Tonny and Anne were sustainable fashion pioneers, opening one of the first shops in Belgium, called Supergoods.  Their Antwerp shop is their third and last shop (or so they say). You can sense and feel their experience in the design and layout of the shop, which are both very tasteful. From trainers to reusable menstruation cups and ecological deodorant... you name it, every product that Supergoods sells is ethically-produced from sustainable materials. They apply two important criteria to their clothes collections. The materials are preferably organic or have a limited ecological footprint. They also choose recycled synthetics when they don’t need too much laundering. Working conditions are also a crucial factor. They prefer made in Europe but (just) outside is also acceptable after a thorough screening.

Kloosterstraat 38, 2000 Antwerp

An oasis of light on a busy shopping day. That’s what Local Store has to come to represent for me. As their name indicates, they sell a good selection of local products here. They don’t limit themselves to local craftsmanship but also sell interesting, international brands. You can stop in any time during the day, from breakfast until evening for drinks. They serve delicious Lebanese grilled cheese sandwiches, bagels, home-made lemonade, a wide range of coffees... Do you prefer to combine this delicious fare into your own meal at home? You’ll find all you need in their shop.

Everdijstraat 20, 2000 Antwerp

HOST always makes me happy. Is it the nice clothes, the fun gifts (to yourself!), the delicious cakes or the good vibes of the two sisters that run it? Who knows! This House of Sweets and Things is pure heaven for anyone who likes to surround themselves with pretty things. They sell beautiful designs, with a beautiful story. Every one of the items on sale here has been produced with respect for the makers and our planet. Fans of home-grown talent will also be happy to discover this shop. On weekdays, HOST is a great place for a lunch or a coffee break.

Statiestraat 56, 2600 Antwerp 

F.A.A.M is the kind of shop that proves that sustainable fashion has become more affordable. The days that you had to break the bank for a sustainable outfit are officially over. They have a wide range of clothes and there’s always something to new to discover. Besides their four house brands, they also sell a nice selection of other brands, for different styles and budgets. A shop that caters to both men and women, where you can walk out with a complete outfit. From a bathing suit for a sunny summer’s day to a raincoat for an autumn or spring washout.

Nationalestraat 65, 2000 Antwerp

Captain Cork is proof that great things can come from great losses. When Ina lost her father - a captain - in 2018, she was not quite ready to say goodbye to his orchard of cork trees in Portugal. That is why she decided to launch her own handbag brand based on cork, a sustainable alternative to leather. Cork can be harvested without damaging the tree, but the processing process (of sustainable cork) is also free of chemicals. What’s more, it’s so nice to use. It is water-resistant, light and sturdy. New additions to the product line include yoga mats, hats, accessories... The entire production process takes place in Portugal.

Hoogstraat 63, 2000 Antwerp

100% made in Belgium. An is truly unique. And her style is just as particular, as you can tell from her annual collection. All of her unique designs are made from natural materials, in bold colours, with special cuts. I spent months ogling a dress at the entrance. Nobody snapped it up, which is why An ended up customising it for me. She uses the magnificent, qualitative fabrics that she selects as inspiration. Slow fashion, low waste production and limited editions are the keywords at An Buermans. She never creates more than ten of each design.

Everdijstraat 20, 2000 Antwerp

I really love the expression “one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure”. The designer Anna Rosa Moschouti transforms waste into magnificent treasures, using recycled and surplus materials. Her collections have clean lines, simple colours and geometric shapes. Anne’s previous career as an architect is apparent in her choice of materials and style. The rough, minimalist interior of her first flagship store, which she designed herself, looks classy. Everything was produced in her workshops in Antwerp and Athens, her second home because of her Greek roots.

Kloosterstraat 51, 2000 Antwerp

Making clothes is a craft. When I get to see up close how much passion and work it takes, I can’t help but smile. If you’re lucky, you might get to see Ophelia while she works on your next bra or bathing suit. Every one of her designs highlights the assets of the female body and is like a second skin. Ophelia designs collections that feel like a gentle embrace. I’m speaking from experience as a proud owner of one of her designs. She pays a lot of attention to precision and quality. You can also contact her with all of your lingerie requirements, such as bridal lingerie, custom pieces or special gifts. She also regularly organises workshops during which you can design your own bra. In this workshop you create a design that is inspired by your own, unique personality.

Mechelsesteenweg 78, 2000 Antwerp

In recent years, I’ve met the founders of several contemporary and stylish brands as part of my B.right adventure. I’m very glad that many of these brands are now carried by this shop, which only sells ‘mindful design’, like Curated by Edo: a sustainable, 300-sqm concept store. Every brand has a unique story to tell, with its own ideas about sustainability. All these brands think very carefully about their materials and production methods. They pay attention to the makers and the carriers. Quality and a long lifespan are crucial. Their designs are often timeless, meaning you can cherish them for longer. Curated by Edo is the sequel to Edo Collective, the shop where founders Saskia and Audrey met. The accent may be slightly different but the emphasis is still on sustainability and passion.

Lange Koepoortstraat 64, 2000 Antwerp

Zappa shoes opened twenty years ago in the centre of Antwerp and has built up a loyal fan base over the years. Every shoe is produced in small factories around Europe, which is why this is the place to go for nice, qualitative and ethical shoes, that are made in good working conditions. I learnt a lot about shoe production in Europe during my chats with Marc. These are also environment-friendly shoes because there is no overproduction and the leather was tanned according to the strict European legislation. Marc and Nadia still buy all their shoes themselves. Zappa is the place to go for an original and oh so comfortable pair of shoes.

Kammenstraat 74, 2000 Antwerp