Music “Music has the power to influence people’s mood, just as fashion does.” How Hermès aims to strengthen the bond between silk and music The Word Radio recently collaborated with Hermès for their 10-day pop up record store Silk Mix. We put a few questions to Christophe Goineau, creative director of men’s silk at Hermès, and Thierry Planelle, the man behind the men’s ready-to-wear runway soundtracks to talk about fashion’s lasting love affair with music.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend Grand re-openings in Brussels, gritty performance art in Antwerp and artistic adventures in Ghent. Go do the right thing.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing 10 things to do in Belgium this weekend Memorable confusion in Antwerp, painted models in Brussels and yearly festivities in Ghent. Go do the right thing.
Neighbourhood life Class of ’17 – Part III Take a look at 7 more of the most influential Belgians who broke through the mould in 2017.
Art Honey I shrunk the kids: Jaco Van Dormael’s bagload of capsules Celebrated Belgian filmmaker Jaco Van Dormael discusses scales, studio tactics and how lovely it is to get to work with family in light of his series of seven capsule videos, in collaboration with signature leathergood imprint Delvaux.
Neighbourhood life This is Belgium 20 portraits taken from our book Thiis iis Belgiium In Internet speak, it's called throwback Tuesday: 20 portraits culled from our book Thiis iis Belgiium.
Neighbourhood life The best shopping addresses in Belgium Covering all your last-minute Christmas shopping needs.
Neighbourhood life Michael Marson on BehindTheBlinds’ first print edition "It’s a lengthy process, but I’ve always liked a challenge."
Neighbourhood life Full disclosure: Why we’ll soon be urging you, over and over again, to submit a project for Brussels A few words about our work on Make.Brussels, Atrium.Brussels' latest initiative to reenergise downtown Brussels.
Neighbourhood life Behind closed doors, the unpublished pictures A few unpublished images of our last edition's fashion story.
Art Fashion designer Mansour Badjoko wa Lileko on making real clothes The fresh-faced local designer on ideals, reality and how the fashion industry is racist, sexist and classist.
Neighbourhood life The covers we thought of running with, but didn’t Here are some of the cover tests we did before going to print on our February-March edition.
Neighbourhood life Michael Marson on Behind the Blinds Michael Marson talks to us about his new online fashion and photography platform, Behind the Blinds.
Art Curator talks Didier Vervaeren on The Belgians at BOZAR With The Belgians, his recently-opened exhibition at Bozar, Didier Vervaeren lays out the ins and outs of this curatorial project.
Neighbourhood life Area codes Area codes: Frederik Vercruysse’s Antwerp Antwerp's nooks and crannies have found a way to fairly new resident Frederik Vercruysse's heart.
Neighbourhood life Area codes Stephanie Specht’s Antwerp In this week's Area code, we takes a stroll through graphic designer Stephanie Specht's Antwerp.
Neighbourhood life Area codes Jon and Maša’s Antwerp The couple behind Antwerp-based creative agency Klein take us on a tour of their favourite local hangouts.
Neighbourhood life Area codes Area codes: Ingrid Deuss’ Antwerp We take a stroll through gallery owner Ingrid Deuss' Antwerp.
Neighbourhood life Area codes Area codes: DIFT founders Yves and Bert’s Ghent DIFT founders reveal Ghent's best coffee bars, tattoo parlours, restaurants and bars.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing A weekend of Warhol, Wilde Things, MAD and MØ ...don't miss Gold Panda at Botanique and window dressing with Splash, Can and Cock at Komplot
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing Brainbox, Richard Serra and Happy birthday dear Academy ...plus Catclub, Gedi Sibony and Everything and More at Tim Van Laere
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing Raves, runways and a scorcher heat-wave. This weekend in Belgium ...school's officially out for La Cambre's future luminaries, plus Trago, Preis and Theys hit town.
Neighbourhood life The Word Magazine All*Stars: Max and Randa Shoes say more about you than any of the rest of your wardrobe picks. And sneakers say even more.
