IN PERSON
Marilie Van Goethem
Barbara Van Der Steen
PR Barbara Van Der Steen and model Marilie Van Goethem are the trendsetting duo behind ShopHopper Antwerp, an indispensable new English/Dutch shopping guide which covers the fashionable Belgian city in depth. We caught up with the pair to find out where to hang out in Antwerp
01 Where do you live?
Barbara: On the borders of the city. I’m really fond of the silence as well as the effervescence of city-life.
Marilie: In my favourite part, the South, in between the antique stores and the waterfront.
02 Why did you write ShopHopper?
B: I realised how much ignorance there was among fashion lovers about where to shop and find things. Together with Tectum we wanted to create a descriptive and completely neutral guide in which even the small, independent shops are mentioned. We also wanted to unite the alternative and commercial shopping scenes.
M: Throughout my travels I’ve often experienced the need for a perfect shopping guide, and I always wanted to write about fashion in an accessible way for everyone to enjoy.
03 What advice would you offer a visitor to Antwerp?
B: Visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Leopold de Waeleplaats). It’s an extraordinary place, filled with beautiful collections. Even locals should go more!
M: Get a ShopHopper and don’t just stick to the main shopping streets. To relax, take a tour of the Antwerp Zoo or the Rubens Garden.
04 Do you have a favourite district?
B: Each of the districts has its own specific atmosphere, but I’m particularly passionate about the diamond district because of its lively international nature. On Sundays I love to stroll around the Kloosterstraat, have a late brunch and browse through the small antique and vintage shops there.
M: Every district is unique, but I’m currently really enjoying the up-and-coming vibes of the North.
05 What’s your favourite restaurant?
B: Antwerp is filled with really good restaurants and there are lots that I love, but my favourites are Hippodrome (Leopold De Waelplaats 10) and Danieli il Divino (Beukenlaan 12).
M: Depending on my appetite: pasta with fresh truffles at Pazzo (Oude Leeuwenrui 12), Salade Niçoise at Chez Fred (Kloosterstraat 83) and, for the perfect atmosphere, De Wael 28 (Leopold de Waelstraat 28).
06 Where would you go for a breathtaking view?
B: The restaurant at the Royal Yacht Club on Linkeroever.
M: Take a seat on the gigantic steps of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts.
07 Where would you suggest for some late-night partying?
B: The Antwerp club scene changes so quickly that it’s difficult to name a place without it already being passé, but for the moment Nanno (Sint Laureiskaai 2) and King Kong (Volkstraat 58).
M: There are always good parties around – check out the flyers in the restrooms of trendy bars.
08 Can you recommend shops for design addicts?
B&M: There are some good designer shops such as Den 18, Viar for furniture and Fusion Homestyle on the Kloosterstraat. At the Vlaamse Kaai we recommend Kaai Design and XVL home interiors. Finally, Obumex on the Leopold de Waelplaats is a must-see.
09 Which shops would you recommend for a real fashion junkie?
B: Verso (Lange Gasthuisstraat 11) for the hot designer labels, SN3 (Frankrijklei 46-48) or Tony Linders (Oudaan 20) for couture designers, Labels Inc. (Aalmoezenierstraat 40) for fairly priced designer shopping, Princess Blue (Schrijnwerkersstraat 7) for great taste, Louis (Lombardenstraat 2) for Belgian designers and Francis (Steenhouwersvest 14) for its vintage selection.
M: Episode Vintage (Steenhouwersvest 34A), Ave (Lombardenstraat 18), Step by Step (Lombardenvest 18).
10 Is there a great people-watching café?
B: Head south to the cafés on the terraces across from the museum, such as the Hopper and the Canal.
M: Mogador (Graaf van Egmontstraat 57).
11 Where’s best for cocktails?
B: There’s only one place: Sips (Gillisplaats 8). Seeing Manuel prepare all those fabulous cocktails is pretty special.
M: Sips! Manuel mixes the best cocktails.
12 What’s Antwerp’s quirkiest shop?
B: All the shops on the Kammenstraat are quite quirky.
M: The Dartshop (Kloosterstraat 163).
13 Which boutiques are good for ladies’ shoes?
B: Without any doubt Coccodrillo (Schuttershofstraat 9A-B). It’s full of drop-dead gorgeous shoes – Imelda Marcos eat your heart out!
M: Coccodrillo and Elsa (Nationalestraat 147).
14 Who’s your favourite fashion designer?
B: I love Dries van Noten, the designs are simple, elegant and strong. Also Diane von Furstenberg, with her beautiful fabrics and feminine lines. I’m so glad she’s back in Antwerp with a new boutique located at Steenhouwersvest 44.
M: For elegant and comfy shoes, Veronique Branquinho. For dresses, Billion Dollar Babes.
15 Where would you recommend for men who want to buy a suit?
B: Mercken (Oudaan 22-24) for the classics, Verso across the street, Oxford (Huidevettersstraat 55) and Café Costume (Emiel Banningstraat 11) for tailoring à la carte.
16 What’s the worst fashion faux pas?
B: People buying designer clothes thinking it will make them look great. Not everything looks great on everybody. Just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it will suit you – just be your own fabulous self!
M: Spandex leggings with high plateau heels.
17 What should a visitor buy as an Antwerp memento?
B: Antwerpse Handjes cookies or those chocolates you find in traditional bakeries such as Philip’s Biscuits (Korte Gasthuisstraat 11).
18 Which other European cities do you love?
B: I love a lot of European cities but my favourites are Paris for the elegance and London for the excitement.
M: Stockholm: great fashion, great people!
19 Do you have a New Year’s resolution?
B: Quit smoking and write a lot of new ShopHoppers.
M: Take more time off for yoga!
No comments yet.
