Fashion Flash - Brussels

Sussing out style on the streets of the Belgian capital

BY DOMINIQUE AFACAN

Hot talent

THREE TO LOOK OUT FOR

OLIVIER STRELLI
After 30 years in the business, Olivier is well known on the Belgian fashion circuit. His winter menswear collection (right) is set to be a huge hit, with large knits, bodyhugging woollens and softened tweeds.
WWW.STRELLI.BE

CATHY PILL
A former intern of Vivienne Westwood, Cathy’s elegant clothes are inspired by the city’s art nouveau architecture, and given extra punch with digital prints and graphics.
WWW.CATHYPILL.COM

JOHANNE RISS
Brides to be take notice – Johanne designs stunning wedding dresses, eveningwear, shoes and jewellery. Her clothes are always super-feminine, so girly girls – bag an outfit while you’re in town.
WWW.JOHANNERISS.COM

In the zone

HANGOUTS FOR SHOPPING ADDICTS

LUXURY: The beautiful glass-roofed Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is filled with high-end designer shops and upmarket cafés. Find it between Rue du Marché aux Herbes and Rue de l’Ecuyer.

TRENDY: Dansaert is where you’ll find independent boutiques, jewellers and milliners. The area is renowned for being super cool and bursts with young talent. So grab a coffee and indulge in some trendster-watching.

MARKETS: Sablon antiques market (Place du Grand Sablon) is full of hidden gems. While away an afternoon searching out a dusty treasure. Meanwhile, Marché du Midi is your one-stop fresh fruit and veg hop on a Sunday and the Jeu de Balle is a daily flea market from 7am–2pm.

Diary date

24–26 OCTOBER THE DESIGNERS’ TRAIL
This annual event sees the trendy Dansaert quarter packed with design talent, from the well-known to the up-and-coming. Wares like those from Sandrina Fasoli (right) and Isabelle Lenfant will be shown not just at boutiques, but everywhere from car parks and theatres to bars and bakeries. Pick up a map and work your way from La Centrale Electrique to the Place Royal, shopping as you go.
WWW.MODOBRUXELLAE.BE

Shh…fashion secrets

Canadian designer David Szeto recently moved his base from Paris to Brussels, prompting fashion insiders to ask – is Brussels the next fashion hotspot?