Neighbourhood life The Word Magazine All*Stars: Damien and Olivier “They really are my gig and festival sneakers. They could write a book”
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing Komplot, rooftops, Parr and prodigies. This weekend in Belgium. The sun will be out for The Word's Antwerp BBQ (promise!) while Brussels basks in the warmth of a Martin Parr retro.
Art Studio visits Preview: an interview with Belgian photographer Julie Calbert Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the revamped Word magazine is almost here. A tantalising teaser of what's in store...
Home and away with Esprit’s Spring/Summer collection We preview Terry Richardson's campaign images for global fashion imprint Esprit's 2013 Spring/Summer collection.
Neighbourhood life Why should you pay for something you’re used to getting for free? Including a sneak preview of our next edition's stand-out features, five reasons why paying for The Word ain't such a bad thing.
Roos Vandekerckhove and the power of colour Pistachio green, bright red, indigo blue and fuchsia pink: a few of knitwear virtuoso Roos Vandekerckhove's favourite things...
Holiday gift guide: The Word’s Christmas wishlist We help you keep the holiday season's shopping stress levels down with this hand-picked, carefully-selected gift guide.
Five industry moves that rocked the fashion world in 2012 In fashion, you can't take anything for granted. Here are the top 5 moves that shocked and excited the industry in 2012.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing Hives, Harmonie and art a la carte.This weekend in Belgium. AB hosts the Hives, Harmonie turns two in Antwerp and the Nationa(al) Pop Up Store pops up in Brussels.
Stephan Schneider on curating the Nationa(a)l Pop Up Store We spoke with the German designer about his selection, the new generation and why a strong product is always key.
The year’s three most infamous fashion industry cat fights In the second installment of our best-of list fest, we look at the ballsiest and bitchiest fashion cat fights of 2012. Meee-ow...
Neighbourhood life The fashion world of London-based Belgian photographer Gael Delhaye London-based Belgian fashion snapper Gael Delhaye shot this series exclusively for The Word. Lucky us.
CEO Marco Probst takes Belgian luxury leathergood house Delvaux into the future "We don't need a star designer. Our product is the star": New Delvaux CEO Marco Probst talks strategy.
Art Adeline and Alexandre on the opening of Nationa(a)l Pop Up Store Cousins Adeline and Alexandre's blink-and you'll-miss-it one stop shop for Belgian creative entrepreneurs sets up in Brussels.
Annemie Verbeke on Nationa(a)l Pop Up Store Womenswear designer Annemie Verbeke gets involved in the Nationa(a)l Pop Up Store in Brussels' Châtelain neighbourhood.
Neighbourhood life The best of 2012 We're about to begin publishing our end of year lists, and here's a quick run down of what you can expect.
Quentin De Wispelaere’s fashion photography We kick off our bi-monthly fashion series with Belgian photography talent Quentin De Wispelaere and his slightly eerie images.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing American Dreams and Pink Screens. This weekend in Belgium. Kaiser Chiefs, queer flicks and a weekend art fix for Brussels, while Ghent gets Digitalism.
MoMu director Kaat Debo on its first decade Kaat Debo waxes fashionable about the first ten years of MoMu, Antwerp's prestigious fashion museum.
Fashion photographer Zeb Daemen on androgyny and the search for timelessness Industry wunderkind Zeb Daemen talks timeless images and the appeal of shiny-skinned, alien-like women.
Illustrator Valentine De Cort teams up with Belgian fashion giant Delvaux Valentine De Cort draws the story of Delvaux's very fashionable leading lady to celebrate the revamped Le Madame bag.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing A digital day out in Namur and a dissident in Brussels. This weekend in Belgium. Oh My Garden moves indoors and Optimo moves cities while Ai Weiwei gets filmed and FIFI and KIKK kick off.
Neighbourhood life Looking for fashion photographers, artists with day jobs and more… We're knee-deep in editorial research for our next print edition, and there's a few things we're hoping you might be able to help us with.
Neighbourhood life An interview with the creative minds behind Belgian fashion label Percy Stone Percy Stone are yet another creative city-side couple in the early days of their joint enterprise. They answer our questions about their two's company.
