Antwerp, Belgium + Add a trip

Tips by Antwerp locals

Nice website (in English) with tips from real Antwerp locals

Antwerp Webcam

Want to know what weather it is above Antwerp?

Antwerp's railway station was recently ranked #4 in Newsweek's best railway stations of the world: http://www.newsweek.com/id/178825.

A must see!!

After a hunt for orange colored Delvaux accessories on Saturday, we all made a trip to the exhibition of the brand on Sunday, in the MOMU, called 'Delvaux - 180 years of Belgium luxury'. The exhibition perfectly shows how the designer brand has developed through the years, though also the work it takes to create that one bag, which is still being done by hand. You can definitely see they stick to what they have made about fifty years ago, and at the same time the bags are still adapting to today's wants and needs. Yet now, with Veronique Branquinho as it's artistic director. The number of bags is still relatively small, but then again, that's also what makes the brand even more exclusive.

Elsa itself is a rather new label of shoes, bags and belts, the first collection got created in 2007. The label is a collaboration between Els Proost, Belgian ex-shoe and accessories designer for Dries Van Noten, Emporio Armani, Maison Martin Margiela - and Angelo Penazzato, Italian ex-shoe producer for several famous labels such as Costume National, Hussein Chalayan, Angelo Figus and many more. The designs are somewhat simple, but made with craftmanship in order to create comfort, which results in a unique and elegant type of shoe. You can find Elsa at Nationalestraat 147, in Antwerp. The labels which are currently being sold in the shop are the following: Elsa, Fiorentini & Baker, Hussein Chalayan, Angelo Figus, Roberto Del Carlo, United Nude, Nathalie Verlinden, Ellen Verbeek, Chie Mihara, Vialis, Neosens.

Since 1884, this little shop has been selling handmade leather gloves in numerous shades and colors, and currently stocks over 11,000 pairs. What I loved about this shop is the fact you can still see all the history and effort that has been put into it, you don't feel scared to ask a question, it spreads a warm feeling. If I remember, the blue-ish grey boxes are about eighty years old, and just perfectly fit the custom drawers.The gloves itself are made of high-quality materials, somewhat even surreal, and you don't really feel like taking them off. Lombardenvest 2-4.

In Fine - Maison de Parfum. Not too notable from the outside, but on the inside you can find lots of bright colored perfumes. You could even gift someone an empty bottle as some kind of gift card, and make them discover their personal perfume in the store, which I think is a great idea. Don't you think it's hard when someone gifts you a perfume and you don't actually like it? In Fine is located on Grote Markt 19.

Louis, a minimalist temple of couture, was one of the first shops to sell the designs of the Antwerp Six in the late 80's and also a stockist of Martin Margiela and Raf Simmons. Furthermore you can find some Balenciaga pieces, Lanvin, Rick Owens, and more. And of course, if that doesn't fit your budget (like me, for example) it can still be an enjoyable visit. You can find Louis at Lombardenstraat 2.

This urban shop - not a cafeteria - has three floors of edgy skate and streetwear (superdry, Religion, April77), independent labels, and vintage fashion from the '50s through the '90s (mostly retro punk rock). You can get to the basement shoe department by sliding down a tunnel chute (or the elevator, if that doesn't appeal), and there's a DJ on Saturdays and school holidays. Needless to say, it's a favorite among teens and young hipsters. You can find Fish and Chips at Kammenstraat 36-38.

www.fishandchips.be

Copyright is a rather small bookstore located at Nationalestraat 28a, though one with a wide range of interesting books from fashion to architecture, located at the Modenatie, next to the MOMU Fashion Museum. Personally, I was mostly intrigued by the design of the store by Vincent van Duysen, and thought the mechanics of the door were just brilliant. The dark wood-panelled bookcases make an incomparable contrast to the large windows and white walls. In short: it's not only a bookstore worth to visit because of the selection of books, but also one for the architecture and design.

Labels Inc. supplies second-hand designer clothing from just a few seasons back. The shop sells mostly Belgium labels (the Antwerp Six) like Dries van Noten and relative newcomers such as Tim Van Steenbergen. Every month they display clothes by emerging fashion designers in the shop window. Most price tags are somewhere between 50 and 150 euro's, so it's definitely worth a visit. Aalmoezenierstraat 4.

