The story of Alva begins in the quiet years after the war. Belgium was rebuilding. Materials were scarce. Nothing was taken for granted. Albert Vandaele looked at discarded aluminum left behind by the war and saw something else entirely — not scrap, but possibility. With his hands, simple tools, and an unwavering sense of purpose, he began shaping pots and pans meant for everyday cooking. Not objects of luxury. Objects of trust. Cookware that could withstand time, heat, and daily life. From the start, there were no shortcuts. If a piece wasn’t right, it didn’t leave the workshop. It was melted down and made again. Quality was not negotiable — it was a matter of pride. That way of working became Alva.