“The renewed flagship store in Antwerp celebrates the renaissance of the brand under Claudio’s wings,” said Demeulemeester in a release.
The house of Ann Demeulemeester staged its last show this March in Paris in a collection designed by an in-house studio team. Prior to that Sébastien Meunier had been its creative director, taking the reins in 2013 when the founder decided to retire in a surprise move.
Demeulemeester launched her house back the 1980s and rapidly gained recognition as one of the Antwerp Six – that included Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck, Marina Yee, Dirk Bikkembergs and Dirk Van Saene – who collectively established Belgium as a major force in fashion.
In the store, the original wooden floor has been restored and stained black, while floor-to-ceiling black curtains now line the windows on the ground floor. The space features large mirrors, with French doors opening onto a Victorian fern courtyard, designed to serve as an oasis of calm and privacy that encourages customers to try clothes on at their leisure. Other custom elements are a brand-new cash wrap; 11-meter-long hanging rails; and a large circular footwear display with built-in seating on the first floor. Via FashionNetwork