The Kooples

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

The name sounds English, but The Kooples is a 100% French clothing label founded by three brothers. It’s known for its androgynous looks and rock-inspired outfits, for both men an women. After a raging success story in France, The Kooples found its way to the city centre of Brussels as well. The shop is located on rue Dansaertstraat, surrounded by a number of other French shops (amongst others, Sandro, Maje, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Eleven Paris, and Zadig & Voltaire), making the street look a shopping zone in Paris rather than Brussels. But that’s a different story. As the name suggests, The Kooples focuses on couples (their tagline reads “a closet for two”). Expect perfectly cut blazers for him and her, neat shirts, skinny trousers, oversized T-shirts, and military jackets, mainly in darker coulours. The line for men matches the line for women, with similar tones and designs. The brand is extremely popular with those fond of the “street chic” style and “rock & roll smart” with a very British ring to it. Last spring for instance, England’s troubled musician Peter Doherty helped design a few items for the collection. The Kooples recently added a sports line to their shops as well, including stylish sweatshirts, T-shirts, and Wedge sneakers. You’ll find most of the collection at the Dansaert store, with its classy all-black facade. Inside the shop, you’ll notice the big pictures of happy couples wearing matching outfits, and even the mannequins come in pairs, dressed in coordinated clothes. Despite its loyal fan base and international expansion, The Kooples deals with one major point of criticism: the prices are high, too high for a luxury chain store. But you’d be surprised what people are willing to pay for these clothes, wrapped in a sleek black cloth shopping bag.

The Kooples ●●
rue Antoine Dansaertstraat 88, Brussel/Bruxelles, 02-503.43.36, www.thekooples.com, ma/lu/Mo > za/sa/Sa 10 > 18.00 (do/je/Th & za/sa/Sa > 19.00)