Postcard From Antwerp

Hello, darling readers! I am in an Internet cafe on Nationalstraat, making my way back up to the fashion-oriented neighborhood of St. Andries after spending some time at museums in 't Zuid (The South) this afternoon. Three to be precise, bringing today's total to four so far. I'm having a lot of fun (trying to rationalize buying a black, gauzy sundress from Dries Van Noten, so far a vivid daydream...).

Antwerp is a sharp, sophisticated city that sort of gave me whiplash coming from Amsterdam. Amsterdam is, of course, a world capital for many reasons, but Antwerp is half as big and feels twice as large. It's gritty where Amsterdam was gezellig. The fashion on the street is amazing, and easily gives Paris and New York a run for its money. I got my hair cut in the city's hottest salon yesterday, and I think it's my favorite style ever: a long, sexy shag with a lot of edge. I've been wearing my new bangs clipped back today with a rhinestone bobby pin in homage to the city's booming diamond trade, which is perceptible but not visible per se.

My plans for the rest of the day include more walking and exploring as much as possible. This morning, before strolling down to the art museums, I went to Rubenshuis, where Antwerp's most famous son kept his home and studio. It was very elegant and well-proportioned, striking the perfect balance between country home and city mansion, even four hundred years on. There's a cafe called Berlin where I'll probably have dinner and drinks tonight, and after that, who knows?

Definitely more, more, more.

Comments

[Vvoi]

I remember Antwerp as an incredibly RICH city. It was just impressive, the way everything seemed so pretty and, well, not glamorous, but somehow elevated. One does feel the diamonds in the background.

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