs. During this period, they also began introducing new categories such as "wigs" and "makeup".
In 1987, the company expanded its offerings to include "party supplies and sales" after acquiring the toy store "Plancke-van Den Heuvel."
In 2002, Huis Baeyens opened another branch in Wommelgem after acquiring the company "House Rob Cremers." The availability of ample space and dedicated parking at this location, situated on the traffic circle, significantly contributed to the considerable increase in sales.
In 2008, Huis Baeyens experienced a significant milestone with the production of the six-part television series "Verkleed," which was filmed at their premises and broadcasted on VRT. The company gained widespread popularity, with ratings consistently exceeding 500,000 viewers and consistently ranking in the top ten each time it aired.
Since January 2020, the store in Wommelgem was closed, followed shortly after by the closure of the premises in Antwerp. Since then, the company has been located at Frans Beirenslaan 3 in Borsbeek.
Projects[edit]
After many generations, the company has become a household name in the theater, stage, TV and costume world, from ordinary consumers to large corporations. For years they have worked with companies, individuals and more recently influencers. Below is a list of completed projects over time by category:
| VTM | Jaartal |
|---|---|
| Belgium's got talent | (2012 - 2013),(2015 - 2016),(2018 - 2019),(2021) |
| Dear viewers | (2014 - 2016),(2018 - 2020),(2022) |
| Destination X | 2023 |
| Big & Betsy | 2000 - 2003 |
| Big Brother | (2000 - 2003),(2006 - 2007) |
| Real Stories: The Neighborhood Police | 2014 - heden |
| Debby & Nancy | (2006 - 2007),(2012) |
| The kotmadam | 1991 - 2023 |
| The Rodenburgs | 2009 - 2011 |
| Family | 1991 - heden |
| Wrong friends | 2013 - 2015 |
| Gaston and Leo | 1972 - 1992 |
| Thank God | 2007 |
| Greetings from... | 2017 - 2020 |
| How shall I put it? | 2017 - 2021 |
| Jan De Lichte | 2018 |
| K2 seeks K3 | 2009, 2021 |
| The Crown Witnesses | 2013 - 2016 |
| Lili and Marleen | 1994 - 2010 |
| Make Belgium Great Again | 2018 - 2019 |
| Matroesjka's | 2006 - 2008 |
| Milo | 2024 |
| Uncle Jef | 1995 - 2001 |
| 10 to see | 1989 - 2008 |
| In search of Mary | 2009 |
| Slide off | 1990 - 2006 |
| Sketch up | 2006 |
| Rush | 2000 - 2008 |
| Starmaker | 2024 |
| Studio Tarara | 2019 |
| Up against the stars | 2010 - 2018 |
| The masked singer | (2020),(2022 - 2023) |
| The Voice | 2011 - heden |
| Tragger Hippy | 2005 - 2008 |
| What if | 2011 - 2016 |
| What a Year! | (2018 - 2019),(2021) |
| Who Seeks Who Wins | 2022 |
| Company/Theatre | Performance(s) |
|---|---|
| Antwerp Symphony Orchestra | |
| Arenberg | |
| Priscilla queen of the desert | |
| DeepBridge | |
| A Christmas Carol | |
| Hair spray | |
| The Sound of Music | |
| EWT | |
| Festivaria | |
| Annie | |
| Camelot | |
| Kiss me, Kate | |
| King & I | |
| My fair lady | |
| Singin' in the rain | |
| The story of Sacco & Vanzetti | |
| Titanic | |
| West side story | |
| Wizard of Oz | |
| Historalia | |
| Damien | |
| Marie Antoinette | |
| Tutti Fratelli | |
| Other | |
|---|---|
| Red Devils | |
| Costumes from the Tintin series for a press interview | |
VRT[edit] |
Year |
|---|---|
| Other people's business | 2020 - present |
| Arcadia | 2023 - present |
| The Knight | 2013 - 2016 |
| The Dream Factory | 1989 - 1999 |
| Fata Morgana | 2004 - 2008 |
| FC the champions | 1990 - 2020 |
| The story of Flanders | 2023 |
| In Flemish fields | 2014 |
| Wild animals running wild | 2012 |
| Man bites dog | 1997 - present |
| Wind power | 1997 - 1998 |
Play 4 of 5[edit] |
Year |
|---|---|
| Bake Off Flanders | 2017 - present |
| Chris & Co | 1998 - 2004 |
| The youth of today | 2006 - 2009 |
| The mole | 2016 - present |
| The smartest person in the world | 2012 - present |
| The Ideal World | 2013 - present |
| Everyone famous | 2012 - present |
| James The Musical | 2021 |
| Love Island | 2019 - present |
| Scheire and creation | 2012 - present |
| Temptation Island | 2002 - present |
| It happened | 2016 - 2018 |
Studio 100[edit] | |
|---|---|
| House Anubis | |
| Costumes for series & films | |
| Gnome Plop | |
| Plopmuts | |
| K3 | |
| The Police (music) | |
| 'Party' music video (music) | |
| Hello K3! (series) | |
| K3 and the ice princess (movie) | |
| Night watch | |
| Samson & Gert | |
parades[edit] |
|---|
| Goat procession |
| Pretzel procession |
| Horse procession hakendover |
| Ros Beiaard |