Frequently Asked Questions
Orders & Shipping
How can I place an order?
Select the items, choose your color and size from the available options, then add to cart. Then proceed to check out. Once confirmed, you’ll receive a detailed order confirmation by email. For bespoke projects, you may write directly to: sales@valeriebarkowski.com
What are the production and delivery times?
Most pieces are made to order. Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for production and delivery. Each item is handmade with precision and care, this is what ensures its quality and longevity.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, worldwide shipping is available from Marrakech via DHL, with full tracking provided.
What should I expect for shipping costs?
Shipping fees vary depending on destination and weight. Costs are calculated at checkout before payment. For customers in Marrakech, in-store pickup can be arranged on request.
Can I send a gift directly to someone else?
Yes. Simply enter the recipient’s address at checkout. No pricing is included in the parcel, only a plain delivery slip.
Do you offer gift wrapping?
Yes. Upon request, your order can be wrapped in VB signature packaging. This service is complimentary for any item marked as a gift.
How do I track my order?
Once shipped, you’ll receive an email with your DHL tracking number to follow your parcel in real time.
Can I modify or cancel my order?
Orders are placed into production immediately after confirmation, so changes are difficult. That said, if you write to us quickly, we’ll do our best to help. Made-to-measure or personalized items cannot be canceled.
Product & Personalization
Can I personalize the size, color, or finish of an item?
Yes. Bedding and table linens can be personalized in size, and a dedicated color palette is available for some products. Bath linens are offered in standard sizes. For custom tones, special finishes, or more specific projects, you’re welcome to reach out directly. Each request is reviewed individually to ensure harmony, craft quality, and alignment with the VB collections.
What materials are used?
Our collections are made from natural materials, mostly combed cotton, prized for its softness and durability. Table linens are often available in a thicker non dyed cotton. For special editions or on request, Valérie may also use other hand-selected natural fabrics.
Are the products handmade in Marrakech?
Yes. Every VB piece is handcrafted in Marrakech, mostly in our atelier, but also in trusted partner workshops, many of whom Valérie has worked with for nearly thirty years. Each item carries the mark of time, skill, and intention.
How should I care for my VB piece?
VB creations are made to last. Most cotton pieces can be washed at 40°C with a gentle detergent and no bleach. While machine drying is possible, air drying is preferred to preserve the softness of the fabric and the finesse of the embroidery. Each piece includes a care label to guide you.
Can I commission a bespoke project (hotel, residence, etc.)?
Yes. Custom projects are central to Valérie Barkowski’s work. She regularly collaborates with hotels, private residences, and designers to develop exclusive pieces. Each project is approached individually to ensure coherence between vision, materials, and craftsmanship.
Do the collections change with the seasons?
No. VB collections evolve slowly, outside the fashion calendar. New embroideries, color shades or finishes may appear gradually. House linens are designed to be timeless. In parallel, Valérie creates accessories and objects in very limited editions, available only in her Marrakech boutique.
Are the pieces unique or reproducible?
Permanent collection items can be reproduced exactly. For example, an ILIAS bed set in Aqua can be reordered anytime. Yet each piece remains unique, entirely handmade. Some items are one-of-a-kind or produced in limited series, and available exclusively at the Marrakech boutique.
Payments & Returns
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal. All transactions are processed in euros.
Are payments secure?
Yes. All transactions are encrypted via SSL protocol. No bank data is stored on the site. Payments are handled securely by certified providers.
Do you accept returns or exchanges?
Because all VB items are made by hand, often to order, returns are not accepted, except in the case of a confirmed defect. Personalized or custom pieces are not eligible for return or refund, in accordance with European law.
What if my item arrives damaged?
If damage occurs during shipping, please contact us immediately with photos of the parcel and product. Each case is reviewed carefully and resolved via refund, repair, or replacement as appropriate.
Can I pay in installments?
Not via the website. For custom or professional projects, tailored payment terms may be discussed.
Brand & Values
Who is Valérie Barkowski?
A Belgian designer based in Marrakech since the late 1990s, Valérie Barkowski is known for her signature approach to handmade home linens and accessories. Her work reinterprets Moroccan craftsmanship : embroidery, tassels, finishing, with a timeless sensibility and contemporary eye. Each creation reflects a world where meaning, quality, and longevity take precedence over trends.
What is the philosophy behind the brand?
The VB approach rests on three principles: respect, transmission, and excellence. Each item is designed to last, made locally in small workshops using traditional techniques. It is an ethic of thoughtful making, less, but better, where heritage gestures meet contemporary life.
Why are the collections produced in small series?
All pieces are made by hand, in limited quantities. This ensures both quality and authenticity, while respecting the pace of the artisans and the materials. Owning a VB piece means choosing something rare, sustainable, and meaningful.
What is the difference between the online and Marrakech boutiques?
The online boutique offers a curated selection, available internationally. The Marrakech space is more intimate, housing one-of-a-kind pieces, special editions, and custom works, as well as the full atmosphere of the VB universe.
Can I visit the VB atelier or boutique in Marrakech?
Yes, the boutique is open to visitors and located in the heart of the medina, a monochrome space, slightly hidden. The atelier is not open to the public in order to preserve the artisans’ working rhythm. However, Valérie occasionally hosts creative retreats in Marrakech, limited to six participants, during which the atelier may be opened. Feel free to write to us for future dates.
How does Valérie Barkowski work with artisans?
For nearly 30 years, Valérie has collaborated with Moroccan artisans, sometimes the same families she began with. She listens, observes, and reinterprets traditional techniques into a language that is hers. This exchange is the essence of her creative and ethical practice.
Consultancy & Projects
Do you offer consultancy for hospitality or interior projects?
Yes. Valérie Barkowski works on bespoke hospitality and interior projects that reflect her values: artisan production, refined design, local anchoring. Her approach is collaborative, not agency-based. Each project begins as a shared intention.
How can I submit a project?
Via the contact form on the website. It’s helpful to include the type of request, location, timing, and key intentions. Valérie accepts only a limited number of projects per year, ensuring full involvement. If your project resonates with her values and availability, a first conversation will be arranged.