Stretching is an integral part of all dance styles, and my journey in this field naturally follows that of dance. I began this training with traditional methods such as floor barre or classical ballet. I discovered yoga in the early 80s, and it was at the Rotterdam Dance Academy that I studied contemporary techniques, such as those of Martha Graham. Yoga and contemporary dance were revelations for me, particularly in terms of a better understanding and management of the body compared to ballet. I taught my first stretching classes in 1984.

Torn between all these techniques that I find fascinating, I have always blended different styles, drawing from each what I needed to help students broaden their horizons. I never wanted to be confined to one style, and I decided to call the method I teach Stretching Tandava. In Hinduism, the term tāṇḍava is associated with the cosmic dance of the god Shiva in the form of Nataraja.

After obtaining a degree in fashion design and pattern making at the Institut Bischoffsheim (Brussels), I started as a designer for a Belgian company, but very quickly, I wanted to produce and market my own collections. In 1987, I had the opportunity to participate in the Brussels-Moscow-Beijing Train and organize fashion shows of my creations in Moscow and Beijing. Upon my return, I launched my first collections, initially under my own name, and later under the brand Carnivor. I worked primarily with denim but also with waterproof fabrics, and in 1990, I opened a boutique in the center of Brussels to have my own point of sale.

At the same time, I was in charge of the fashion department for 3 years on a television show, Clip-Clap, which allowed me to meet many Belgian and international designers. I organized numerous fashion shows, always incorporating elements of my various passions, including dance, live music, and performances.

Although I began as a press officer for dance companies and collaborated on a television show, it was by attending techno parties that my professional life took a particular turn. I discovered the House movement in the early 90s and fell in love with this innovative music. This social movement was still underground, and in November 1992, I launched OUT SOON, the first magazine specializing in this field. The concept was simple: a free, bilingual magazine, providing a wealth of information for electronic music enthusiasts. It was an immediate success with the public, and I served as editor and editor-in-chief for 10 years. But OUT SOON was also about organizing over 100 events (in Belgium, France, and Germany), running a DJ booking agency, and fostering international partnerships.

I then worked in advertising agencies, and in 2004, I returned to print media by creating MOCHI, a monthly magazine, a logical continuation of OUT SOON but this time aimed at an older demographic, aged 25-40.

In 2013, I embarked on a new adventure: Hipstography, an online magazine dedicated to photography.

A vegetarian since the late 90s, I have always been an advocate for animal rights, but it was only 15 years later that I discovered the atrocities involved in dairy production. I became vegan overnight. I co-directed the Brussels branch of Anonymous for the Voiceless, an organization that originated in Australia and is now present in over 1,000 cities worldwide. Activists show videos on the streets about the condition of animals around the world and try to explain to the public the importance of adopting a plant-based diet.

It was upon discovering that it is possible to make vegan cheeses better than “real cheeses” that I embarked on a new adventure: Thank God It’s Vegan. My first creation was Peter, a plant-based cheese similar to camembert, made without animal suffering but with so much flavor… The cheese has been marketed in Belgium.

Welcome to Maison Marmite! I decided to open the doors of my kitchen wide and share with you a magical world of delicious recipes and dishes prepared with one secret ingredient: Love. Love for all living beings above all, but also love for the planet and for future generations.

Maison Marmite offers you a true culinary journey around the world with delicious recipes that are easy to make and entirely plant-based. Some are innovative, while others revisit traditional classics with a vegan twist, but they all have one ultimate goal: to elevate flavors and delight your taste buds. Welcome!

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the secret ingredient is always love.