Fashion designer Christian Wijnants on his 20th collection and winning the Woolmark prize Throwing a big party to celebrate winning the Woolmark prize is not really Christian Wijnants' thing, he's saving his energies for Paris next year.
Neighbourhood life An interview with Antwerp-based German designer Daniel Andresen Antwerp-based German designer Daniel Andresen took time out to chat to us about subjects close to his heart, like the textures and imperfections of a well-spun yarn
The weekend has landed "All that exists now is clubs, drugs, pubs and parties. They’ve got 48 hours off from the world..." Our pink album's fashion series shot by Antwerp-based photographer Kris De Smedt.
Belgian stylist Benoît Béthume on the launch of Mémoire Universelle, his new bookazine Stylist Benoît Béthume's bookazine Mémoire Universelle is more book than magazine. The first issue's about love, and it's about to hit a shelf near you.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing Robot photography, Polaroids and fashion walks. This weekend in Belgium. Modo Brussels sets up shop and Ixelles/Elsene gears up for a Walk #1 while Breton roll into town for a Botanique gig.
An interview with fashion designer Joanne Vanden Avenne Designer Joanne Vanden Avenne is mixing architectural shapes with luxurious fabrics and dreaming of a flagship store in Paris.
Neighbourhood life Fashion designer Étienne Derœux on his American road trip-inspired collection Designer Étienne Derœux went roadtripping across the USA à la Jack Kerouac where the formality and tradition of American dress informed his third and latest collection.
Art Antwerp-based fashion photographer Michaël Smits on new directions Photographer Michaël Smits is moving away from controlled minimalism and getting otherwise inspired, while settling into a brand new Antwerp studio.
Neighbourhood life Shopping for design at Antwerp’s Atelier Solarshop We strolled through the streets of Belgium's major cities and picked out our favourite design store gems. Each day this week, tune in for a selection of our favorite addresses and featured items. Today: Atelier Solarshop.
An interview with high fashion shop Smets’ buying director Pascaline Smets Glamorous style heiress Pascaline Smets uses her role in the family business to bring a cosmopolitan edge to Brussels.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing Art, fashion and Black Dice. This weekend in Belgium The weekend has landed, bringing with it concerts by Kim Ann Foxmann, Japandroids and Black Dice plus Angel Vergara, Jonathan Meese and a smattering of other worthy art exhibitions
An interview with graduate fashion designer Louis Gabriel Nouchi Louis Gabriel Nouchi's menswear collection was one to watch at this year's La Cambre Mode[s] show. He's back to the drawing board in Brussels' prestigious fashion academy, burning, bleaching and cutting his way to the top.
Canadian fashion designer David Szeto Yes, you can build a successful career as a designer without the usual exposure. In an atelier in Saint-Gilles, we catch up with David Szeto, one of fashion's best kept secrets.
Art Inside Brussels-based fashion designer’s private art collection We talk to Belgian designer Jean-Paul Knott about his passion for art, why he keeps collecting it and what he really likes to do when sleep doesn't come.
Neighbourhood life This is Belgium The best new faces in Belgian fashion With the new fashion season upon us, we review agencies' books, sifting through their pages for the new faces of tomorrow.
Art An interview with Antwerp-based fashion photographer Frederik Heyman Frederik Heyman keeps baffling us with his weird, beautiful and stylized images. We catch up with the Antwerp artist at home over tea and cookies.
Neighbourhood life An interview with Antwerp’s fashion retail pioneer Geert Bruloot In an exclusive interview for The Word, Philippe Pourhashemi talks to retail pioneer Geert Bruloot about the influence of London in his early days, the making of the Antwerp Six and how Japan paved the way for Belgium.
Neighbourhood life A conversation with Antwerp fashion designer Jan-Jan Van Essche We sit down with menswear designer Jan-Jan Van Essche to talk about the pleasure of comfort, putting seasonal cycles aside and why less is always more.
Neighbourhood life Visionary Paris-based Belgian designer Bruno Pieters on sustainable fashion Graced with an interview with designer Bruno Pieters, we discuss 'Honest by.', a new concept that focuses on high-end, sustainable clothing. Transparency is the new black.
