Fashion & Lace Museum

The Fashion & Lace Museum is a textile and fashion museum located in the heart of Brussels, Belgium. Founded in 1977, the institution originally operated under a different name, the Museum of Costume and Lace, before adopting its current title to better reflect the broader scope of its collections.

What does the museum focus on?

The core of the collection is lace, a craft with deep roots in Belgium that stretches back to the 15th century. This long-standing tradition turned Brussels and other Flemish and Walloon centres into some of the most important lacemaking hubs in Europe, and that heritage is directly reflected in the museum's holdings. Alongside lace, the institution also covers the wider subject of fashion and textiles, a shift signalled by the change of name from the narrower "Museum of Costume and Lace" to the more encompassing "Fashion & Lace Museum."

Why is lace such a central theme?

Belgium's lacemaking tradition is not a minor footnote in the history of craft — it represents an unbroken continuity spanning several centuries, carried forward through generations of lacemakers and evolving techniques. By placing this theme at the centre of its mission, the museum functions as an institution that documents and safeguards this part of the region's cultural heritage. Expanding the scope to fashion also allows lace to be presented in a broader context, as part of garments and everyday textiles rather than as an isolated craft object.

Where is the museum located?

The Fashion & Lace Museum sits in central Brussels, making it an easily reachable stop for visitors exploring the historic core of the Belgian capital. Its central location means the museum naturally fits into itineraries that combine other cultural and historical sites in downtown Brussels.

What is the museum's history?

The museum was established in 1977, meaning it has served as a cultural institution dedicated to textiles for several decades. Its original name, Museum of Costume and Lace, pointed to the two pillars of its collection: costume and lace. Over time, the name evolved into its current form, Fashion & Lace Museum, better capturing a contemporary approach that presents fashion as a phenomenon broader than historical costume alone.

Frequently asked questions

How does the current name differ from the original one? The museum was founded as the Museum of Costume and Lace and later changed its name to the Fashion & Lace Museum, a shift that reflects a move from historical costume toward a broader concept of fashion.

Since when has the museum existed? The institution was founded in 1977 and has operated in central Brussels ever since.

Why is lace such an important part of the collection? Lacemaking is a traditional Belgian craft dating back to the 15th century, which makes it a natural foundation for a collection devoted to textiles and fashion.

Where exactly is the museum located? The museum is located in central Brussels, in an easily accessible spot for anyone visiting the Belgian capital.