INSIGHT
48 hours in Antwerp
So many of us focus on the big European destinations, us included, but sometimes, scratching below the surface to lesser known destinations can reveal so much more.
Antwerp, with the recent reopening of KMSKA after 11 years and a 100m Euros restoration has given visitors a fresh impetus to visit this small, but unique and characterful city. Fashion & food were our primary focus in a whistle stop tour, which took in their destination fashion museum, MoMu, celebrating the singular Antwerp fashion and design culture that launched the iconic Antwerp 6. A wonderful building that creates a sense of the status of fashion in the life and culture of this city, with beautifully curated, thought provoking exhibits and a wonderful café, courtesy of Graanmarkt13.
A city on a smaller scale creates not only a greater sense of intimacy, but the destination stores all seem to inhabit a compelling sense of place, a predominance of independents with a strong sense of their own unique attitude and point of view.
One of these, Natahalie, owned by Nathalie Vleeschouwer, had contrasting marble pieces sourced from the Carrara mountains in Italy, which not only influenced the interior but also her collection, Rock it like a Marmista, in homage to the Marmistas, who draw on their craft and creativity to transform raw marble in works of art.
Essentiel Antwerp have stores globally, but the scale of their store in their home town truly felt like visiting the home of the brand, more colourful, richer and sensuous, celebrating their signature use of bold and contrasting colours.
Essentiel, like another independent, Renaissance we discovered put a strong emphasis on making the changing room area a strong focal point within the store, whilst Renaissance had a beautiful courtyard garden, bringing the outside in. We also noticed ordinary materials such as pebbledash being elevated to a new level in these spaces.
Graanmarkt13, is one of those really special destinations, their house scent created by MH London, and stocking special destination brand such as Susanne Kauffmann, speaking to a sensibility that is clear about brands that align with their ethos. They have a beautiful restaurant space, and also host the café at Momu. There is something truly compelling about these destination concepts where they recognise the value of combining hospitality with retail in a way that creates a truly lifestyle destination that feels unique to its place and location.
Enes, what can one say about an experience which has, at its heart the most beautiful architectural context, rooms with their own identity and character but the Enes team have proven their vision more than a match with their vision of creating individual experiences, from beginning to end, with a recognition that we all possess a pining for a sense of discovery, and a desire to see what is new, and what is next around the next corner. So lovely to feel this experience as a customer because one wants to dwell, and make sure that you have seen it all…
Polette, an eyewear store, challenged the idea of value concepts being less than desirable aspirational spaces, with their beautifully curated space, elevating the product to enhance the perceived value of their ‘faster, cheaper, better’ proposition.
Blueness is one of those magical places, truly beautiful, designed by Studio Copenhagen, their team have drawn their inspiration from the beauty of their building , but sensitively layered in a contemporary sensibility, and with a recognition to the compelling power of lighting that combines the candle lit with considered lights to create an experience that feels so very special, respectful to the architecture of the space, but with a layer of emotional sensitivity to how the customer will feel in that space.
Last but definitely not least, Bun, a Michelin starred Vietnamese restaurant combining fun swing seats at the entrance to set the informal tone, with intimate booths, and exquisitely charming staff and food. They also have a Little Bun, which we did not have time to visit, but for next time, so much to see, where just walking the streets reveals so much to intrigue and discover.
With the rise of the creative class, we as consumers are now more mindful and aware of a brands proposition. We know that authenticity is crucial and stylistic category is no longer relevant, and we instinctively feel the difference when walking into a space and a brand isn’t being genuine or has cut corners, proven beautifully by many of the places we visited here.
So where should we go next? Antwerp has given us a lot of inspiration to be more adventurous and more sustainable by spreading the design love more evenly and not just to the big capital cities.