On Location: Antwerp, Part 1

by Ami Kealoha

Let's bypass the Antwerp Six introduction, as one needn't be a fashion historian to know that this city was built on fashion. Designers come out of Belgium with a certain confidence and willingness to take risks like a child from wonderfully supportive parents. Two full meandering days in this small city is enough to get a taste of the smorgasbord of local shop options Antwerp has to offer: from well-organized vintage to recently-graduated designer startup boutiques to established heavy-hitters of Belgian descent.

Antwerp's Fashion District is densely populated with shops of all stripes, so it's best explored on foot. With high-street stores like H&M and international luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci all around, we've selected some of the best, distinctively Antwerpen spots in our first of two loving looks at this shop-hopping city.

Walter
One third of the Antwerp Six, Dirk Van Saene and Walter Van Beirendonck opened this huge, airy shop that houses a carefully edited mélange of their namesake lines, labels from some of their countrymen, like Christian Wijnants and Bruno Pieters, new undiscovered lines, all displayed atop a selection of modern furniture.
St. Antoniusstraat 12
tel. +32 (0)3 213 26 44

Alex Schrijvers
This Royal Academy grad handmakes classic and innovative built-to-last bags upstairs with Australian, Italian, and fish leathers, and he'll make you an espresso, too, if you ask nicely.
Everdijstraat 8
tel. +32 (0) 479 71 21 02

Labels Inc
Think of this as the Century 21 of Belgian designer clothes, without the stifling crowd or maddeningly constant loudspeaker announcements. Get past seasons' Stephan Schneider, Christian Wijnants, Bernhard Willhelm, Dries Van Noten, Maison Martin Margiela, and Ann Demeulemeester, along with a selection of consignment vintage designer shoes.
Aalmoezenierstraat 4
tel. +32 (0)3 232 60 56

Bonaventura
Experience reverse sticker-shock at this tiny consignment handbag and accessory shop. There are very few designer names here, save for a Pierre Cardin clutch or two, but who needs 'em when you can get on-trend grass-green leather purses, taupe suede and tweed totes and '80s backpacks for around €15 apiece. Aalmoezenierstraat 38
tel. +32 (0) 479 26 85 47

Frituur Number One
This historic center frites stand is no-frills fried goodness. Top your cone of crispy potatoes off with mayonnaise and curry ketchup, wash it down with a can of Jupiler, and you've got a Belgian treat par excellence.
Hoogstraat 1
no phone

Grand Café Leroy
More substantial (and more expensive) is this upscale café. We tried an outstanding duck, mozzarella, and pink grapefruit salad, and a guacamole and pureed parsley soup. The €16 lunch special is a sweet deal, and the free local magazines make it a perfect pit stop during a long shopping day.
Kasteelpleinstraat 49
tel. +32 (0)3 226 11 99

Hotel Julien
This slice of mod-comfort in the middle of the Old City is a wonderful respite, featuring a tranquil library, green patio, and deluxe breakfast on the house (cappuccino, the bread basket, soft boiled eggs and lox are the perfect fuel for a day on your feet), all served on streamlined place settings designed specially for the hotel.
Korte Nieuwstraat 24
tel. +32 (0)3 229 06 00

by Angela Gaimari

Biographical Landscape: The Photography of Stephen Shore, 1969-79

by Jacob Resneck

Through 9 Sept 2007, more than 150 Stephen Shore photos shot between 1969 and 1979 will be exhibited at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York City.

At the age of 14, Shore had already sold his first photographs to the Museum of Modern Art; soon after he was lighting shows for the Velvet Underground. In the early 1970s, Shore began turning commonplace surroundings into works of art by photographing ordinary scenes: a painted billboard with a big-sky backdrop (right); a plate of pancakes at a diner in Utah; bathers on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. These snapshots on the road between Amarillo, Texas and New York became part of his groundbreaking series, "Uncommon Places," which also makes up most of the exhibit.

Organized by the Aperture Foundation, Biographical Landscape began its international tour in Los Angeles in 2005. Since then the show has traveled through Paris and the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts, before wrapping up in the 49-year-old Shore's native New York City. Simply put, "the show is wonderful," as the New York Times recently gushed .

International Center of Photography
1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036 map
tel. 1 212 857 0000

Sarah Graham Metalsmithing

by Jacob Resneck

A rising star on the jewelry scene, Sarah Graham's medium is precious metals and jewels. The rings are what caught our attention so it's not surprising that Graham herself reports them as some of her most popular work and they're "collected fanatically!"

Looking at the individual pieces it's not in the least surprising that the California artist reports drawing inspiration from works of antiquity from as far afield as both Americas, Africa, India and Europe.

Lounging Sound Pillow

by Ami Kealoha

Worst part about throw pillows and cushions? Sure they're a good head rest, but they muffle sound and make hearing the TV hard. Enter the Lounging Pillow. This cube-shaped cotton/poly cushion has holes in each of its six sides. When you plop your noggin on it for some serious coach potato action, sound can enter through any of the four unobstructed open spaces. Meaning? This pillow has directional sound! Retailing for ¥1,600 ($13), the Lounging Pillow comes in red and navy. Being lazy has never been this good.

by Brian Ashcraft