Seven things you should buy before you leave We’re keeping both him and her happy with this month’s showstoppers selection. We have the iconic bag, shoes and polo shirt, the future-friendly dresses, the obligatory pair of high tops, the jacket to go with them as well as the scent of the moment.
Drive-by shooting We know what you’re thinking. This girl looks like trouble. But this little sight of beauty knows exactly what she’s doing and where she’s going. Have a look at our grey album's fashion series, shot by Antwerp-based photographer Alex Salinas.
Pablo Henrard Pablo Henrard, a talented fashion student we spotted last year, opens up to fill us in on his 4th year womenswear collection, getting the girls for his last show and interning with the "family" at Gaultier Couture in Paris.
The middleman We sat down with Marc Gysemans to talk about his collaboration with industry darling Raf Simons and his profession as a producer in general.
A taste for paradox We sat down with Paris-based Belgian Kris Van Assche - who designs Dior menswear as well as his own line - to talk about his style, avoiding sartorial clichés and why having fun with clothes is so important.
Miquel Boutens We catch up with young Antwerp Academy graduate and Brugge native Miquel Boutens to talk dressy menswear, bow ties and Marie-Antoinette.
Art Bag packers for your summer adventures We've stockpiled a stylish selection of goodies to get you prepped for your summer holidays. We've thought of everything - travel bag, bumbag, desert boots, the obligatory sunnies... to help you pack up before you skip off.
Christian Astuguevieille On the eve of one of his biggest auctions in Belgium, we chatted to French wunderkind Christian Astuguevieille about his relationship with Rei Kawakubo, his unusual career path and his contagious passion for tactile objects.
Art La Cambre’s class of 2012 We were given backstage passes and front row seats at this year's graduate show at La Cambre, Brussels' fashion designing talent breeder.
When Patrick met Nigel We sat down with Bellerose boss man Patrick van Heurck and British designer Nigel Cabourn to discuss the fruits of their first team-up, a sleek duffle coat for next season.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing The weekend in Belgium 07.06 This weekend you'll find us knee-deep in fashion with both Brussels' La Cambre and Antwerp's famous fashion academy putting on their annual catwalk bash, plus expos and shows up and down the country.
Welcome to the jungle We invited a number of fashion experts including American style icon Diane Pernet to discuss the industry and what it takes for young designers to make it.
Glenn Martens We shoot the breeze with 29-year-old Belgian designer Glenn Martens about his Paris début, a typical day at the atelier and where he gets his inspiration.
Art Fifteen questions to Caroline Van Hoek Here's us chatting with Brussels-based gallery founder Caroline Van Hoek about her take on the artist-as-jewellery-maker, why she expanded her space upwards and talent-scouting.
A brave new world Upcoming Brussels-based photographer Ismael Moumin shot the orange album's fashion series for us, futuristic, dark and somewhat dystopian.
Neighbourhood life This is Belgium The best online shops for fashion Online shopping goes native with our pick of Belgium's best e-tailers, plus a round-up of our favorites abroad, with a focus on sites featuring Belgian brands.
Destined to shine Our pick of orange show-stopping goodies, from a Burberry trench to Kenzo's latest perfume.
Blonde ambition Céline De Schepper, only 23 years old, just graduated from La Cambre last June and is already one of Belgium's young rising fashion stars.
Art Stéphane Erouane Dumas at La Verrière Hermès We sit down for an exclusive interview with French artist Stéphane Erouane Dumas as he prepares to unveil his latest installation at La Verrière Hermès on April 20.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing The weekend in Belgium 12.04 Highlights of Belgium's packed agenda this weekend include an expo that guesses at 2040, AB's Kraftwerk fetish, as well as a show by Dean Treacy, fashion and photos in Antwerp and Democrazy's birthday do.
Neighbourhood life This is Belgium The best new male models in Belgian fashion We've selected our favourite Belgian cover boys and girls for spring, eight fashion forward faces that'll soon be gracing a glossy cover near you, if not already. Here's the boys.
