Visit MoMu Antwerp and explore the impressive collection of more than 25,000 items at this prominent fashion museum. MoMu, or the ModeMuseum, has historical costumes dating as a far back as the 16th century, and offers a varied display of clothing, shoes, accessories, and lace. Located within easy reach of other popular attractions such as FOMU Antwerp and Carolus Borromeus Church, MoMu is an ideal pastime when sightseeing in the picturesque Belgian city.
An adventurous look at fashion
The museum opened its doors in September of 2002 and since then has had a commitment to presenting fashion in its social, political, and cultural context through adventurous and dynamic exhibits. Its collection derives from the former Textile and Costume Museum and has been enhanced from donations of historical pieces by collectors and by an ever-expanding collection of pieces by contemporary Antwerp designers from the 1980s to the present day. Don't expect boring presentations of traditional costumes in glass cases; MomMu has pioneering and interactive exhibits that fascinate visitors. The galleries have hosted a tweed-covered vintage Porsche, design masterpieces exposed to the elements in a courtyard for Yohji Yamamoto's Dreamshop, and fashion films made in association with SHOWstudio.
Your visit to MoMu
The museum finds its home in the ModeNatie, a complex that also houses the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the Flanders Fashion Institute, and Artesis Hogeschool Antwerp. The rotating collection at MoMu is arranged around themes, changing throughout the year to offer visitors a different experience each time they visit. The collection consists of clothing, accessories, and textiles, as well as other items such as tools and machines for textile production, and patterns and fashion show invitations. MoMu mostly focuses on the work of Belgian designers and alumni of the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Prominent names from the contemporary international fashion world are also represented. Each exhibition space at MoMu focuses not just on fashion and clothing, but also its context: from the designer's source of inspiration to the cultural norms of the time period. The museum is located in Old Town Antwerp, close to many other museums and attractions in the city. MoMu is closed for renovation and is not open to visitors until Autumn 2020. The project will add 8,600 square feet of exhibition space, including an auditorium and a show space for MoMu's own collection. Meanwhile, the museum still hosts a variety of activities, such as a regular fashion walk and guided tours.
