Highlights: spring-summer

Through various themes, the exhibition Fashion & Interiors. A Gendered Affair. explores the relationship between fashion and interiors from a gender perspective.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, women played an important role as ‘beautifiers’ of themselves and their homes. With an eye on comfort, they decorated the interior with soft cushions and textures, drapes, handiwork and all manner of knickknacks. Her body, too, was weighed down with multiple layers of fabric and passementerie with the result that she merged with her interior, even almost to the point of disappearing altogether. This visual mergence was given substance by a number of discerning male creatives, including Henry van de Velde, who started designing women’s clothes. In their pursuit of harmony, they unified architecture, furniture, decor, clothing and accessories to create a total work of art.

Modernist (interior)architects like Adolf Loos, Lilly Reich and Le Corbusier also had their opinions about fashion, which were consistent with their vision of design. They strove for functionality and were opposed to the frivolity of fashion. Contemporary creations by (among others) Maison Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, Raf Simons and Hussein Chalayan on display in the exhibition, serve as a cue to reflect on the historical correlation between interior and fashion.
MoMu’s collection presentation looks back at four decades of Belgian fashion, complemented by a selection from the museum’s historical collection. The exhibition gives an overview of the most important protagonists of Belgian fashion, based on the themes that characterise the distinctive nature of the MoMu Collection.

From 7 December 2024 to 8 June 2025
Jan-Jan Van Essche – Khayal
With his collection Khayal (Spring-Summer 2025) as a vantage point, Antwerp designer Jan-Jan Van Essche invites us to step into his universe. An invitation to experience past and future times in the present.
His open approach deviates from traditional western tailoring, which can be rather restrictive to the freedom of movement. Jan-Jan strives to offer the wearer, regardless of gender, age or norms, a sense of liberty to express and embody the garments. Made out of artisanal fabrics from natural fibres, his discreet creations stimulate our awareness.

Practical information:

• This guided tour is suitable for groups of adults
• Maximum 20 people per group
• Duration: 90 minutes