Branquinho, who despite her name was born in Vilvoorde, is a graduate of the world-renowned Antwerp Fashion Academy. Like contemporaries Raf Simon and Kris Van Assche, she studied under Walter Beirendonck, one of the original Antwerp Six who put Antwerp on the fashion map (see Face of Flanders, May 12). Branquinho, because of her prominence, is often thought to be one of the original six, whereas she was only a child when they broke through on the couture scene.
After graduation, she worked for Miu Miu in Italy and Natan in Belgium before finding success with her own collections. She picked up awards all over, moved into menswear and then, in August 2003, opened her own store in Antwerp. Her alma mater held an exhibition of her work in 2008, featuring a sports car dressed in tweed.
The James label was set up in 1998, and its closure now will put nine people out of work. Branquinho is also creative director for Delvaux leather goods, and has several agreements with other companies like Levis paints and mail order company 3Suisses. She also teaches at the University for Applied Arts in Vienna.
"Despite the praise they received, recent collections have seen markedly fewer orders placed than is usually the case," a press statement said. "We also have a growing number of orders which have been produced but are not being paid."