As a student in 1989 Zjef won his first Award for Shoe design at LFM Industry Fair. Then in 1995 also the "Doc Martens Footwear award" for his "doormat sandal". Until about 1998 he was asked by many Museums and Galleries to exhibit his innovative Shoe designs and Art performances. 

 

From 1997-2005 he started his own fetish wear label “The Basement” which specialized in customized fetish designs from his own atelier. His designs were sold during that period in stores in London, Berlin and Amsterdam through the well known RoB shops.

He developed many fetish fashion shows and performances at different party’s and venues worldwide.
He always approached his exclusive designs in Fetishwear as "haute couture" for customers with a very specific taste in style.