Champagne and An Olive (or two)

Antwerps answer to "the crisis" is to open

more refined, personal and artistic shops, restaurants and art spaces.

(Eagerly expected: ra, for fashion & food will open in October '09;

The Saltwarehouse-for art and performance, will open on Valentines day '10;

Graanmarket 13,a very special concept involving fashion, design,food AND art will open in March)

But first up is Prague (which opened officially this week) sandwiched between the largest Yohji Yamamoto

shop on the planet and something called Sissy Boy (!). Prague is small and dark but it's almost all black aesthetic

is vibrant consisting of the work of Rick Owens, Carol Christian Poell and beautiful wearable clothing by Haider Ackerman,

all lovingly curated by owner Louis Dijksman. And why is it called Prague?

In tribute to a famous photo from 1968 showing a protester confronting a tank and wearing a tee shirt that says, "Go to Hell"

Photo # 1 Prague Antwerp by Louis Dijksman www.prague-by-louis-dijksman.nl

Photo # 2 Belgian beauty in a dress by Haider Ackerman