Brugge’s Addresses

August 26, 2018August 26, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Planning your trip to Brugge? You might want to take a look at the five addresses I found here during my last stay (and completely fell in love with!). From rare jewellery vintage to delightful home decor boutiques, Brugge isn’t just canals and heavy history as many people blindly think.

Greet Verbeke Antiques

I really wouldn’t mind staying here forever. Greet Verbeke is one of the major antique dealers in Brugge. Her passion for antiques and contemporary art doesn’t go unnoticed. Greet travels all over Europe searching for collector’s items – each piece is chosen by herself. From silver tableware and museum taxidermy to perfume flacons (Nina Ricci, Coco Chanel) and vintage jewellery, this place is like a treasure chest. The jewellery selection is especially impressive: a Christian Dior brooch, Christian Lacroix iconic hearts, Yves Saint Laurent pendants, 80s Céline gold earrings, Italian hoops from the 50s… just wow.

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Cafuné Espressobar

Although Brugge appeared to be a culinary dissapointment this time, it at least surprised with good coffee at Cafuné. Drop for a classical espresso macchiato and taste their homemade pastry.

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L’Héroïne

This is the place where Belgian fashion lovers should definitely go to. It’s like Antwerp, but in a nutshell. Dries Van Noten, A.F. Vandevorst, Christian Wijnants and Sofie D’Hoore are all here. But there as well some Parisian bits, like Lemaire. Note the minimal interior with a lovely, ivy backyard.

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Serendipity

Looking for a hand-woven rag from Africa or an ethically-made basket? Serendipity is the place for you, then. It’s this kind of slow buying place, where you’ve got to first experience the tactility and craftsmanship of every single piece before you go to the cashier. There’s also the beauty corner devoted to Laboratorio Olfattivo. Got Patchouliful scent on my mind…

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Frederiek Van Pamel

Another place in Brugge which I wouldn’t mind considering as a place to live. Frederiek Van Pamel’s store feels like a real space, with one exception – everything you see is available to buy. Whether it’s a garden bench, a rare Richard Avedon catalogue, a ceramic flower or an Ortigia Sicily perfume, Van Pamel sells items he curates and loves. There’s also a little flower shop at the entrace!

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That’s it for Brugge. You will also find more addresses in the newly updated ‘Places‘ page. Antwerp and Knokke guides are coming up very soon!

Triennale Brugge

August 24, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

I went to Brugge (you might also know it as Bruges), the capital of West Flanders in Belgium, last week. The city is world-known for its canals, cobbled streets, townhouses and medieval buildings – shortly speaking, majority of this magical city is under protection of UNESCO. Well, no wonder why. But this time, this city felt even more enchanting than usual.

Now I’m honest. I had no idea that the Triennale Brugge 2018 is on – this was meant to be a few day trip to the town I’ve been visiting for years. But the occurring event transformed this city into a breathing artwork. The Brugge Trienniale invited international artists and architects to think about this question: how flexible, liquid and resilient can a historic city like Bruges be in an age when nothing seems to be certain any longer? Many of them sought inspiration for their work in the role of liquidity in the city that is literally criss-crossed and surrounded by water. The waterways that once earned Brugge its international renown, become a metaphor for Liquid City. Fifteen works of art, installations and meeting places have been put up in the city centre. You can walk into them and experience them. And while seeking them, discover the less touristic, off-beat tracks of Brugge. My favourites? The inflated installation by Spanish studio Selgascano, which is a literal ‘meeting place’ on water, and Jarosław Kozakiewicz‘s ‘Brug’ bridge. The ‘Skyscraper’ by StudioKCA, which is a massive whale sculpture made of 5 tons of plastic pulled out of the ocean, makes you think as well.

Triennale Brugge 2018 lasts until September 16.

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Look Du Jour: The Easy-Going

July 18, 2014August 30, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Another perfect day in Brugge… and we have the first outfit of the day! It’s a simple, over-sized Chloe sweater, Celine black sweatpants and the super comfortable Celine slides. As Brugge is full of beautiful views and places, here are more photos from our beautiful day.

Belgium: BRUGGE WALK

July 17, 2014January 5, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

What to love about Brugge? For me, the fact that it’s the most romantic (sorry, Paris), elusive and charming place on Earth. You may walk through the 19th century built streets, feel the warmth of all the citizens and eat tones and tones of mussels and waffles everyday… as Brugge (and Belgium) has a lot of to offer, here is a little introduction with my photos of the favourite places in this beautiful city!

Simbolismo Religioso in Fashion

August 1, 2013January 5, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

Very soon I am going to visit Florence, the magical capital city of beautiful Tuscany! As I am now in a Dolce Vita mood, so a bit inspired with Dolce & Gabbana that may not feel so sweet life for a moment, I thought of the religious symbolism in fashion- not of this season, but from 1960 year when Cristobal Balencaiga designed his bridal dress with nuns head dressing inspired hat to Les Novices where Brigitte Bardot stars as a newcoming female nun that just don’t real know what to do and sins a lot there and there… I thought of Sevillas Santa Semanas holiday and the splendor of Vatican church that I truly love! And if Church women would wear Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2013, then it would perfectly match at Brugges nunnery. Although it all sounds very good, Kate Moss at W Magazine showed herself as a satan or a witch with sharp claws and vampire teeth… this editorial is very spooky! Just as Kristen McMenamy at opening and closing the Giles AW13 show, wearing a super scary make-up and anglican inspired gowns. As I am not really a religious person, I hope this post won’t make anybody offended. Well, it’s fashion!