Neighbourhood life This is Belgium The best new female models in Belgian fashion We've selected our favourite Belgian cover boys and girls for spring, eight fashion forward faces that'll soon be gracing a glossy cover near you, if not already. Here's the ladies.
Spring cleaning Spring is a time for new beginnings (read: new clothes). But what to stuff in your closet once you're done clearing out the cobwebs from your woolly Belgian winter wardrobe? Here's our handpicked selection of lovely spring things.
Iris van Herpen retrospective at the Groninger Museum Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen's retrospective opened at the Groninger Museum last Friday and we were there to witness the magic.
Fifteen questions to Alice Knackfuss We talk to the designer about feminism, the "freedom" of menswear and why she ultimately refuses to believe in fast fashion.
Neighbourhood life Hunting and Collecting’s Niels and Aude Niels and Aude are the creative geniuses behind Hunting and Collecting, a Brussels-based concept store that's made a name for itself in Belgium and beyond.
Neighbourhood life SteytPeña’s Luis and Laurence Luis Peña and Laurence Steyt met while assisting the same photographer in Paris back in 2004. These days, they're busy with their venture, SteytPeña, and their very own Brussels studio.
Art Photographer Kelly De Block In our continued bid to shine a light on rising Belgian talent, we speak with recently-graduated fashion photographer Kelly De Block about collages, contrasts and connecting with people.
Art Fifteen questions to Ingrid Baars We sit down with Antwerp-based Dutch photographer Ingrid Baars to discuss the creative process, her love of the female form and feedback from older men at gallery openings.
The Beautiful Fall A fascinating read about the bitter rivalry between iconic fashion designers Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.
Stockman dummy In the third part of our designer survival kit we introduce you to the Stockman dummy - an essential no future fashion maker will be able to do without.
Premiere Vision Twice a year Premiere Vision, the world's number one fabric fair, brings together designers from all over the world in Paris.
WWD Need to get up to speed on the inner workings of the fashion industry? Want to find out who's holding which position in which company? Or how a recent sales dump in Asia has affected luxury brands' stock price? A yearly subscription to fashion bible Women's Wear Daily's really all you need.
Neighbourhood life Delvaux and Wouters & Hendrix collaboration We sit down with jewellery designers Wouters & Hendrix to get the lowdown on their Delvaux collaboration.
Neighbourhood life Fifteen questions to Pablo Piatti We sit down with fashion illustrator Pablo Piatti in Antwerp to discuss his craft, drawing faces and viewing illustration as a complement to photography.
Neighbourhood life Our Christmas wish list Starting today and up until Christmas eve, we’ll be putting forward two present proposals a day meant to make your end-of-year gift search that little bit easier. Today: A knitted cardigan from Henrik Vibskov and scarf by SPRB.
Art The school of white socks We zoom in on one of our all-time favourite fashion faux pas: white socks.
Art When Hedgren met Sonny Belgium bag maker Hedgren teams up with happy snapper Sonny Vandevelde for the launch of their capsule collection.
Art White coats: The pharmacist For the last instalment in our series on professions that still require wearing a white coat in the workplace, we visit Ghent-based pharmacist Ann Seye.
Neighbourhood life The king of clean Eddy Beaurain's Pressing No1 is an institution amongst Brussels' fashion folk. We pay him a visit days before he closes shop for good.
Neighbourhood life Do the right thing The weekend 15.12 Three exhibitions, a Black Lips concert and a DJ set in Brussels, photography in Antwerp, painting in Ghent, popular culture in Leuven and, last but not least, a quick-shot selection of leftfield Christmas markets to catch this weekend.
Art Rue Blanche Rue Blanche is not only known as a purveyor of softness for everyday women but also for its outstanding look books. We dived a bit into history and had a closer look at its catalogues of the last 25 years.
Neighbourhood life Chauncey’s white crew neck Cosy-up to this white sweater from Brussels-based knitwear label Chauncey made of the finest Mongolian cashmere.
Neighbourhood life Damir Doma We sit down with 30 year old Croatian fashion designer Damir Doma to talk production issues, being an introvert in Antwerp and choosing white for his latest collection.
