WHO WE ARE
Soho Francotte
Founder of Lubay - Belgium
THE NAME
Lubay comes from there
I was born in Manila, Philippines. Both my paternal and maternal families are Kalinga. Adopted in Belgium, this is where I grew up, studied, and established my work. The name Lubay is Kalinga. It has always existed alongside « Made in Belgium ». Both are true. Both are me.
BACKGROUND
Philosophy, stage, then studio
I studied philosophy at university, followed by ten years performing with Coffee Or Not, a Belgian music project. Those years shaped my process: think before making, test, and return to the essential.
In 2021, that approach found a new medium: the bag. An object to design, to construct, and to own entirely.
WHY VEGAN
A personal choice
I do not consume animal-derived products. It was only natural that the bags I create would follow the same principle. This isn't a marketing stance; it is simply who I am, translated into what I do.
Discovering European vegan next-gen materials, such as Leap® and Grape Skin®, confirmed that this consistency could be achieved without compromising on form or structure.
THE PRACTICE
One person. The full scope
Since 2021, I have handled every aspect: designing lines and volumes, making each piece in the studio-atelier in Baillamont, art direction, photography, copywriting, managing a website in four languages, and press relations.
This is not a sales pitch. It is a deliberate constraint: every decision is made, tested, and refined right here.
RECOGNITION
Without seeking visibility at all costs
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Certified Artisan label – Belgium (national accreditation),
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Jury’s “Coup de Cœur” Prize – Vitrine de l’Artisan (2022),
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VOGUE feature (print + digital, 2024).
