Interview for Made In Vlaams-Brabant

Elegnano founder, Katrien Herdewyn, was interviewed about her summer "holiday", being out of office, and local treasures in the region she grew up in.

Read the full article in Dutch here: https://www.made-in.be/vlaams-brabant/out-of-office-met-katrien-herdewyn-van-elegnano-ik-beantwoord-aan-het-amerikaanse-stereotype-altijd-bereikbaar-en-werkend/

[English translation below photo]

Translation of the article in English:

Out of Office with Katrien Herdewyn of Elegnano: "I fit the American stereotype: always available and working."

During the Summer holiday season, entrepreneurs are also "Out of Office." Time to take a break from business conversations. This week for Made in Flemish Brabant: Katrien Herdewyn of Elegnano. She's an engineer, shoe designer, and entrepreneur in the technology and fashion sector. But how does she spend her vacation time? "The fewer signs of habitation, the better for my mind."

Hi Katrien, what does your ideal summer day look like?
A perfect summer day begins and ends with a blue sky with barely a cloud. A long walk in good company, a simple picnic somewhere in the countryside, and in the evening, cooking or barbecuing at home with a cocktail or a good glass of wine until after sunset. Outside, peaceful, and without a clock.

What's the most beautiful trip you've ever taken? And what destination are you still dreaming of?
That's a tough choice. My top three most beautiful trips so far are a tour through western Canada, a tour through the less touristy regions of Italy, and this June through Corsica. All three offer beautiful nature, tranquility, and freedom. My top three dream destinations are Alaska (in the summer), Hawaii, and Japan.

How do you cope with your absence during vacation periods? Who do you still answer the phone for?
I rarely, if ever, take vacation in the traditional sense of the word. In that respect, I do fit the American stereotype: almost always available and working. For Elegnano's tenth anniversary, I took a week off. It was great, but afterwards I didn't think: I need to do this more often. My mind is constantly "working," and new ideas keep coming in. One day a week, usually on the weekend, I try to be completely offline. That's my own kind of vacation. I usually don't answer any calls or messages then, since I'm often in a place with no service.

What's your favorite place to brainstorm "out of the office"?
That completely overlaps with where I find peace: nature, water, few to no people. The Italian coast, where Elegnano also produces shoes, is perfect for that. Or California, where I spend a lot of time. In Belgium, I love walking through the fields and hills of Hageland. The fewer signs of habitation, the better for my head.

What's your ultimate book, podcast, or watch recommendation this summer for entrepreneurs who want to learn and relax?
I read daily and often listen to podcasts, so I have plenty of tips! My recent recommendations are Noise by Daniel Kahneman, an in-depth book about noise in decision-making. And in terms of podcasts: Rethinking Leadership Talks by Sarah Debaets and Dat is wel speciaal by Suyin & Malyster. Both offer strong content in a lighthearted way. Perfect for the summer.

What sustainable or local habit are you trying to implement?
Fashion-wise, I buy very little, maybe two or three items of clothing a year. And I prefer to buy locally, from smaller brands, even if I buy secondhand. They often offer the best value. I get a lot of satisfaction from creating new combinations with what I have, or from adapting an existing piece or a hand-me-down from my sister, mom, or friend to create something new. When it comes to food, I choose seasonal and local products. And finally, I do everything by public transport, on foot, or by bike—out of necessity since I never got a driver's license, but today also primarily out of conviction.

If you were to start a new company, what would it be?
I happen to be doing just that: a biotech company specializing in leather technology. Science, ethics, innovation, and business converge there. This way, I'm trying to contribute to sustainability issues in the fashion sector: by developing technology to reduce the environmental impact of fashion products themselves, alongside the many wonderful initiatives and companies like Dressr and Cosh that focus on better business models for fashion consumption.

Where would you send a tourist who wants to discover something beautiful in your region, and which restaurants and cafes would you recommend?
I'd direct them to Leuven, definitely including a stop at the Arenberg campus in Heverlee, a place steeped in history, tranquility, and architecture. Horst Castle in the Hageland region is also highly recommended.

My favorite restaurants and bars are Eed in Vaartstraat if you have something special to celebrate, Piano B on Alfons Smetsplein for a taste of Italy in Belgium, and Allison on Hogeschoolplein or Bar Louis on Grote Markt for cocktails.