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Belgium’s latest fashion styles and hangouts with Veerle Windels
Kustlaan 45-49, Knokke, tel: +32 (0)50 601 978
Three years ago, the x-line concept was launched on the Belgian market: a fashion collection for women that don’t fit into regular boutique sizes but love a well-made, trendy garment. Today, there are five self-standing stores featuring x-line in Belgium – the latest one has opened in Knokke. Interior architect Glenn Sestig did a great job, juxtaposing polished materials with rough textures for this simple, minimal interior.
Kammenstraat 18, Antwerp, tel: +32 (0)3 232 50 08, www.guru.it
Matteo Cambi, the owner of Italian fashion company Guru, may be a star in homeland Italy, but in Belgium, he’s a relative newcomer. This is all set to change with a whole new Guru store in Antwerp’s hippest part of town. The collection is great – featuring inspiring jeans and jackets and funky tops – and so is the store concept by Puresang. Designer Will Erens invites us into a living room reminiscent of Italian glamour and 1950s luxury.
Leysstraat 20, Antwerp tel: +32 (0)3 232 33 36
An adventurous spirit? Then perhaps the Marlboro Classics collection is just what you’ve been looking for. The first Belgian concept store takes us back to the active lifestyle of the American Far West, with a series of jeans, leather jackets and boots that fit perfectly with the casual trendy look of today. The timber, leather and steel interior combines traditional with modern, classic with contemporary. More Marlboro Classics stores are due in Brussels, Ghent and Liège.
Lombardenvest 76, Antwerp, tel: +32 (0)3 231 98 31, www.monar.be
Coolhunters may have checked out the store already: Sur+ by Monar boasts a great selection of shoes and bags, from Diesel and Replay to Converse and Fiorucci, Baby Phat and Onitsuka Tiger. This is the fifth store in the Monar empire, built up by Monique and Arrie de Maeijer (who opened their first store in 1968) and continued by their children Els, Steven and Tom. Els selects the collections, and loves to check out international fairs, sourcing new labels each season. Architect Nancy Cool designed the interior of the shop and played with a new way of displaying shoes: on and in barrels.
M.de Layensplein 7, Leuven, tel: +32 (0)16 65 21 61, www.vanhassels.be
Belgium is well-known for its trendy children’swear collections, and Van Hassels, launched in 1952, is one of the most established brands. Designer Rika Beauduin has a way with colours and playful combinations that has contributed to the label’s popularity. Two years ago, a Van Hassels concept store was opened in Aalst and this has been followed by a second in Leuven. Architect Pascal François lived up to the image of both the Van Hassels and the Limon collections (the latter being the babywear line) and didn’t just think of the parents – there’s also a large indoor playground in the store to keep the kids happy while mum and dad browse.
Shop on-board
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