Mercken

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

Mercken on boulevard de Waterloolaan is a new luxury store entirely dedicated to menswear and suits by renowned tailors such as Brioni (Barack Obama’s favourite), Ermenegildo Zegna, and the American top designer Tom Ford. Mercken is a family-run business, with a store in Antwerp and one in Hasselt, where it all began in 1986 when Frank Mercken opened his first boutique called Adonis. The heydays of Versace and the like made the shop the place to be for every man looking for the fashion key pieces of the golden 1980s. According to the Brussels shop manager Manu De Ridder, men choose their suit like they choose a car. Aston Martin lovers are bound to pick a Tom Ford suit, while the Brioni suits are usually worn by Rolls Royce fans, and Mercedes S enthusiasts will often pick a Zegna suit. Every suit can be made to measure and even made to order. And as it goes in the luxury sector, the sky is the limit. Whether you’d like a denim suit with a red leather lining (yes, this has been ordered in the past), or prefer to have your suit dropped off on your yacht in Monaco, everything is possible. Needless to say, you need a budget for such an exclusive piece of garment. But don’t let this stop you from visiting the boutique in Brussels, the range of shirts, ties, Tom Ford bags and sunglasses, casual wear, and cuff links causes less damage to your account. Also, Mercken is the only place in the Benelux where you can try on a Tom Ford suit, which works wonders for a man’s posture. It’s no surprise the American designer is the number one with many celebrities and grooms wanting to look their absolute best. And with Manu De Ridder’s tips, your suits may last a life time: store them on a large enough coat hanger, hang out the trousers completely (don’t fold them over), add a piece of cedar wood to keep the moths away, and find a good dry cleaner.

Mercken ●●●●
boulevard de Waterloolaan 8, 
Brussel/Bruxelles, 
02-503.41.02, www.mercken.com, ma/lu/Mo > za/sa/Sa 10 > 18.00