Quick answer
Antwerp isn't just a fashion city — it's THE fashion city that revolutionized how the world thinks about design. The Antwerp Six, a group of avant-garde designers who graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the early 1980s, challenged every convention and put Belgian fashion on the global map.
- Best overall
- Dries Van Noten
- Top pick
- MoMu Fashion Museum — World-class fashion museum with curated shop in the heart of the Fashion District.
Top verdicts
- MoMu Fashion Museum: Fashion history enthusiasts and anyone wanting context before shopping
- Dries Van Noten: Serious fashion collectors and anyone who appreciates masterful print and textile work
- Ann Demeulemeester: Fans of dark, romantic, deconstructed fashion; anyone drawn to monochrome aesthetics
Today, Antwerp's Fashion District around Nationalestraat remains a pilgrimage site for fashion devotees. You'll find flagship stores from surviving Antwerp Six members like Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, and Walter Van Beirendonck. The MoMu Fashion Museum provides essential context, while concept stores and vintage shops offer everything from emerging designers to rare archive pieces.
Unlike Paris or Milan, Antwerp fashion shopping feels intimate and accessible. You can walk the entire Fashion District in an afternoon, and many shops retain their independent, gallery-like atmosphere. This guide covers the essential stops for anyone serious about Belgian fashion, from luxury flagships to treasure-hunt vintage spots.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MoMu Fashion Museum | museum | mid-high | Nationalestraat 28, Fashion District |
| 2 | Dries Van Noten | designer-flagship | high | Nationalestraat 16, Fashion District |
| 3 | Ann Demeulemeester | designer-flagship | high | Verlatstraat 38, Fashion District |
| 4 | Walter Van Beirendonck | designer-flagship | high | Sint-Antoniusstraat 12, Fashion District |
| 5 | Verso | concept-store | mid-high | Lange Gasthuisstraat 11, Fashion District |
| 6 | Labels Inc | concept-store | mid-high | Aalmoezenierstraat 2, Fashion District |
| 7 | Clinic | concept-store | mid-high | Kloosterstraat 9, Zuid |
| 8 | Coccodrillo | vintage | mid | Schuttershofstraat 9, Historic Center |
| 9 | Fish & Chips | vintage | mid | Kammenstraat 36, Fashion District |
| 10 | RA (Royal Academy Shop) | emerging | mid-high | Blindestraat 9, Fashion District |
1MoMu Fashion Museum
Museum + ShopQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fashion history enthusiasts and anyone wanting context before shopping
- Strengths
- Known for Museum + Shop · Nationalestraat 28, Fashion District
- Limitations
- Shop is smaller than you might expect; museum visit takes 2-3 hours
- Price / value
- €€€
- Why it made the list
- Belgium's only fashion museum, recently renovated with expanded galleries and shop
- What to order
- MoMu Fashion Museum is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
2Dries Van Noten
Designer FlagshipQuick comparison
- Best for
- Serious fashion collectors and anyone who appreciates masterful print and textile work
- Strengths
- Known for Designer Flagship · Nationalestraat 16, Fashion District
- Limitations
- High prices; can feel intimidating; limited sizes in some pieces
- Price / value
- €€€€
- Why it made the list
- The most commercially successful Antwerp Six designer with an unmissable flagship store
- What to order
- Dries Van Noten is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
3Ann Demeulemeester
Designer FlagshipQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fans of dark, romantic, deconstructed fashion; anyone drawn to monochrome aesthetics
- Strengths
- Known for Designer Flagship · Verlatstraat 38, Fashion District
- Limitations
- Very specific aesthetic that's not for everyone; smaller selection than Dries
- Price / value
- €€€€
- Why it made the list
- One of the most influential designers of the past 40 years, with roots deep in Antwerp
- What to order
- Ann Demeulemeester is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
4Walter Van Beirendonck
Designer FlagshipQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fashion risk-takers who want pieces that make a statement; collectors of avant-garde menswear
- Strengths
- Known for Designer Flagship · Sint-Antoniusstraat 12, Fashion District
- Limitations
- Very bold aesthetic not for everyday wear; primarily menswear focused
- Price / value
- €€€€
- Why it made the list
- Still pushing boundaries after 40 years; also heads the Royal Academy fashion department
- What to order
- Walter Van Beirendonck is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
5Verso
Concept StoreQuick comparison
- Best for
- Anyone who wants Belgian fashion at more accessible prices; discovering new designers
- Strengths
- Known for Concept Store · Lange Gasthuisstraat 11, Fashion District
- Limitations
- Smaller selection than dedicated flagships; not the place for iconic signature pieces
- Price / value
- €€€
- Why it made the list
- Perfect middle ground between high-end flagships and vintage; great for discovering new names
- What to order
- Verso is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
6Labels Inc
Concept StoreQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fashion-forward shoppers looking for lesser-known names; those who want to discover new talent
- Strengths
- Known for Concept Store · Aalmoezenierstraat 2, Fashion District
- Limitations
- Small space; selection changes frequently; may not have sizes for all items
- Price / value
- €€€
- Why it made the list
- Consistently ahead of trends; a place to find tomorrow's designers today
- What to order
- Labels Inc is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
7Clinic
Concept StoreQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fans of Japanese fashion and Belgian minimalism; those who appreciate construction quality
- Strengths
- Known for Concept Store · Kloosterstraat 9, Zuid
- Limitations
- Closed Sundays and Mondays; very specific aesthetic
- Price / value
- €€€
- Why it made the list
- Unique positioning between Belgian and Japanese aesthetics; beautiful space
- What to order
- Clinic is a featured pick in this guide.
