ANTWERPEN

Antwerp is the real urban deal, a refreshingly down-to-earth yet vivacious cosmopolitan habitat blessed with magnificent architecture, fashionable shop fronts, beer-washed pubs, dazzling monuments, jazzed-up clubs, inspired artworks and restaurant tables piled with plates of superb Belgian and multicultural food. Antwerp, home of the Flemish Baroque master Rubens, not only has a wealth of outstanding museums, picturesque galleries, sculpted streets and beautiful architecture, but is also laced with refreshing greenery and urban haunts. Its culture, history, vibrant nightlife and world class shopping are within easy reach, thanks to excellent access by air, train, motorway and even water.  Antwerp, a pocketsize metropolis.

Antwerp can rightfully pride itself on its rich , historic past with world famous artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens and Brueghel. Through the centuries the city has managed to develop a rich and unique, valuable cultural heritage. The city’s museums and historic churches are treasuries in which many of these riches are preserved and on diplay. Take time to stop and admire the cityscapes, the protected monuments and the various statues as well as the Madonnas and other saints that grace Antwerp’s streets.

And even today Antwerp has a sparkling cultural and artistique life. With world famous and lesser known artists, big and small cultural talents. With many theatres, cinemas, galleries,  dance and concert stages. With big established culture houses and experimental free ports. With talked-about and intimate architecture. 

Antwerp World Diamond Centre is not just a slogan. “Antwerp quality” and “Antwerp cut” are international trade terms synonymous with perfect processing and flawless beauty.

Antwerp has a long and magnificent tradition as a diamond city. Since the 15th Century the city has played an important role in the diamond trade and industry.
After the port, the diamond industry is the second pillar of commercial activities. Some 1,500 diamond companies are concentrated in the city centre. In less than one square kilometre, nearby Central Station, more than half of all cut diamonds pass through a network of diamond cutting shops, diamond bourses and selling centres. Of the 25 diamond exchanges worldwide, 4 operate in Antwerp. Elegant showrooms offer the visitor fascinating tours and the opportunity to visit interesting exhibitions.

As a fashion city Antwerp owes its reputation to the pioneers of the fashion movement, the so-called 'Antwerp Six': Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs and Marina Yee travelled to London and Paris together in the Eighties as well as Martin Margiela (the seventh). Together they conquered the fashion world with their very distinct vision of fashion.

In the wake of this inspirational movement a new generation of designers entered the field in the Nineties: Lieve Van Gorp, Anna Heylen, Stephan Schneider, Wim Neels and Christophe Broich. The movement has grown ever since. Raf Simons, Veronique Branquinho, A.F. Vandevorst, Jurgi Persoons, Angelo Figus, Bernhard Willhelm, Bruno Pieters, Tim Van Steenbergen, Anke Loh, Dirk Schönberger, Marjolijn Van den Heuvel, Christian Wijnants, Haider Ackermann, Erik Verdonck, Tom Notte and Bart Vandebosch for Les Hommes are all designers who have studied in Antwerp and still have an atelier, showroom or store in Antwerp.

Since 2002 the fashionable city of Antwerp also has its own fashion centre: the ModeNatie.
In this unique building in the historic centre of Antwerp the Flanders Fashion Institute, (see: MoMu), the Antwerp Fashion Academy, an artistic book store and a brasserie have all found a new home.

The high point of the Antwerp fashion season is the yearly fashion show of the Antwerp Academy, which draws more than 6,000 international visitors.

LINK: ANTWERP TOURISM WEBSITE