At Sussies Stocksale at Nationalestraat 127, you can purchase vintage clothing by the kilo, just like at your grocery store on the corner. The clothes are definitely affordable, most items are 10 euro's by the kilo, so you easily end up with a cute little shirt for only two to three euro's. Bags and pumps are 5 euro's, boots for 20 euro's, and nice and warm coats for the winter can also be already found for just 20 euro's. Unfortunately the shop was only opened on Saturdays from 11:00 to 17:00, and we didn't have any time that particular moment...

In a little and lovely building in Antwerp's most popular street for antiques, you can find this special vintage shop which opened not too long ago. What you cannot find in this vintage store are frayed skirts and shirts for a couple of euro's which don't smell that nice anymore, but instead there's a range of quality vintage pieces of well known designers. Items come for example from Paris, London and Ibiza, and pieces from upcoming designers are also being sold here. Kloosterstraat 177.

Hospital is a new concept store which offers several modern luxury labels for men and women, such as clothing from Viktor & Rolf, Sonia Rykiel, Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen, but also accessories from labels like AF Vandevorst and watches from Anonimo.

The complex, located in former horse stables, opened it's doors in December 2008. Owner Jeroen Smeekens and architect Will Erens, have transformed a scrap metal dealer's warehouse into this unique boutique, with an adjoining bar and restaurant called Glorious. In the store you can also find a beautiful restored vintage car, which is for sale as well and will be changed for another one every month. You can find Hospital at the Burburestraat.

Think Twice is a little vintage shop near the Meir, which is mostly focused on streetwise clothing (in contrast to their first shop which is mainly focused on vintage and fur) from mainly Scandinavian labels. There is a wide range of products, from synthetic cardigans from the eighties to floral dresses from the seventies, actually about everything to create an entire new outfit, for an afforable price.

A place where I hadn't been for a long time and one of the best vintage stores in Antwerp. The items may be priced a little bit more than the usual, though still affordable, but what you will get in return is quality in a neat but cosy invironment that doesn't smell like old worn-out stuff. Jutka & Riska is a place where you could easily spend an hour browsing through the vintage dresses, little suitcases, lovely jewelry and jackets. Located on Nationalestraat 87.

An interesting part of our program was a little tour through the shop and rooms of inspiration of Anna Heylen, guided by herself. Anna is a fashion graduate from the Royal Academy of the Fine Arts and got noticed in 1993 with her collection of couture-garbed dolls. She introduced her first women's collection in 1996 and in spite of her worldwide presence, she still works the counter one day a week in her shop in Antwerp, selling formal and informal pieces. Lombardenvest 44.

Located in the heart of Antwerp (Lange Gasthuisstraat 9-11), Verso is a large luxurious clothing store for the financially succeeded ones, offering pieces from the most known high fashion labels such as Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Prada, Cavalli, Armani, Versace, to name a few. The building itself is interesting to watch as well, since it has been created out of two aristocratic palaces from the sixteenth century, and it's been a bank since 1927, before it was turned into this designer store. On their website you can also find an online store, might be appealing to check out the outlet.

One of the most beautiful parks in Belgium. There are regular fireworks displays in September and lots of open air concerts during the summer. Any time of the year it is a beautiful place to visit.

Boutique Hotel HUIS ERGO Bed & Breakfast in Venusstraat of old city center. Huis Ergo is located in the historic town centre, a stone's throw away from the Rubenshuis (Rubens museum) and close to several art galleries, museums and the venerable University of Antwerp. Several popular cafes and restaurants are within walking distance, also 't Eilandje the very polpular inner harbour is at walking distance. You have the choice of three luxurious B&B rooms. The rooms are spacious and bright, each authentically capturing the atmosphere and elegance of old Antwerp. With ample private parking and a heated swimming pool Huis Ergo provides the perfect base from which to enjoy all that our lovely city has to offer.

Get to the source for diamond shopping, AJEDIAM in the the Diamond Exchange. Entrance by invite only.

Since you're allowed to take pictures in the museum, don't forget to take along your camera.