The Art of Thinking
Fashion Quietly
In Antwerp, the notion of luxury is less obvious than in larger cities. Living well and stylishly here is about appreciating craft and authenticity whilst eschewing trends and novelty. This mindset is palpable in the city’s most coveted places—from serene concept stores housed in carefully restored townhouses to tucked-away galleries and understated restaurants steeped in history.
Ilse Cornelissens, Co-Founder of Graanmarkt 13 offers an impressive cast of Belgian designer names.
(Maison Ë Visit) “We sometimes laugh and call Antwerp ‘the city that never wakes up’ because of the slow energy here, but of course, the saying is not true”, jokes Ilse Cornelissens, the co-founder of one of Antwerp’s most coveted concept stores, Graanmarkt 13. “A lot is happening, plenty of cool new things opening, but even within times of change, it can still feel very calm and slow here, almost like a village.” Cornelissens can directly attest to the allure of Belgium’s second most populous city, after moving here and launching the business with her husband Tim Van Geloven from the more significant (and much more celebrated) Dutch capital Amsterdam.
Graanmarkt 13 itself encapsulates the charming, laid-back allure of Antwerp. The retailer is housed in a spacious 19th-century townhouse on a picturesque cobblestoned square. Stocking a thoughtful selection of tasteful, top-tier international brands like London’s Perfumer H and Japan’s Auralee in a space created by one of the world’s most lauded designers Vincent Van Duysen, it all sounds grand on paper.
Yet, step inside as the sun gently dims on a cool Spring evening, and you’ll discover a venue that is relaxed, approachable, and utterly un-ostentatious. The architecture, while refined, doesn’t attempt to cover up the creaks and scuffs of the centuries-old building. Instead, it embraces them, adding a sense of storied character to the luxurious offering. On the racks, the men’s and women’s wear from international designers mingle with an equally impressive cast of Belgian names. “I think not many people realize it, but more than half our brands are Belgian: Sofie D’Hoore, Bernadette, Michaël Verheyden, Caroline Bosmans, the list goes on,” recounts Cornelissens.
Design that endures
Speaking to the city more broadly, Cornelissens explains there’s a culture of appreciating and practicing good design that is passed on generationally. “I think a lot of Antwerp’s talent learn from the generations before them,” she says. “This deep-rooted appreciation of quality comes from being raised here. It was the same for us. We learned a lot about quality from being here, especially from people like Vincent. We would never have had this education had we stayed in Amsterdam.”
Van Duysen is one of Antwerp’s most recognizable talents in the realm of design, but he’s one of many. After all, this is the home of legendary fashion designer Dries Van Noten and the famous Antwerp Six collective he was a part of, which rose out of the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.
History and future merge
Even the more modern businesses here take cues from Antwerp’s storied past. Elliot & Ostrich is a by-appointment jewelry brand founded in 2018 by Jennifer Elliot, who was joined by business partner Sylvie Arts in 2020.
“The vision for us is not about creating hype,” Elliot explains of the brand’s approach to client consultation, which happens within a softly hued, warmly designed space discreetly tucked away in a commercial building. “What people say about our style is that it’s timeless yet distinctive,” she adds of Elliot & Ostrich’s collections, which blend local jewelry-making expertise with contemporary elegance. Pieces such as the Maasai Collection necklaces take inspiration from her African heritage and Antwerp’s distinctive fashion culture. This stacking necklace series incorporates natural gemstone beads, each selected for its unique energy and healing properties, echoing traditional Maasai adornment. She adds that her design philosophy marries seamlessly with the city’s energy. “Antwerp is full of incredibly stylish people, and our designs somewhat reflect this style—classic, but with a unique twist.”
Slow Fashion since 1884
We wrap up our journey at a much older business that encapsulates all that is best about this city, the historic glove retailer Ganterie Boon. Founded in 1884, it has remained a family company through several iterations. Its current owners are Erik Van Heuven and his daughter, Roxanne Van Heuven, whose tenure began last September and who’ve just sailed successfully through their first winter season. Erik uses his extensive background (he’s served as CEO of Belgian department store chain Galeria INNO and held executive positions at Karstadt Kompakt) to support Roxanne in maintaining the store’s heritage and its focus on handcrafted quality whilst innovating the business. Today, it’s situated in a beautifully preserved Art Deco building from 1929, formerly part of the original businesses workshop. The shop still features its classic glove boxes, countertops, cabinets, and chairs, offering an enchanting and personalized shopping experience. “People joke that it’s like a Harry Potter shop and come in asking for a wand,” says Roxanne, presenting the beautiful lambskin, peccary (South American boar skin), deerskin, and mouton retourné (inverted lambskin) gloves. European-made men’s and women’s are available here. “Many customers come here as tradition; they know the quality is high because past generations of their family members have come here too.
Antwerp is full of incredibly stylish people, and our designs reflect that aesthetic in their own way—classic, with a distinctive twist.
Vitally, its visitors are not just locals; travelers to the city make a pilgrimage here for the well-made wares on offer. “We’re the oldest fashion store in Antwerp,” says Erik Van Heuven. “But we’re attracting new customers every day—from Asia, from Europe, and from the US.” Under the new custodianship, the business has recently rebranded (paying close attention to its incredible past in its identity and packaging), and it is paying close attention to the codes of contemporary luxury brands. Yet service is personal (not pre-rehearsed) because the place is family-run, and even when trying on the finest leather pieces, the atmosphere remains relaxed. “If we were to multiply this business and put it in 20 cities around the world, it would not work anymore,” explains Erik Van Heuven. “This place is a unique icon of Antwerp. Sure, it is one category, and people ask us, ‘How can you make money with just gloves?’ but the secret to success is slowness. It is slow retail, it is original retail, and we are not changing the DNA of what has made this business successful for well over 100 years.”
The sentiment echoes an ethos here in Antwerp of measured, intentional growth. Success here isn’t defined by rapid expansion or relentless innovation but by patience, authenticity, and an appreciation for doing things well. It turns out, this feeds very well into the attractiveness of the city to visitors—a place to enjoy the well-made in the most laidback way.
Dries Van Noten
Under the creative direction of Belgian designer Julian Klausner, the brand’s finest garments are showcased in a historic Antwerp building, where style and heritage intertwine.
Ganterie Boon
A family-run glove business since 1884, today this retailer offers luxurious lambskin and peccary gloves in a charming Art Deco building. This enduring establishment continues to uphold the traditions of expert craftsmanship, with its signature pieces all made-in-Europe.
La Collection
The Antwerp flagship of La Collection, designed by founders Florence Cools and Artur Tadevosian, combines art, literature, and vintage furnishings, reflecting the brand’s dedication to tailored design and timeless elegance in their ready-to-wear collections.
Graanmarkt 13
A 19th-century townhouse where Belgian and international design converge is a welcoming space that fosters elegance and comfort. This refined setting offers a relaxed atmosphere for appreciating well-curated collections.
Elliot & Ostrich (Jewellery)
Founded by Jennifer Elliot and Sylvie Arts, the brand specializes in bespoke 18-carat gold jewelry, handcrafted in Antwerp. Their private atelier, “The Nest”, offers personalized consultations by appointment, guiding clients to create pieces that reflect their unique stories. The brand emphasizes ethical sourcing, selecting top-tier gemstones and natural diamonds.