About MoMu

The Fashion Museum is sheltered  in the ModeNatie in the Nationalestraat. ModeNatie accommodates several partners: the Fashion Museum, the Flanders Fashion Institute and the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen.

From the beginning the MoMu has opted for a dynamic approach that exceeds the static character of the average museum. No fixed arrangement of the own collection but varying thematic exhibitions on one specific designer or a fashion-related subject, that show a selection of pieces from the collection alongside pieces on loan. The starting point for each new exhibition is an overall concept, focussing not merely on clothing but on an entire context: the designer’s various sources of inspiration, links with other art disciplines, and so on. No static glass cases, but a dynamic room that is tailored to the needs of each exhibition. This vitality is the very strength of the Antwerp Fashion Museum. 

Architecture

The building in which ModeNatie is housed, goes back to the 19th century and was originally designed as a storehouse for the men’s and children’s clothing company New England. In the course of the 20th century it changed ownership several times. In 2000 it was decided that the premises be thoroughly renovated under the leadership of the Ghent architect Marie-José Van Hee. Van Hee’s main intervention was to build a covered passageway that runs straight across a triangular patio and through which the natural light is dispersed on to the ground floor. Van Hee also built a new, wooden staircase, which she has called a second, vertical passage in the building. Both the patio and the staircase are entirely covered in merbau wood.

www.modenatie.com