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Jos (1925-2005)
Jos, the brother of Godfried
Jos dressed as a sheep takes part in the procession of the Holy Childhood (photo: August 1937)
with the Grey Sisters in front of the Gasthuis chapel (photo: 1937)
Jos and Arthur
Jos with his parents in the garden at Martelaerenstraat, 34
“a handsome boy“
Jos on the cannon of Big Bertha (photo: 6 August 1935)
Begijnhofplein Aarschot with a German cannon between WWI and WWII – by Hubert Van den Broeck (1905-1991) – oil on canvas
Frie, Jos, unknown
Frie and Jos – Bellagio (photo: 1957)
the brothers Jos and Frie
the sought-after and sexy bachelor
the Jos Van Kerckhoven vehicle, a Mercedes Benz model W111 – 220 version
Our Jos does not need a car to get around his town but gets this banger from his mother Tineke to find potential dates with it. (1961)
Jos Van Kerckhoven and Lieve Gybels
Brewing-dynasty heiress Sidone Verlinden
Sidone’s grandfather, Hendrik Verlinden (1866-1940), was a fermentation chemist-technologist and brewer of the Witkap in Brasschaat, adviser to the breweries of Alken, Haacht, Westmalle and Mechelen. He was the inventor of the bacteria-free fermentation process.
Sidone Verlinden is the widow of Jan Van Osta (1930-1958), with whom she has a daughter, Margitte.
Margitte Van Osta (photo: 1992) is the daughter of Sidone Verlinden from her earlier marriage.
Jos and Sidone have been a couple since 1962
From the wedding album of Jos and Sidone Van Kerckhoven Verlinden (1964)
front: Josse Van Kerckhoven, ? , Elvire Van Kerckhoven, Mrs Verlinden back: Vera Verlinden, Mia, Godfried
Jos (1925-2005)
Elvire Van Kerckhoven and Mrs Verlinden; Jos’s mother-in-law
Jos and Mia (photo: 1964)
Hendrik Verlinden, Mia, Frie, Sidone, Jos, Leentje, Paul, Vera
standing l. to r. Frie, Paul, Leentje, Herman Verlinden, …, Mrs Verlinden, Mrs Verlinden, Elvire, Josse. seated l. to r. Mia, Vera Verlinden, Jos, Sidone, Rev. Richard Vermaelen (photo: 1964)
Hendrik Verlinden, ? , Godfried, Vera, ? , Mia
Frie and Mia on the right in the picture at the wedding party of Jos and Sidone (photo: 1964)
The little black dress was conceived by Coco Chanel. It stood out for its versatility, its practicality, its multifunctionality and its adaptability to all seasons.
The choice of the colour black was mainly motivated by its versatility. This outfit could be worn on any occasion and at any time of the year. Before Chanel, black clothes were mostly associated with mourning and rarely worn outside that context.
Coco Chanel’s idea was to introduce into the female wardrobe a piece that would suit every occasion. Even women of modest means could afford such an outfit, versatile enough to be worn at work, on a stroll or at an evening party.
Chanel 2025
Hendrik Verlinden, Mia, Vera Verlinden, Godfried
Vera Verlinden is the godmother of An Van Kerckhoven & model for Léonard, Mia, Leentje (photo: 1964)
“For zeal for your house has consumed me” (Psalm 69:9) Jos loves the house of his parents so much that he would not tolerate sin within it.
Sidone is not known for a tendency to great commotion or theatrical behaviour.
The family of Jos and Sidone
Margitte, Sidone, Jos and An (photo: 1972)
On Thursday 16 September 1965 Sidone (34) gives birth to a little daughter. The baby is named An.
An with cousins Gert and Pieter (photo: 1976)
Godfried and Sidone (photo: Provence)
An, Pieter, Ilse, Paul (on Gert’s Italjet), Frie, Sidone, Jos
Are Jos and Sidone right not to let their daughter An play often with the children of Frie and Mia, because “too spoilt, they will never amount to anything”? (photo: 1992)
An marries Claude Glorieux (photo: 1992)
In Parisian style, An shines in front of her shop (photo: 2023)
It takes some time, because the idea that everything will change under An weighs heavily on Jos. In 1991 An’s patience runs out and the fabric shop vanishes with the wind and becomes Per Tutti lingerie.
For her first communion An receives this lamp from her aunt Mia.
‘the Van Kerckhoven brothers’ as they call themselves (photo: 2003)
The ever so reserved Jos with granddaughters Helena and Elisabeth Glorieux
THE FABRIC SHOP OF JOS VAN KERCKHOVEN AND THE WHITE SHEETS (by Christine Sas)
“ Once inside the fabric shop, one was invariably surprised by the broad and symmetrical interior of the shop.
All fabrics were arranged very carefully and attractively. The long counter as well as the thick fur coats on the mannequins radiated a certain prestige.
Behind it was the cosy living space; dear aunt Sidone always slipped us something tasty in the bright kitchen overlooking the town garden. As children we liked to play there.
Yet there was something peculiar and mysterious about the house that I did not quite understand then:
the polished antique furniture in the closed-off salon was always covered with spotless white sheets, as if a separate world lay hidden beneath, one that might secretly come to life at night…
The imposing black Mercedes, polished to a shine, also slept mysteriously under a crisp, ironed white sheet.
As a child I went a little quiet from it…
Jos van Kerckhoven was one of the most loving people I knew in Aarschot at the time. Extremely caring and considerate.
Whenever I see white sheets draped over furniture in films or elsewhere, I think with a smile of the lovely, warm house at Martelarenstraat 34. ” – Christine Sas
Helena and Pieter (photo: Paris, 2024)
In the footsteps of Tineke, Jos and An. It was a close call that Anneke did not stop the business to go and live in Provence. But look now: the shop is getting ready for the fourth generation, a veritable ‘rebirth’ by Helena.
An and Claude with their daughters Helena and Elisabeth
Helena and Richard welcome Pieter “de pijt”! (Rillaar, 2025)
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