Fashion & Design

Flanders

The northern part of Belgium is known as Flanders. All Flemish towns are brimming with quaint medieval squares, tree-lined canals, gorgeous architectural facades, world class museums, trendy fashion and designer boutiques, and friendly outdoor cafés perfect for sipping on one of the many hundreds of different local beers. And – not to forget – the best chocolate in the world...Travelling to Flanders is an unforgettable experience!

Fashion and design is much more than a brand or label: Belgian fashion is about "personality".

With its artistic legacy and history of cloth trading, Belgium was destined to storm the European and international catwalks. And so it did...

While the Antwerp style is often described as avant-garde and dark, Brussels style is well known for its romantic and playful fashion.

Besides the two big fashion cities Antwerp and Brussels, Ghent strikes fashionistas with specialized vintage shops, and also Mechelen, Leuven and Hasselt are nice places for a cosy shopping trip.

So don't hesitate and stop by for an amazing shopping experience in Flanders, full of talent and creativity.

Not to Miss

Antwerp Fashion

When in the 1980's a fashion collective called the "Antwerp Six" took over the city’s old-fellow trademark, they turned Antwerp into the piece of couture heaven it is nowadays. The city prides itself on workshops and stores of fashion talent from Antwerp and elsewhere. Add to this the trendy flagship stores and exclusive store concepts, and you pretty much get a complete picture of fashion in Antwerp.

MoMu

The MoMu, Antwerp's Fashion Museum, is a must-see for fashion lovers. Every year, two themed shows are organised, turning the spotlight on a designer or a unique aspect of fashion. MoMu manages to surprise visitors time and again with its creative use of space and mind blowing techniques for designing exhibitions.

Diamonds

With a far longer tradition even, Antwerp diamonds have a reputation to uphold. Oh yes, if diamonds are a girl’s best friend, no doubt she’ll make many friends here. Diamond shops are plenty, and many offer made-to-custom jewellery to mount your treasure! Take your time to shop around, and be sure to always look for the ADJA label, ensuring you’ve got the real deal.

Lace

Hundreds of craftswomen still work in Bruges and Brussels, centers of bobbin lace, creating intricate work by hand and often using over 100 threads per bobbin. Belgian lace is bought today mainly as a souvenir, and the quality here still remains as fine as it was during the renaissance, when lace was the ultimate fashion statement.

Art Nouveau

If design is a passion, you really should not miss the dedicated Horta Museum in Saint Gilles in Brussels and, while in the area, Flagey, an Art Deco building, once home to the national broadcasting corporation, now a chic arts center and a trendy café.

Design Museum

Behind the charming 18th-century façade of the Design Museum in Ghent lurks a modern, airy building. The central eye-catcher is the enormously tall vase by the Italian designer Andrea Branzi. Temporary expositions supplement the marvellous permanent collection. Also, take a look at the striking toilet wing, even if you don’t need to pay a visit.

Antique Market

Tongeren is the oldest town in Belgium, and home to the biggest antique and flea market in Europe. Every Sunday, from early till noon, the city converts to a gigantic – yet incredibly cosy – antique and flea market. Visitors from all over the world flock here to find that unique”antique. Adding to the fun: there are plenty of outdoor cafés, tasteful restaurants, and interesting sights to discover in Tongeren.

Maasmechelen Village

Maasmechelen Village is an impressive yet cosy outlet shopping centre, situated at a reconverted mine site, very much to the East of Flanders, close to the Dutch and German borders. The neighbouring city of Hasselt earned itself the title "City of Taste" for a reason, so while in the area, do discover this charming city and its bustling shopping and dining scene.