In Brussels, creativity reflects the way of life: inventive, even extravagant. Brussels fashion is of high quality and rich in these qualities; and produces collections that do not date. The architects of Brussels design continue to push the envelope of inventiveness by combining improbable substances and materials. But the capital is much more than a crossroads for creative influences: Brussels can also be secretive and exclusive, shyly revealing the extent of its talents, but exporting them to the four corners of the world. Contents: 1. The fashion and design districts 2. Couturiers and designers in Brussels - Fashion and accessories - Design - Jewellery 3. Some addresses for shopping for - Fashion and accessories - Design - Miscellaneous 4. A tribute to vintage 5. How to find it? 6. Cultural and exceptional places to visit 7. Events 8. Schools and professional contacts 9. visit.brussels contact information 2 I. The fashion and design districts Creativity in fashion and design can be found everywhere in the region, but some districts are definitely known for their dynamism and their array of outlets. Here is a brief overview. The Dansaert district, where creative young people show off their talents. For several years now, stylists from Brussels' best schools have taken over Rue Dansaert and the surrounding area. Their boutiques and workshops have turned this district into the place to shop and scope out the very latest trends. Brussels' fashion hotspot, this is where you can find the international brands (COS, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Zadig & Voltaire, IKKS, Maje, etc), as well as, above all, the Belgian labels (Valérie Berckmans, Martin Margiela, Saskia Shutt, Johanne Riss…). The boutiques are charming and the cafés trendy, making it a very pleasant area for window-shoppers. The Dansaert district is the size of a pocket handkerchief, but it is brimming over with creativity, originality and unusual places. In the rue des Chartreux, you must stop for a gourmet break at the Café Greenwich, a magnificent Art Nouveau brasserie where René Magritte was once a regular. A little further on, the Hunting and Collecting concept store displays a selection of designer items exclusive to Belgium, and also organizes a series of happenings throughout the year. Rue Antoine Dansaert is obviously the best-known street in the district , featuring places like Kartell, the temple of design, and Le Pain Quotidien, a famous name that has now been exported to Europe and New York. L'Archiduc is the place to find jazz, and it's not unusual to run into some famous artists there. Amongst other people, Lady Gaga and Tony Benett made a private showcase there .The magnificent boutique Stijl, one of the oldest, is irresistible. It is actually the reason for the district's dedication to fashion. But the district also offers many other delightful destinations, like Maison Margiela, Urban Therapy, Kartel, La Fabrika, Diito, Showroom 144… and many restaurants (San, Gramm, Pré-Salé…) There are real hidden treasures: discover the Maison de la Bellone hiding in the rue de Flandre or the Beguinage neighbourhood, where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll when the sun is shining. The Marolles and Sablon districts, a tribute to vintage In Marolles, the oldest working-class district in Brussels, you will find a thousand and one treasures. In the heart of the neighbourhood, on the unmissable Place du Jeu de Balle, there is a flea market every day of the week from 6 am to 2 pm. You can stroll among the many stalls in a cosmopolitan, convivial atmosphere. But the charm of these neighbourhoods does not end there; the little alleys of Marolles are known for their antique dealers and vintage shops. Creativity is here in abundance and young trend- setters have invaded the area. As proof, the recent renovation of the old fire station on the Place du Jeu de Balle is a real centre of "cool" . You can also find initiatives like "En stoemelings" , a typical Brussels brasserie, and the Ateliers des Tanneurs, the old tanners' workshop, that is an architectural curiosity and houses an ecological produce market from Tuesday to Sunday. Sablon and Marolles are obviously best known for their antique dealers and vintage shops, but let's not forget the few chocolatiers with their tempting windows (Marcolini, Frédéric Blondeel, Patrick Roger, Godiva…) and the gourmet concepts "Pistolet Original" . Some designers have also found a 3 home around Sablon (Christa Reniers, Les Brusselois(e)s, Jean Paul Knott, Lunetier Ludovic, Natan, Johanne Riss, Diane Von Furstenberg DVF etc.) and there are some must-see galleries dedicated to comic books and contemporary art (Champaka, sorry we are closed, etc.). The Louise district where exclusivity and the big chains reign supreme The upper part of the city, once a bourgeois stronghold, has almost naturally become a classy shopping area. Paris has its Champs Elysées, New York has its Fifth Avenue, and Brussels has its