9
ARCHIVAL SHOPS TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR
The Antwerp vintage scene has its own unique dynamic and vibe. With a direct, obvious link to major Belgian designers, the scene benefits from a vast local supply, drawing heavily from Belgian collections—but that’s not all. More and more international buyers and collectors are finding their way to Antwerp. The combination of seasoned trailblazers who have been working hard for years and a new generation of digital natives who add an almost museal layer of storytelling to the process creates a unique dynamic.
01.
AN/ARCHIVE
“The rise of vintage is unstoppable,” says Maurice. “Young and old are shopping more consciously than ever. It’s not only ecological and affordable, but also unique. That feeling of having found a treasure provides an extra dimension that you don’t get in a regular retail environment.”
"For fashion historians, critics, and collectors, the “Topless Tabi” represents perhaps the purest expression of Margiela’s founding ethos: anti-fashion as conceptual art."
Maison Margiela– Topless Tabi’s SS ’96
02.
LABELSINC
"We are dedicated to offering a cutting-edge aesthetic with an accessible price point. That last part is just as important to me."Erna Vandekerckhove, LabelsInc pioneer.
Add a touch of that Antwerp rock-n-roll whateverness (check the story in the print edition of Erna from LabelsInc, who chatted with Ian Astbury for an hour without recognizing him), and you perfectly capture the down-to-earth attitude and international appeal of the Antwerp vintage scene.
Noah Betzholz of Vertical Rags—an influential online shop that recently opened a permanent space in the city after a series of successful pop-ups—explains: “The city has this calm, almost meditative creative atmosphere, and a fashion culture that feels deeply dedicated rather than performative. Compared to the bigger hubs like Paris or London, Antwerp feels intimate and thoughtful. Paris has its grand stages and its fashion-industry machinery; London has its youthful energy and subcultural streaks. But Antwerp operates at its own frequency—slower, deeper, and more attuned to the craft itself. The people here value innovation without the need for flashiness. It’s a scene where individuality and artistic integrity matter more than trends or noise.”
"Our clientele is incredibly diverse,” notes Ellen of Luxeparel, the intimate vintage boutique on the Mechelsesteenweg. “It ranges from Gen Z-ers looking to score a designer IT-bag at a lower price, to seasoned fashionistas precisely hunting for a specific Dries Van Noten piece. There is a strong focus on vintage, but we curate iconic heritage pieces alongside contemporary fashion. By ‘vintage,’ we don’t mean items from the ‘70s, but rather iconic ‘90s and Y2K pieces. Our customers bypass the high street, choosing curated pre-loved pieces to personalize current trends and achieve a look that’s distinctly elevated and unique.”The boutique itself—which feels like a mix of a private apartment and a chic Parisian salon—confirms thisfocus on the dialogue between contemporary trends and vintage. “Our physical store is where we truly connect with clients and help them discover pieces that fit their style.Our online presence extends this experience to a broader audience.”
“The intersections with other art forms hold endless potential. Bringing people together, learning from each other, growing together — that’s the core of what we do.”
STOF founders Maude Van Dievoet and Karina Zharmukhambetova.
"Styling—interpreting both the vintage collections and the upcycled pieces—is a crucial part of the story. By combining pieces, assessing how they feel, and working toward a total look, a different way of seeing emerges."
07.
ROSIER41
Viviane Van Werelyckhuysen’s ROsier41 has been a true Antwerp pioneer for over fifteen years. Specialised in Belgian designers, she also invests in the next generation, giving window space to fashion students from Antwerp and Brussels.
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