If there’s one city in Belgium that almost literally breathes fashion, it must be Antwerp. ModeMuseum (MoMu), the city’s fashion museum, is a beacon in the trendy Nationalestraat, the pounding heart of Antwerp’s fashion district. The MoMu belongs to ModeNatie, housed in a building that was originally constructed in the 19th century as a department store for the New England Menswear and Children’s fashion shop. After a thorough renovation in 2000, led by the Ghent architect Marie-José Van Hee, the MoMu opened its doors in this building in September 2002. ModeNatie also houses the Flanders Fashion Institute (FFI), the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts-Artesis Hogeschool Antwerp and the Copyright Bookshop.
Twice each year, the MoMu presents a new exhibition, based on its own collection of 25.000 pieces and completed with loaned works. The expositions might tell a designer’s story or focus on a fashion-related theme. The MoMu doesn’t have permanent displays, but rather offers a varied program focusing on the different dimensions of the fascinating world of fashion. A world that is waiting for you to be discovered!
The MoMu also has a scientific library for historic and contemporary fashion, textiles and ethnic costume, which is located on the 4th floor of the museum. With over 15.000 books, an archive full of valuable reference works, hundreds of contemporary and historic magazines and a fast-growing digital database of images, the MoMu library is one of the top libraries in the world in its field. Whether you’re a student, designer, visitor or fashionista: everyone can have free access to the library.
With a program consisting of workshops, nocturnals, seminars and so much more, the MoMu strives to reinforce its connection to the larger public. This is also illustrated by the MoMu’s friends’ association MoMu+Friends. Since 2011, this network has united people with a passion for fashion. As a friend of the MoMu, you’re invited to special events so that you can be a part of Belgian fashion, as front row as can be!
It’s never too early to let children, the designers of the future, get acquainted with fashion. For all creative young minds and would-be designers, the MoMu created an exciting program with inspiring holiday workshops and creative fashion courses. And if you’re looking for an original idea for an unforgettable birthday party for your mini, the MoMu is just the place to be for a fashionable get-together!
Practical information
- Admission fee:
- Standard: 8€
- 18-26 years: 3€
- -18 years: free
- Concessions: 6€
- Family ticket: 6€ for every adult accompanied by a child (-12 years).
- Open every day except on Mondays.
- Address: Nationalestraat 28, 2000 Antwerp
- All information: momu.be