Edith Vervliet, head of the FFI

The Showroom Antwerp in NY was a succes. After Paris, the city that never sleeps was covered by Antwerp designers. Dries Van Noten & the other five stayed at home. This was the moment to shine of Stephan Schneider, Anna Heylen, Anke Loh, Indriz Jossa, Lenny Leleu, Marc-Philippe Coudreye and Peter Ceursters to show their pieces of art...

Edith Vervliet (photo), head of the Flanders Fashion Institute, is taking care of 'her' seven children. But will they eat out of the Big Apple?



Wat was the basic idea of the ASNY?
Edith V: "The concept of Showroom Antwerp is to show a mix of new talent with established names, which will increase the attractiveness. The magnificent panorama of New York that the Flanders House offers, gave a exceptional cachet to the event."

How was the NY experience?
Edith V: This first edition of Showroom Antwerp in NY has been mostly a lot of resonance in the press, both in the USA as in Belgium. There were 280 attendees at the opening of Antwerp showroom. It is clear that Antwerp is a strong brand and appeals to the U.S. market. But we are also aware that it is not so easy for buyers (potential outlets for designers: multi-label boutiques and department stores) about to come on.

Will there be a sequel?
Edith V: "Showroom Antwerp was set up to be continued, but obviously in the coming weeks we need to evaluate before deciding whether we'll go back in September 2010. Everything can always be improved and this also applies to the first edition of Showroom Antwerp NY. Our experience with Showroom Antwerp in Paris taught us that we need three to four seasons before the initiative is up and running. Rome wasn't built in one day ... Our ambition is to continue with Showroom Antwerp in Paris and New York."



What can we expect in the near future of the FFI?
Edith V: "We have some exciting things going on. From March 5th till the 9th the Antwerp Showroom runs during the Paris Fashion Week Autumn / Winter 2010-2011 women's collections.
Closer to home we look forward to Vitrine Antwerp in June. Designers show their work in shop windows and unique public spaces in the city of Antwerp. And recently FFI (together with Antwerp Tourism & Congress) created a new edition of the Antwerp Fashion Map launched in five languages (NL, F, E, D and Sp) and for sale at the info desks of Tourism Antwerp and Copyright Book Shop."
Thank you Edith, keep up the good work!


Diane von Fürstenberg came to visit the Antwerp Showroom in NY.

Marc Jacobs step by step

Ladies, don't get too crazy, but there is a boutique every woman should visit...

In the shadow of the Fashionmuseum, you will find one of the most beautiful shoeshops in town. The interior is completly Art-Deco inspired, the atmosphere takes you in one blink back to the 1930s. I loved it from the moment I walked in...



The list of brands is exciting: Marc Jacobs, Michel Vivien, Pura Lopez are just a few Guy Thiron can put on your feet. He opened his shop in february 2009 and believe me, he's here to stay. So get your asses overthere, shoe-lovers!

Thiron
Drukkerijstraat 6
2000 Antwerpen
+32(0)3 227 20 27

Spot of the week!

You can always visit the gallery of the FashionMuseum on the groundfloor FOR FREE. Nowadays the third year students of the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp are exposing their ethnic costumes....




Using the ethnic costume and resources as a reference, the colours, fabrics, patterns, techniques, accessories and styling are developed and realised. In the third year students are expected to push their work to new heights to create a visionary collection that really highlights the students' personality, creativity, skills, direction and passion.
Go & explore I would say...

MoMu (Fashion Museum)
Nationalestraat 28
2000 Antwerpen

Coppens by Princess

Famous designer of hats & accessories, Christophe Coppens will open a Salon in the shop of Princess at the Meir in Antwerp. Specially trained staff will welcome you on the first floor next month, march 2010. It's necessary to make an appointment, so you'll get the advice and service you deserve...



He's very much loved by the popstars. Roisin Murphy wears his pieces of art on her Tour, Rihanna adores his style. Do I need to say more?



Princess
Meir 51-55
2000 Antwerpen

Tel.: +32(0)32312122

Getting high with the stars...

Graduate of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts Fashion department (master course 2008), Yuima Nakazato won already several awards in his young designer life: Vertice Award, BVBA32 Award from Ann Demeulemeester, Coccodrillo shoes award (two times and these shoes were selected for the permanent collection of the Fashion Museum of Antwerp!). He is a promising talent for the fashionworld, that's for sure.



Now he's making friends with the popstars. Misses Fergie herself is wearing his fabulous costume on her Us Tour concert of the Black Eyed Peas. Keep up the good work Mister Yuima Nakazato! Antwerp is proud of you...

Swap away!

Do you have clothes you almost never wear anymore? But they are still goodie-good? Or maybe you bought pants, shoes, skirts, T-shirts you NEVER wear? Than I have a perfect solution: a clothing swap on a lazy sundayafternoon.
Sunday the 28th of February people are swapping their clothes in the City Centre of Antwerp!
Where? Kavka, Oudaan
When? 28/02/10
From? 3pm
Extra? Music 'n Cake
Go to the facebookpage if you have any questions.

Black is back!

The Fashion Museum of Antwerp will be presenting their latest exposition at the end of March! The color black is present in fashion already for centuries. The collection will show silhouettes of Ann Demeulemeester, Olivier Theyskens, Dirk Van Saene, Givenchy (Riccardo Tisci), Chanel, Gareth Pugh and many others... To be continued!

Masters of black in fashion & costume
From 25/03/10 till 08/08/10
MoMu Antwerp



Don't forget, the expo of Delvaux will be entering its last week! If you still really want to see exhibition, I'm guiding the last time on sunday 14th of february at 1pm. Wanna join? Go to my facebookpage and subscribe!

Shop till ya drop!

That's what you can do whenever walking through the Wilde Zee area. You'll see, in between some of the finest cookies and chocolate shops in town, the name "Closing Date" appear.

In the middle of this exciting shoppingarea of Antwerp, you'll find this sweet and little boutique with big names. The owner of the shop, Pia Versele, has a special sense for fashion for more than 30 years. Dsquared, Vivienne Westwood and Coming Soon (Yohji Yamamoto) are just a few of the designers you'll find there...



Closing Date
Korte Gasthuisstraat 15
2000 Antwerpen
Open:
Mon-Sat: 11am-6pm