After a successful first edition, MAD Parcours returns this fall to Brussels city centre. From Wednesday, November 12 to Saturday, November 15, MAD Brussels, the centre for fashion and design, shines a spotlight on the richness of the local fashion and design scene. Over four days, visitors are invited to (re)discover the city centre along a route passing through shops, studios, showrooms, galleries, and surprising locations.
Visitors can explore the parcours – supported by the Brussels Alderman for Economy and Employment, as well as Entreprendre Bruxelles – with a user-friendly map, available both digitally and in print. This year, MAD Brussels offers several thematic walks: besides a fashion & design route, you can choose a path where jewelry or ceramics are central. This way, everyone can explore at their own pace and according to their own interests.
From November 12 through 15, local fashion and design talent will be spotlighted via a walk covering no fewer than fifty locations in the very heart of the capital.
The MAD Parcours brings more than creativity into the city centre. By gathering emerging designers, established brands and local businesses, the event fosters collaborations within Brussels’ creative sector and enhances the visibility of sustainable and innovative talent. It is an invitation to the general public to come discover, meet and shop locally.
One of the many highlights this year is the reutilization of vacant display windows in the Antoine Dansaert Street, which curator Jean-François Declercq brings to life. Under the title Hommage(s) he explores the dialogue between memories and contemporary design, presenting a selection of unique pieces by Brussels designers in a poetic and mysterious setting. In addition to design from the 1980s and 1990s, there is also a nod to Belgian surrealism; among the designers featured are Kimy Grégoire and Noir Métal. Galleries including Galerie Christophe Gaillard and Gallery Sofie Van den Bussche are also hosting creatives.
On the fashion route, you’ll find locations such as oolong, VÊTUE, and Kat en Muis. On the design route, spots like Rempart 44, Zangra, and B-Collective are essential stops. There are many surprises too including venues such as Yves Winegallery, Mok, Smell Stories, and Maison Dandoy, places not immediately associated with fashion or design, but where creativity is fully embodied. The cross-pollination between the two disciplines shows that fashion and design do not fit neatly into boxes. The men’s clothing store STIJL Men features designs by Jord Lindelauf, and Underwear hosts Lerry Ceramics. In total, the parcours comprises 48 locations, representing over 130 creatives. Those into shiny things can head to the jewelry route and discover the work of designers such as Saskia Shutt or Els Vansteelandt.
Over four days, visitors are invited to (re)discover the city centre along a route passing through shops, studios, showrooms, galleries, and surprising locations.
The studios of the MAD Incubator are also open during the parcours. Alongside the ateliers of its ten residents including Aurélie Defez, Louise Verstraete, Eunji Oh, and Stan Vrebos, there will be a digital milling demonstration by Mekanika, a Brussels-based company specialising in milling machines. They support numerous creative talents through their open-source practice, and found in MAD Brussels the perfect partner to share their knowledge of their technique. Finally, the parcours would not be complete without a nod to Brussels pride. Manneken Pis will don his special outfit designed by Kasbah Kosmic for the occasion, marking the 90th anniversary of the National Lottery.
The MAD Parcours is free and open to everyone. During the event, MAD Brussels remains open as an information point.
For more information and the digital map with all locations and participating designers, visit the MAD Brussels website. A printed version of the map is available at MAD Brussels (Nieuwe Graanmarkt 10, 1000 Brussels) and at the participating locations. www.mad.brussels
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