Fashion and the British connection in Antwerp

During our first outing in the new year, we will explore Antwerp from two perspectives, that may be less known but no less fascinating i.e. Antwerp as a world-leading fashion city and its centuries old strong relations with the British Isles.

How better understand the role of Antwerp in the international fashion scene than by paying a visit to Antwerp Fashion Museum (MoMu). The museum houses the largest collection of contemporary Belgian fashion in the world and stands out with its immersive fashion exhibitions. It offers a representative overview of woman wear in Western Europe from the 18^th century to the present. Momu’s collections focus on the work of Belgian designers and alumni of the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and more in particular on the Antwerp Six (Anne Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Walter van Beirendonck and others) whose groundbreaking work dominated the international fashion scene from the 1980’s onward.

Did you know that the British-Antwerp connection and the intertwined history of trade dates to the 12^th century. Indeed, Antwerp became very soon a key market for English goods like wool. English merchants from London, such as the “Merchants Adventurers”, played a crucial role in cross- channel trade with many holding temporary “denizens” status in Antwerp to facilitate their business.

Sir Thomas Gresham’s work in Antwerp in the 16^th century established crucial historical and economic links with the city, then already a major financial center and England. The Antwerp Bourse, the world’s first commodity exchange, which opened in 1531, inspired him to finance and build the Royal Exchange in London, creating a central marketplace for international merchants and contributing to London’s rise as a global financial hub.

During the English civil war (1648-1660) many catholic and royalist families, such as the Cavendishes’, sought refuge in Antwerp.

All this and many other aspects of the intertwined trade relations and shared history will be the focus of a guided city walk which will take us on a journey through British history in Antwerp

Meeting venue and time: The Café of the Antwerp Fashion Museum (MoMu) from 10.30 to 11.00 located in Nationale straat, 28 2000 Antwerpen.

Programme:

• 30-11.00: welcome coffee /tea in MoMu café
• 00-12.30: guided visit in English and Dutch of the permanent collection of the museum and special exhibition on Palestian Embroidery and Dress seen through the lenses of nature, power, splendour and change.
• 00-14.30: lunch in restaurant “De 7 Schaken”, Braderijstraat, 24 Antwerpen and situated at a 10 min’ walk from the museum.

Lunch will consist of 2 courses including a glass of wine/beer/soft drink/water plus coffee or tea. Vegetarian or gluten free meals will be served to participants who indicated this at the time of registration.

• 14:30-16.00: guided city walk in English and Dutch focused on the historical and often hidden gems of the complex relations between Britain and Antwerp.
• 16:00-16.30: aftertaste drink in a brasserie on the Groenplaats (optional)

How to get there:

• By car:

MoMu is situated in the low-emission zone and in the parking zone for residents and permit holders. However, if you wish to park near the museum, you can do so using the following parkings: Cammerpoorte Parking (Nationale straat), Brabo Parking (Kammenstraat) and the Indigo Parking (Groenplaats)

• By public transport (tram or bus):

From Central Station go to Astrid Metro Station and take lines 3 or 5 to Groenplaats (12min’). Tram 9 & 15 (Groenplaats). Bus 22,180,181,182,183 (Groenplaats).