8Coccodrillo
Vintage + ConsignmentQuick comparison
- Best for
- Vintage lovers; those who want designer pieces at reduced prices; treasure hunters
- Strengths
- Known for Vintage + Consignment · Schuttershofstraat 9, Historic Center
- Limitations
- What's available changes constantly; need patience to find your size; can get crowded
- Price / value
- €€
- Why it made the list
- The best consignment shop in Antwerp with genuine Belgian designer finds
- What to order
- Coccodrillo is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
9Fish & Chips
Vintage + ArchiveQuick comparison
- Best for
- Serious collectors; those hunting for specific archive pieces; fashion historians
- Strengths
- Known for Vintage + Archive · Kammenstraat 36, Fashion District
- Limitations
- Prices can be high for rare pieces; intimidating if you don't know what you want; small space
- Price / value
- €€
- Why it made the list
- The best place in Antwerp for serious vintage designer finds and archive pieces
- What to order
- Fish & Chips is a featured pick in this guide.
🕐 Opening hours
10RA (Royal Academy Shop)
Emerging DesignersQuick comparison
- Best for
- Those who want to support emerging talent; collectors of early-career designer pieces
- Strengths
- Known for Emerging Designers · Blindestraat 9, Fashion District
- Limitations
- Limited hours; small selection; quality varies by designer
- Price / value
- €€€
- Why it made the list
- The source — where Belgian fashion education happens, with a shop supporting graduates
- What to order
- RA (Royal Academy Shop) is a featured pick in this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Antwerp Six?
The Antwerp Six are a group of influential fashion designers who graduated from Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1980-81: Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene, and Marina Yee. They revolutionized fashion with their avant-garde, deconstructionist approach and put Belgian fashion on the global map. Martin Margiela, though not officially part of the group, is often associated with them.
What makes Belgian fashion unique?
Belgian fashion is known for its intellectual, avant-garde approach that prioritizes craftsmanship, deconstruction, and conceptual design over commercial trends. The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp produces designers who challenge conventions with dark romanticism, experimental silhouettes, and a focus on the artistic process. This aesthetic influenced global fashion and continues to shape contemporary design.
Where is Antwerp's Fashion District?
Antwerp's Fashion District centers around Nationalestraat and extends through the surrounding streets including Kammenstraat, Lombardenvest, and Sint-Antoniusstraat. This area houses the MoMu Fashion Museum, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and flagship stores of Belgian designers. The neighborhood is also known as the 'Mode Natie' district.
Is Antwerp fashion shopping expensive?
Antwerp offers fashion at all price points. Flagship stores from Antwerp Six designers are premium (expect 300-2000 euros for main pieces), but concept stores like Verso and Labels Inc offer more accessible prices. Vintage shops like Coccodrillo and Fish & Chips have incredible finds from 30-500 euros. The MoMu shop has affordable designer accessories and books from around 20 euros.
What should I buy from Antwerp fashion shops?
Must-buys include: signature pieces from Dries Van Noten (known for prints and layering), deconstructed pieces from Ann Demeulemeester, bold items from Walter Van Beirendonck, archive vintage from Fish & Chips, designer books from MoMu, and emerging designer pieces from the Royal Academy shop. Belgian accessories like scarves and jewelry are more affordable entry points.
When is the best time to visit Antwerp for fashion shopping?
Visit during sale seasons (January and July) for discounts at designer boutiques. The annual Antwerp Fashion Weekend in September offers special events and access. Avoid Sundays and Mondays when many independent shops are closed. The Royal Academy's graduate shows in June showcase tomorrow's designers. Regular weekday mornings offer the most peaceful shopping experience.
Can I visit the Royal Academy of Fine Arts fashion department?
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts offers limited public access. The graduation shows in June are ticketed events worth attending. The RA shop sells work from recent graduates year-round. MoMu Fashion Museum, located nearby, offers the best insight into Belgian fashion history and often features Academy alumni in exhibitions. Some organized fashion tours include Academy visits.
How do I plan a fashion shopping route in Antwerp?
Start at MoMu for context and inspiration, then walk down Nationalestraat to Dries Van Noten and the designer flagships. Head to Kammenstraat for Fish & Chips vintage, then to Schuttershofstraat for Coccodrillo. End at Kloosterstraat in the Zuid for Clinic and lunch. Most shops are within a 15-minute walk. Allow 4-5 hours for a complete tour, longer if you want to try things on.