MAD Parcours 2025

Speed dating

29.04.25

15:00

MAD Brussels organizes a speed dating session to connect Brussels designers and city center locations for the second edition of MAD Parcours.

During this speed dating session, MAD Brussels will connect designers with multi-brand stores, retailers that promote Brussels-based brands, and other locations open to collaborate for the MAD Parcours. This initiative fosters cooperation between emerging designers and established businesses while supporting local retailers.

Are you a Brussels-based designer looking for a venue to showcase your work to a broad audience? Or do you own a location in the heart of Brussels and want to host a designer as part of MAD Parcours? Sign up for the speed dating session on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM at MAD Brussels to find your ideal match.

To ensure the best possible connections, MAD Brussels will implement a made-to-measure pre-matching process, tailoring the pairings based on the specific needs and interests of both designers and venues. Register before April 20 (11:59 PM) here.

Registering on this form does not guarantee a place at the speed dating event, as it will depend on the compatibility of the participants.

ABOUT MAD PARCOURS

From november 12 to 15, 2025, MAD Brussels is organizing MAD Parcours - Downtown Edition, an event designed to promote Brussels-based talent by connecting designers, retailers, and hospitality businesses. By encouraging collaborations between young creatives and established stores in central Brussels, MAD Parcours revitalizes the city center and boosts sales in the lead-up to the holiday season.

The MAD Parcours route will be available through an interactive map bringing together all participating locations. Each participating store will receive a QR code allowing visitors to easily access the digital map and the full selection of participating locations. This year, a physical map will also be available in print. Designers and brands will also be featured on both maps.

MAD Parcours will primarily focus on the Dansaert district and the Sainte-Catherine Square, with expansions towards the Brussels Stock Exchange, de Brouckère, and the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries. The northern part of the zone will extend up to rue du Vautour.

VENUES ELIGIBLE FOR MAD PARCOURS

The following locations are eligible to participate:

FASHION — Studios & boutiques (multi-brand or mono-brand) for jewelry, leather goods, footwear, accessories, and prêt-à-porter.

DESIGN — Furniture design studios, boutiques, and galleries showcasing collectible objects.

POP-UPS — Design and fashion pop-ups, as well as other locations looking to support and present Brussels designers and brands in these sectors.

OTHERS — Boutiques, shops, restaurants, and hotels can also participate in MAD Parcours by hosting a designer in part of their retail space or through a scenography or installation designed specifically for the event.

Key criterion: The venues must be located within the MAD Parcours area and must showcase work by local fashion or design creatives to be eligible for participation.

DESIGNERS ELIGIBLE FOR MAD PARCOURS

MAD Parcours is aimed at designers based in Brussels who want to showcase and sell their collections, either in their own locations or at partner venues within the event's designated zone. To be eligible, you must be based in Brussels and active in the fashion, design, or decor sectors.

FASHION — Designers of ready-to-wear (including made-to-measure), accessories, leather goods, jewelry, footwear, and children's fashion.

DESIGN — Furniture designers and creators of design objects or collectible pieces.

SET DESIGN — Scenographers and designers specializing in creating window displays and staging commercial spaces, eager to design custom layouts for participating locations.

DEADLINES

Registration deadline

Sunday, April 20, 2025 (23:59) – Designers are required to submit a visual portfolio upon registration to showcase their work.

List sharing with wenues

Monday, April 21, 2025 – The list of registered designers will be sent to venues by email. Venues can express interest in specific designers until Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Pre-matching by MAD

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – MAD will conduct a pre-matching process to optimize pairings.

A pre-matching process will help ensure meaningful and productive connections. While registering is the first step, participation in speed dating will be based on compatibility to create the best possible matches.

Speed dating schedule announcement

By Friday, April 25, 2025 – Participants will receive their confirmed time slots and a list of individuals they’ll be meeting in advance.

Speed dating @MAD

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 3 PM to 6 PM – Meet & connect!

Each location and creative participant who registers in advance will have the chance to connect, during 15-minute sessions, with a curated selection of profiles - chosen by the MAD team and based on their individual needs and interestss.