07
INSIDER PICKS IN BRUSSELS
by visual artist Jana Phlips, owner of archival fashion store Vêtue. She spills the beans on archival fashion, her neighbourhood, fashion favourite Merryl Rogge, and the reimagined Gateau Basque with pandan caramel at Nenu in Saint-Gilles.
“Vêtue is a luxury resale store in downtown Brussels, where preloved fashion meets a rotating selection of contemporary small-scale designers. A place where the emphasis is on ease rather than spectacle.”
"Archival fashion used to feel niche — for some, the idea of wearing something pre-owned simply wasn't an option. That has changed. The urgency around waste is real, and people are looking for ways to respond to it on their own terms, in their own lives. How we treat our wardrobe turns out to be one of them.At Vêtue the selection is sharp and curated, so people arrive knowing the work has been done for them. Every piece is in perfect condition, of a certain quality, ready to wear."
→ @prose.studio
→ prose - Naamsestraat 6
"The audience has shifted. Early twenties to late eighties, all genders, all backgrounds. What they share is a stronger sense of who they are and how they want to dress. People who enjoy the hunt. Who would rather wear something singular than something everyone else has. For them, walking into a store, touching things, trying them on is a form of self-care. A way of surrounding yourself with beauty, creativity, the unexpected. Something tangible. In a life increasingly shaped by screens and algorithms and virtual everything, that matters more than people perhaps realise."
"Downtown Brussels is always in motion. Intensely mixed on every imaginable level, vibrant, constantly changing. On the street you see people who dress well, who have a sense of identity. Both young and old. I love it."
"Location is key. This neighbourhood oozes heritage. The first Martin Margiela store in the world opened here, Comme des Garçons followed. There has always been an artful community, theatre houses, bookshops, and just around the corner, Stijl. And don't get me started on the vibrant restaurant scene.Nenu is superb, doing something with Asian cuisine in a contemporary and refined way without losing the heritage. For the classics: Vismet for sole with fries, a perfect Belgian dish, impossibly fresh and done to perfection."
01.
"The reimagined Gateau Basque with pandan caramel melts just right." 💚
02.
"Vismet for sole with fries, a perfect Belgian dish, impossibly fresh and done to perfection."
→ Vismet - Sint-Katelijneplein 23
"Nightshop and Kline are my definite go-tosfor the newer wave.
Refinement and ease in equal measure, beautiful wines, and the pleasure of sharing and discovering them."
05.
“MOK does a Barista Breakfast: an espresso and a cappuccino! Cow milk for me, none of the other options."
"And then there is the toastie. Perfect crunch, enough butter to make it nice and greasy, salt sprinkled on top. LOVE."
→ @mok_coffee→ mok - Antoine Dansaertstraat 196
06.
"Henry has a superb menu, great for lunch too.
There since long and always still so good."
07.
"Another great place is Piola Piccola. A perfect Italian espresso, books, and drinks later on."
→ @piolapiccola
→ piola piccola - Fortstraat 15