At the Liebaert family home, Mother's Day is invariably celebrated with a lovely brunch and a carefully chosen present. This year, the brunch will probably be followed by a game of volleyball. "Since lockdown, it has been our family's favourite way of releasing physical energy", says Camille. "We play every weekend."

Camille grew up as the only daughter in a family of four children. She has been working with her brother and father in the family business Liebaert Textiles for a few years now. Within the textile company fold, she runs the edgy athleisure brand Recto Verso. And although her mother always remained more behind the scenes, she is a lodestar for our Inspiring Woman in both her professional and private life.

On the same wavelenght

How do you get along as mother and daughter? Do you see each other often?

Camille Liebaert: "We often do things together and we usually speak on the phone at least once a day. Since Liebaert is a family business, we are frequently in touch to discuss professional matters. Even though my mother doesn't have an active day-to-day role in the business, she has been my father's right-hand woman for years. I can always go to her for advice, including advice on Recto Verso."

Micheline De Graeve: "I provide a different perspective because I don't work at the company every day. An outsider's point of view can sometimes be helpful."

In what scenario would you ask her for advice?

Camille: "She is my go-to person, especially when something not particularly nice happens—a negative experience with a supplier, for instance. I recently went to look at a space with a view to setting up a pop-up there. My mother couldn't come with me, but I FaceTimed her. She has a very realistic view of things and asks questions that I wouldn't always think of asking."

"We're also on the same wavelength when it comes to taste and style. We're the same dress size: we swap clothes every fortnight (laughs). And, of course, she is the first person I ring for useful life hacks, like how to wash something, for example."

Inspiring in a different way

Camille, when we asked you to name inspiring women in your life, your mother was the first person you thought of. Why and in what way do you find her inspiring?

Camille: "My mother chose to stay at home and give up her career to give her four children and husband every opportunity to grow. That is a choice which might not be viewed in a particularly positive light or appreciated nowadays. We live in an age of feminism, where the career woman is presented as the ideal. I think that's great, but it does mean people sometimes look askance at housewives. My mother stepped aside for altruistic reasons. I love that."

Micheline, does Camille inspire you with the choices she makes?

Micheline: "Yes, I think the path that Camille has chosen is admirable. She started studying business engineering, but quickly realised it wasn't really her thing. She started her career with Delhaize, working in America for a while. After that, though, she moved decisively in a different direction. She retrained as a barista and did a graphic design and photography course. That was not an obvious choice: she was on a personal quest to find out what she really wanted to do professionally, aside from her studies. I admire that and find it inspiring. That way, she discovered the creative component in her life. In her job with Recto Verso she can now combine the two: the creative and business components."

Collaboration of Belgian origin

Camille, what was your reaction when Xandres asked you to work with them for the Inspiring Women range?

Camille Liebaert: "I was instantly excited. Like Recto Verso, Xandres is a Belgian brand. We are both incredibly proud of Belgian craftsmanship, we put women centre stage and we work hard to ensure every aspect of our brand and company is sustainable. We therefore have much in common."

"We actually inspire each other: Xandres admires the fact that everything we produce is 100% Belgian-made and I'm very impressed by the body positivity message Xandres Gold sends out. Our high-quality leggings are not reserved solely for slim models; curvier women can look just as good in our sportswear. The strong fabric flatters every figure and will never become see-through. I also plan to provide a better image of the various different body types Recto Verso will suit in photographs, on social media, etc. Just like Xandres Gold."

Expensive? Sustainable!

It's occasionally said that Recto Verso sportswear is expensive compared with other brands. For instance, a pair of leggings costs 165 euro. What sets them apart from others?

Camille: "We use European yarns and the entire production process takes place in Belgium. Our fabrics are expensive because we focus on innovation; we can develop any colour you like, for instance, and because our production takes place in Belgium. The garments are also made in Belgium. As a business we have launched many initiatives: a water treatment plant, solar panels, a recycling system, the list goes on. This way we ensure our production process is sustainable. By conducting tours of our company premises we try to show customers the efforts we are making. Awareness-raising is a slow process, through."