Creations

Kristof Buntinx was born on 10 September 1975 in Sint-Truiden, in the Hesbaye region of Belgium. He graduated from secondary school at the college in Sint-Truiden, Latin-Greek section. Yet he took a lively interest in the world of clothing design, which was expressed in his decision to follow a series of practical training programmes such as the study of patterns and stitching techniques, in addition to drawing from models and painting. In subsequent years he completed internships with various fashion houses and companies such as Levi’s and Viktor & Rolf (Amsterdam) and with advertising agencies such as Famous (Brussels). He also worked for Duval Guillaume.
The first step on his creative journey consisted of the making of caps for the Cinderella Shop in Antwerp. Subsequently, Godiva (Sablon) accepted his design for a few coffee mugs on which he had applied lipstick and fingerprints. This collaboration was continued in his window display for them consisting of a series of hats.
A few years later the "Pain" clothing collection made its debut, of which a photo series was made in collaboration with Stijn Vanorbeek, a distant cousin.
Since his path crossed that of film maker Ilke De Vries, he came up with the idea for the movie "Vision", in which he relates the story of a personal crisis on the therapist's couch.
In the period from 2008 to 2010 Kristof applied himself to the design, manufacture and presentation of an entire series of hats and accessories. In his designs, he starts with a subconscious thought association, which is translated into a concrete idea for an accessory, garment or design-object. Then it is time for searching for suppliers, manufacturers and artisans. Eventually the designs are presented to the general public in collaboration with photographers and film makers.
As his work became more well-known, further initiatives were launched. For example, in the spring of 2011 he took part in the Toga 125 Fashion Awards and fashion show with his design "Ceci n’est pas un Advocaat". In the same year he also participated in Modo Brussels, in the MIAT's autumn exhibition in Ghent and in the Hong Kong Design Week, which did not go unnoticed: Kristof was voted the most eccentric fashion designer of the Modo Brussels Parcours by a fashion watcher in the UK. His necktie design for the MIAT was displayed in all of Flanders on posters and his T-shirt for the HKDW was also widely applauded by the fashion-conscious young people of Hong Kong. In 2012 his clever hats could be admired at Royal Ascot in England. His scarves, jewellery and neckties were on display at the Theo Gallery in Antwerp. All these accomplishments were echoed in the media (Standaard Magazine, Metro, Marie-Claire, RTBF, Actua TV, Nieuwsblad, FM Brussel, The Bulletin, etc.).



Social responsibility

Some time before the creation of the film "Vision" in 2008, Kristof, in the footsteps of similar initiatives abroad, committed to the project www.holebihome.be . Since the LGBT community is ageing, but is often left behind without children or a partner and therefore surrounded by loneliness. The creation of a residence, an actual home for them satisfies an existing need. A second clear expression of Kristof's social responsibility took shape shortly thereafter in the radio programme "Het Gesprek" for Radio Spes, in which he interviewed famous and less famous personalities about their passions, their motives, their faith and other interests. In addition, Kristof is also interested in specific political figureheads and their ideas. As of April 2010, together with a few Brussels LGBT clubs, he has been inviting like-minded individuals to monthly, informal gatherings, on behalf of HolebiHome, in the attractive setting of the hotel Le Dixseptième. 


Documentary by Ron Corten, Stefan Piot and Thomas Baerten.