Avenue Louise and Boulevard de Waterloo. Avenue Louise and Galerie Louise, Boulevard de Waterloo, Rue de Namour, Avenue de la Toision d'Or and the neighbouring streets are a veritable kaleidoscope of shopping. On these legendary streets, window-shopping takes you from Brussels' own couturiers and designers (Natan, Sabine Herman, Isabelles Baines, etc), to Belgian designer labels (Bellerose, Delvaux, Carine Gilson, Essentiel Antwerp, etc.) from luxury articles to the big international brands (Chanel, Kenzo, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany etc.), from classical to trendy. Just the route to take to find some high-quality souvenirs for yourself or your loved ones. Not far away are the bourgeois-Bohemian neighbourhoods par excellence: Châtelain , Bailli and Brugmann . Unadvertised little boutiques proliferate (Lilù handags, Cheep Petit, Chouke, Mook’s, Appart n°17, etc.), as do places for gourmet food and drink (Knees to chin, Makisu, Supra, etc.). On Wednesdays, the Châtelain market is the place to be . 4 II. Designers in Brussels Fashion and accessories The talented designers of Brussels export to the four corners of the world. Some even collaborate with the big international houses, the best known being Anthony Vaccarello, Cédric Charlier and Olivier Theyskens. Others have chosen to keep one foot in Brussels, a capital brimming over with creativity. Bellerose Bellerose is a Belgian ready-to-wear brand created in 1989. It was originally menswear but today it has clothes for the whole family. Its style is quite casual and for everyday wear. Chaussée de Waterloo 1213, 1180 Bruxelles + Rue des Chartreux 11, 1000 Bruxelles +Chaussée de Charleroi 5, 1030 Bruxelles + Place Brugmann 19, 1050 Bruxelles www.bellerose.be Café Costume A top of the range address where men can have a made-to-measure suit tailored. High-quality fabrics and unequalled expertise. Rue Léon Lepage 24, 1000 Brussels www.cafecostume.com Carine Gilson This lingerie designer grew up in the world of fashion. Fascinated by silk and lace, her creative instincts lean toward exceptional, hand-made pieces. Carine Gilson puts her expertise at the service of her very exclusive clientèle to make one-of-a-kind, made-to-measure creations. To give just one example, one of her creations appeared in the film Skyfall, worn by Bérénice Marlohe. Boulevard de Waterloo 26, 1000 Bruxelles www.carinegilson.com Conni Kaminski Conni Kaminski, fashion designer and Brussels by adoption, uses draping techniques and invents new cuts. She creates sublime, asymmetrical pieces, produced entirely in Belgium. Rue du Marche au Charbon 102, 1000 Brussels www.connikaminski.com Delvaux Delvaux, the oldest leather goods firm in the world, was founded in Brussels in 1829 by Charles Delvaux. Maison Delvaux has been a supplier to the Court since 1883. The quality and refinement of its products are known worldwide. Delvaux bags, "it bags" that never go out of fashion, are true gems. Boulevard de Waterloo 27, 1000 Brussels Galerie de la Reine 31, 1000 Brussels www.delvaux.be Diane von Fürstenberg (DVF) Diane von Fürstenberg is a Belgian-American fashion designer known internationally. Her creations have been worn by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, Madonna… 5 Rue du Grand Cerf 11, 1000 Bruxelles https://www.dvf.com/ Edouard Vermeulen-NATAN Edouard Vermeulen, the famous Belgian couturier, best known for dressing the Belgian royals, is the artistic director of Maison Natan. Edouard Vermeulen/Natan is one of this house's lines. Avenue Louise 158, 1050 Brussels + rue de Namur 78, 1050 Bruxelles www.natan.be Elvis Pompilio Convinced of the need for accessories that complement clothes, Elvis Pompilio launched his own line of hats. For almost 30 years, Elvis Pompilio has worked with a number of celebrities all over the world: Ma- donna, Amelie Nothomb, Blondie, Lio, Harrison Ford, Mickey Rourke and Arielle Dombasle are regular customers, as are some royal families. After opening and closing several boutiques, he decided to set up his showroom in Brussels in order to work there full time and explore the artistic side of his personality. Showroom: Avenue Louise 437, 1050 Brussels (by appointment) www.elvispompilio.com Eric Beauduin This designer has a special affection for clothes. A desire to free himself from the constraints of over- consumption gave him the idea of creating an experimental collection of bags made from second-hand clothing, mainly in fabric and leather. Each item is unique and reuses the pockets, the patina and maybe even the soul of the original garment. For five years, the experiments in the workshop have been continuing... And the shop is still open. Chaussée de Charleroi, 229, 1060 Brussels www.ericbeauduin.be Fabienne Delvigne Fabienne Delvigne specializes in creating and making hats, bags, jewellery and other haute couture accessories. Incedibly imaginative, she loves to work with other talents to develop her skills in new but always elegant and refined ways.