Antwerp Sunday

Sunday July 3rd 2016

Exploring Antwerp


Due to the last minute time booking for the Fellowship I hadn't done any of my usual research of places to eat, what to see? etc etc and had in my minds eye that there would be lots of time in between events to do such things. This wasn't the case so it was down to the usual intuition and a sense of not wanting to be where the tourists were!!!

So after MOMU there was a need to find lunch and we found a cathedral, a city museum, the river and a church and grotto along the way.

love the gold leaf

Antwerp Cathedral

and lunch

Sybilla

Reconnecting with one's past fashion passions

MOMU Game Changers

In my late teens, I fell in love with the designs of Spanish designer, Sybilla. The fluid shapes, use of colour and drama. When I began to study millinery, I found her work again, as she also created some hats. So to see her work in Game Changers was welcoming, made me smile, dream and want to create once again. Her pieces in the exhibition showed her skill of fabric use, cut and how to clothe the body in other ways, yet not too different from the norm.Like her Spanish counterpart Balenciaga, she re-frames the silhouette. 

My favourite piece, i spent ages studying the cut

On my searches after the exhibition it was good to see that she has returned to fashion designing. Article in W Magazine.

MOMU Sunday (continued)

MOMU Sunday (continued)

I was slightly Technically Challenged!

one of the films from the opening section

           Following this breathtaking opening was the chance to see a collection of Balenciaga dresses that one rarely has the opportunity to. The first case was a collection of iconic black dresses. Two of these were revolving to enable the detail front and back to be seen which worked so well. There were definitely two dresses here that I would love to try to recreate. Especially the piece with layered shoulders which had a similar silhouette to my most favourite dress. 

 

           Something that I learned after my visit here and the conversation with  the Collections Manager was the importance of perfect mannequin-age the idea that you just see the clothes, this is the holy grail of fashion exhibitions. At MOMU one has found this.

           The opening of the exhibition begins with the phrase ‘Tiger’s Leap’ taken from the writing of Walter Benjamin, fashion’s reflecting on the past to leap into the future. Balenciaga did this in the 1940’s creating a whole new silhouette for women. Far removed from the New Look from Dior, offering new readings of past shapes and continuing to experiment and push boundaries.  

The kimono always an iconic garment, recreated in many forms by many designers. Can it be challenged? Within the exhibition we see new ways of thinking and how the designers brought together for this exhibition have challenged the form.

I learned from the space between body and fabric from the traditional kimono not the style but the space Issy Miyake

The language brings to mind the context behind clothes and how we studying fashion continue to work with a different narrative.

MOMU Sunday

MOMU Sunday

Antwerp Day 2 - July 3rd 2016

           Remembering past free Sunday exhibitions the aim was to get to MOMU exactly on opening time, I had visions of queuing round the block like in Rome. No need to worry just the 6 of us at 10am. Same welcoming ladies as yesterday, simple system of lockers for leaving bags as in Tilburg and of up to the exhibition GameChangers. 

  

           Once again a good welcome by the entrance staff ticket checked and into an introduction of the premise of the exhibition and films of shows and dance from Balenciaga, Comme des Garcons, and more. To the right the first garments to set the scene of what lies ahead. The perfect juxtaposition of a Balenciaga silk gown and a Rei Kawakebu body dress. Instant lift to the heart, you know that you are in safe hands for the rest of the exhibition.

Rei Kawakebu 

Balenciaga

Finding MOMU

Finding MOMU

Antwerp Day 1 - July 2nd 2016

The old town of Antwerp is a wonderful mix of twisted streets, cobbles and quirky exteriors. Arriving in sunshine then being rained upon is always an interesting introduction to a place. The beginning of finding MOMU was crossing the market place mid market, always a joy of smells, colours, textures and people. A fabulous market. Lunch from the Turkish stand. The most amazing wrap ever of goats cheese, vegetables, olives, dates and honey, washed down with mint tea, all for 5 euros. The mix of families, people of all ages and backgrounds queuing for food and sharing the experience, a perfect Saturday.

lunch

people watching

           On through the high end shops, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, mixed in with local designers. The Antwerp residents a different mix of clothes again to Tilburg. More dresses. Less make up than the UK, a more natural look in quality clothes. There seems an awareness of good quality clothes and footwear. The city was full of shoppers, tourists, day trippers, residents and had a great sense of energy and wanting to see more and explore more. The Cathedral visible from most quarters.

Antwerp Cathedral

Nearly there

great vintage inspired store

80's remembered

           MOMU sits on a triangular shaped block of buildings, near to the Dries Van Noten store. An open entrance way with a wonderful moving wall of images from former exhibitions and current promotion. Right next to it is a seriously fabulous book shop akin to the V&A’s book store. Walking in, the atrium is broad, spacious and light filled, designed in teak coloured wood, imposing, yet contemporary, enticing you in with its sense of spectacle. The two reception ladies were really welcoming and informative and became the key to my visit. Finding out that it was Uniqlo Sunday the next day which meant free entry to the museum rather than the usual entry fee and a free T-Shirt.... Then getting the direct emails of the two people I needed to speak to. So a gateway opened and a plan created for Sunday, meant more time to explore the streets of Antwerp.

MOMU entrance

On to Antwerp

On to Antwerp

Having already passed through Antwerp from Brussels to Tilburg  and the brutalist architecture of the station I was intrigued to see more. The earlier train proved to be the slow train passing through every village and town. As I found out later the Antwerp sales which always begin each year on July 1^st are a big pull for the inhabitants of the Netherlands. It was a busy station. Intriguing with the vote that we just had in the UK that this ease of movement will be lost. This neighborliness and collaborative spirit.

Antwerp station is phenomenal coming out of the depths of three floors down up into the grandeur of gold and carved stonework, stations of old, promising adventure and excitement. The hotel was only 5 minutes walk away. Stations may occasionally need better sign posts or I need to map read better. The jaunt through the slightly scrubby streets to the west of the station didn’t promise greatness, hotel found, wonderful staff and a room of peace and quiet, the next part of the adventure could begin.

I was in Antwerp to explore MOMU the fashion museum. The challenge was that none of my correspondence had been replied to. So a Saturday afternoon jaunt into the centre to get my bearings and work out where MOMU was and whether there was another way to connect. Quite nerve wracking and angst creating thinking how would I build the research without a contact. Thoughts that I could just commute back to Tilburg if it really didn’t happen but not ideal.

I have never visited Belgium prior to this trip and was intrigued to explore and gain a sense of place and people. Antwerp felt safe, engaging, open and accessible. There is a sense of wealth with an exceptional range of shops and places to eat yet a society that works as a society. The first afternoon boded well for the week ahead whatever happen.

MOMU entrance

Antwerp skyline