Fashion crowd comes out for Antwerp's newest concept store

You know it's the fashion crowd when there is one pop of colour for every ten black, albeit flawless, outfits. The fact that the ratio became 1-in-20 for the opening party of RA 13, Antwerp's newest concept store, only meant there were very fashionable people in attendance indeed.

I almost felt like an imposter in my three-tone metallic H&M vest. Especially against the likes of Bruno Pieters and Rad Hourani. Luckily, Charles Anastase took his shirt off later dancing with Hannah Marshall, to make us all feel at home.

The black also contrasted with the vast white 8,000 square-foot loft-like space that is RA 13. For this, we were able to appreciate the little details - the straw roof over the office, the glassed-in balloon installation - that would have been easily overlooked at the crowded reception. Further, RA 13 boasts a restaurant, library, installation space, and sections devoted to vintage and music.

A white backdrop is almost needed to properly showcase the progressive labels on display here. Labels like Gareth Pugh and Giles, along with contemporary counterparts Henrik Vibskov and Peter Jensen.

One could question whether there is a market for such labels in as small a city as Antwerp, but with stores like this, it's draw as a shopping destination will hopefully soon match it's industry reputation. It is, after all, the city that bred Margiela, Dries, and Raf.

Kloosterstraat 13
2000 Antwerp
www.ra13.be