Ann Demeulemeester is a member of the famous Antwerp Six, a group of avant-garde fashion designers who trained under Linda Loppa in the '80s and rose to international renown in the '90s, putting Antwerp on the map as a fashion capital. The eponymous brand's flagship store in Antwerp is a must-visit—not only for fashion, jewelry, shoes and accessories, but also for design and lifestyle (in 2019, Demeulemeester partnered with Belgian homewares brand Serax to launch a collection). The store was renovated in 2021.

In Antwerp's theater district, in a renovated house dating back to the 1830s, Frank Van Laer gathers a unique collection of European and global art and antiques, from the 1600s to the 1950s.

Falling leaves on a tree branch, jade green river rocks, an auburn forest and a full moon could all be seen as inspiration for Catherine Rochtus’ jewelry pieces. Indagare insider Boris Vervoordt, a friend of Rochtus, says her unique pieces are inspired by nature, and that he loves her intimate shop at Kanaal. Shop her collection of rings, earrings, bracelets and more.

Launched by Christian Wijnants in Antwerp in 2003, this womenswear brand plays with pattern, color and texture. It's known for its versatile knitwear and edgy, clean silhouettes. There's a sister store in Berlin, and the brand is also stocked around the world at top retailers.

“Next to the MOMU, the Fashion Museum, Copyright is a great bookshop specializing in books on architecture, art, and fashion,” says Indagare inside Boris Vervoordt. “I always find a special present here.” You’ll also find books on various lifestyle topics, plus photography and typography.

Founded in 1974 by Freek Kamerling, Dille & Kamille is a Belgian kitchen store (with multiple retail locations in the country) that is like the Belgian version of Williams-Sonoma, with a major sustainability focus.

Inside of a four-story townhouse on the Volkstraat, Enes is a multi-brand, multi-experience store. Bounce from room to room to shop for beauty products plus hand-picked women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry and home decor. There are also books and magazines for sale, so when you’re done shopping, grab one and head to the bar on the patio for a drink while you relax.

“Going off-piste since 1999,” Essentiel prides itself on offbeat yet luxurious fashion, where bold prints, color and eccentricity are the focus. Clothing racks line the store’s pink walls, and white tabletops hold chunky tennis shoes, vibrant statement bags and quirky accessories. It’s a great place to find a fun dress, an eye-catching sweater or a pair of shoes that make an ordinary outfit extraordinary.

As a leading Scandinavian fashion brand, Filippa K sells clothing and accessories for men and women, with sustainability top of mind. The company works to provide traceability and transparency to consumers, and keep environmental impact low. Shop for dresses, shirts, pants, blazers, sweaters, jeans and more, all in a clean-cut style that’s simple yet professional.

Founded by Ilse Cornelissens and Tim Van Geloven, this trendy concept store includes spaces for high-end fashion and accessories, design and collectibles and beauty products—all sourced by the stylish pair. There is also a wonderful, bistro-style restaurant (open for lunch and dinner) on-site that won Michelin green stars in 2021 and 2023, under the direction of chef Chollada ‘Tan’ Phimharua. And to complete the complex, there's a rentable apartment, which was renovated by the renowned Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen (Tim and Isle live upstairs).

Antwerp Six designer Dries Van Noten's hometown flagship store sits in the Het Modepaleis (Fashion Palace) building, which was built in 1881 and is a listed landmark (which was originally a gentleman's outfitters). Opened in 1989, the flagship contains five floors displaying both men's and women's collections, as well as a collection of curios Dries himself has accumulated on his world travels.

Shop vintage watches, rings, brooches and more at Jewel in a Box, which sells vintage and estate jewelry. Pieces sell quickly—so if you see something you love, take it!

Says Antwerp insider Tania Beasley-Jolly: "One of my favorite new discoveries is La Collection, co-founded by Florence Cools and and Artur Tadevosian in 2017. The clothes are clean, chic and well…Belgian. I’m obsessed." The capsule collections highlight tailoring and a balance between masculine and feminine—using silk, wool, cotton, linen and cashmere.

Indagare insider Boris Vervoordt says that Mercken is one of his favorite men’s clothing shops. “It’s a family-owned shop with timeless clothing of fine quality.” Here, the Mercken family sources luxurious fabrics, textiles and outfits that are timeless and stylish. Master stylists work with clients to bring them looks that will last for years to come. Find tops and bottoms, outerwear and accessories.

Shop home decor and women’s clothing at Monique Stam, where quirky and boho aesthetics meet color and texture. The home décor pieces here are also unique, including abstract paintings and taxidermy, velvet couches and modern tables.

Says Antwerp insider Tania Beasley-Jolly: "I recently discovered a fabulous new shoe store, MOROBÉ. The shoes are beautifully well-made and special." The brand was founded by Virginie Morobé to celebrate traditional craftsmanship and powerful femininity. In addition to shoes, they also create jewelry, belts and bags.

Blending classic goldsmithing techniques with artistic curiosity, Pascale Masselis creates true works of art with each piece of jewelry she makes. Handcrafted in-house in Antwerp, Masselis’ designs are made to be worn everyday, for generations, with influences from nature weaving together gold and gemstones.

Pedrami Gallery is a favorite of Indagare insider Tania Beasley-Jolly. With a focus on Middle Eastern artists, host Katayoun Pedrami selects pieces from emerging and established creators of sculptures, paintings and photography.

Antwerp insider Tania Beasley-Jolly recommends this multi-brand, high-end boutique for colorful, sophisticated women's clothing, founded in 1953 (it's the sister store to Renaissance).

Antwerp insider Tania Beasley-Jolly recommends this multi-brand, high-end boutique for colorful, sophisticated men's and women's clothing (it's the sister store to Princess).

This Belgian design brand from brothers Okke and Xander Albers takes its cue from Scandinavia, creating elegant made-to-order furniture that's sustainable and functional, working towards the goal of a zero-waste furniture industry. They're best known for their Butterfly Dining Table, Ode Dining Chairs and Cosy Sofa.

Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley recommends bringing home treats from The Chocolate Line, a chocolate shop that grows its own cocoa beans in Mexico. Chocolates here range from classic and traditional to fun and funky. Yuzu, peas and mint, cabernet, tiger mango, Creole, and mole chipotle are just a few flavor choices. The Chocolate Line also collaborates on special collections with Michelin-starred restaurants like The Fat Duck, Noma, and El Bulli, plus fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Stephen Jones, and Philip Plein.

Known as the Bird Market, Vogelmarkt was originally a market for birds and poultry. Today, it occurs every Sunday with hundreds of vendors selling produce, jewelry, décor, antiques, clothing—and even some birds (pets and chickens), still! There are also food stalls and bars and restaurants around the market.

Silver and gold mingle with fine stones for fun statement-piece jewelry at Wouters & Hendrix. With a taste for surrealism, creators Katrin Wouters and Karen Hendrix craft “wearable sculptures” that are handmade right in the Antwerp atelier. Shop brooches, earrings, rings, bracelets and more, for women and men.