Antwerp was known for its rich heritage as the world’s diamond-cutting centre, but as production has slowly drifted to India and Russia, the Flemish port city has emerged as a different centre entirely. Antwerp seems to have reinvented itself as an international fashion destination, that could rival Paris or Milan. The Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Flanders Fashion Institute, both located on the Nationalestraat, have cultivated the careers of some of the industry’s biggest names. These include the eponymous Antwerp Six (think Anne Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten), Raf Simons, Kris van Assche, Veronique Branquinho and many other prominent designers.
This rich creativity in the city centre permeates throughout Antwerp and is reflected in the visual arts, indie music scene, literature and the richness of the cityscape. 13th century castles, Flemish baroque, art nouveau architecture and even Europe’s first skyscraper sit triumphantly side by side along the River Schelde in an area that covers just a little over 200km². With a population of around 500,000 and a steady flow of international students and young professionals, Antwerp maintains a sense of community by tempering its enthusiasm for modernity with an appreciation for local traditions. Dock workers, diamantaires and hipsters alike.
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