MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp is dedicated to costume history, contemporary design, and the development of Belgium’s fashion industry. It is located in the historic centre of Antwerp, on Nationalestraat, in a district regarded as one of the city’s main fashion hubs. The museum explores how clothing reflects society, culture, art, and changing ideas of beauty.
The museum collection
MoMu’s collection contains more than 38,000 objects. It includes clothing, footwear, accessories, textiles, and other materials connected with the creation of fashion collections. Historical costumes are displayed alongside works by contemporary designers. Particular attention is given to Belgian designers and graduates of the Fashion Department at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.
The objects trace changes in tailoring, materials, technology, and aesthetic ideals across different periods. In addition to finished garments, the museum collects sketches, patterns, fashion-show invitations, tools, and textile-production equipment. These objects reveal not only the designer’s finished work but also the process of creating clothing, from the first idea to the presentation of a collection.
The Antwerp Six
The so-called Antwerp Six played an important role in bringing international recognition to the city. This group of designers studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and includes Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, and Marina Yee. In 1986, their collections at the British Designer Show in London attracted international attention and helped establish Antwerp as an important centre of avant-garde fashion.
In 2026, MoMu presents a special exhibition dedicated to this group, titled The Antwerp Six. It explores the designers’ individual careers, their connection with Antwerp’s fashion school, and their influence on international fashion. Their story demonstrates how education, experimentation with form, and an independent artistic approach can change the way contemporary clothing is understood.
Exhibitions and architecture
MoMu is known for exhibitions in which clothing is presented within carefully designed spaces. The displays encourage visitors to view garments in the context of their period, ideas, and the designer’s creative approach. Alongside thematic exhibitions, the museum presents objects from its permanent collection, offering insight into both individual fashion movements and the wider history of Belgian design.
The museum opened in the ModeNatie building in 2002. Following an extensive renovation and expansion, it welcomed visitors back in September 2021. The architectural project preserved distinctive features of the building while adding new exhibition areas, including a permanent collection gallery. The complex also houses a specialist library devoted to fashion, textiles, and costume history.
What to see during a visit
The museum is appealing not only to fashion professionals but also to anyone interested in art, design, and cultural history. Visitors can discover how traditional techniques meet experimental ideas, why certain silhouettes become symbols of their era, and how designers express personal and social themes through clothing. Exhibitions change regularly, so it is worth checking the official website for the current programme before visiting.
MoMu is located at Nationalestraat 28, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium. According to its published schedule, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm and closed on Mondays. Tickets are sold until 5 pm. Opening hours and visitor arrangements may change for special events, so check the details in advance.
Gallery
