Fashion a holiday out of Brussels

Perhaps better known as the home of the EU's Eurocrats, Brussels is building up a reputation for being a hotbed of fashion talent.

Brussels has named 2006 its year of fashion and design, and has organised a variety of events, exhibitions and shopping tours to help the style-conscious enjoy the best in design in the Belgian capital city.

A tour of the city will take holidaying fashionistas along the trendy rue Dansaert, the Saint Jacques district, Le Sablon and the Avenue Louise, which is crammed with exclusive boutiques.

Between June and November, a trip through the Art Deco Galerie Ravenstein, a walkway arcade lined with shops that links the Palais des Beaux Arts with the lower part of the city, will be more than just a shopping experience.

There are a number of exhibitions being organised along the arcade, with many drawing inspiration from 50s style. These are free for visitors, meaning they can combine a spot of shopping with some history as well.

Further insight can be gained into Brussels fashion with a visit to the Royal Museums of Art and History at the Cinquantenaire/Jubelpark between June and October.

Here the exhibitions examine the differences and similarities between modern, cutting-edge Brussels fashion and that of 300 years ago. Tourists can see how lace and other fabrics were used back then, how techniques differ and what methods have been carried through. Perfect for any budding designer.

Perhaps one of the best ways of enjoying the fashion and design of Brussels is just to take some time out, walk around the city and admire the bright young things and the quietly striking architecture that surrounds them.

For more information on Brussels fashion and design year and the Royal Museums of Art and History, visit www.visitbelgium.com and www.kmkg-mrah.be respectively. XXX