Antwerp’s Mode Museum, or Momu, was founded in 2002 to collect, conserve and champion Belgian fashion design. Located underneath the fashion department of the Royal Academy of Arts, it’s a space where visitors can view works by the likes of Dries Van Noten and see a procession of aspiring designers heading to their studios to study. It’s the latter crowd that inspired the design of the new Momu Café.
Opened alongside Momu’s newly renovated exhibition space, it is the
first outpost of Graanmarkt 13, the city’s popular concept
store-cum-restaurant. And according to the shop’s co-founder Ilse
Cornelissens, it has a youthful vibe as a result. “We call it the
younger sibling of Graanmarkt,” says Cornelissens. “This is in terms of
both the food – a healthy buffet, perfect for students – and atmosphere.
It’s a warm and laidback environment, thanks to all the green.”
Art director Bob Verhelst’s green tones
combine beautifully with robust teak chairs and custom-made tables
(whose green tops are the exact hue of the walls of the original
Graanmarkt 13’s basement) by Mumbai-based studio Casegoods.
The resulting space is perfect for poring
over lecture notes while someone pours you a coffee – and, of course, an
ideal spot for re-energising after a tour of the museum.
momu.be
