Arte Antwerp emerged as a bridge between art, fashion, and community, born in the heart of a city with a powerful artistic legacy.
If you want to dive deeper into one of the most compelling projects of the moment, here are some facts and stories that define its uniqueness.
Origins and the mind behind Arte Antwerp
Bertony Da Silva, from Luanda to Antwerp: The brand’s founder, Bertony Da Silva, was born in Luanda (Angola) and moved to Antwerp at the age of 14, bringing a global perspective to the label.
Arternative, the creative seed: Before Arte Antwerp, Da Silva launched Arternative, a project regarded as the direct precursor and testing ground for the vision that would later crystallize into the brand.
Arte Antwerp, the final name: With the opening of its first store, Arternative evolved into Arte Antwerp.
Creative effervescence: Arte Antwerp came to life in 2009, when Bertony was in his early twenties and balancing the project with his Graphic Design studies. His goal was to channel the cultural vibrancy of cities like Amsterdam, Paris, and London into Antwerp.
Antwerp: The artistic soul of the brand
A double artistic legacy: Antwerp is no ordinary city. It is deeply tied to two revolutionary artistic movements:
- The Antwerp School (16th–17th centuries): Home to painting and engraving masters like Rubens, Jacob Jordaens, and Anton van Dyck, who left an indelible mark.
- The Antwerp Six (1980s–90s): A group of designers (Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Marina Yee) who, together with Martin Margiela, reshaped global fashion. Arte Antwerp draws directly from this lineage.
A brand born from the community: Much like Patta or Daily Paper in Amsterdam, Arte Antwerp has a deep connection with its city and neighborhoods, aspiring to become a community symbol that reflects its environment.
Philosophy and reach beyond fashion
The T-shirt as the first canvas: Arte Antwerp’s very first product was a T-shirt. For a graphic designer, it was the simplest and most direct way to project ideas. From the beginning, the brand’s name already pointed to ambitions that went beyond clothing.
Blending creative disciplines: While rooted in streetwear, Arte Antwerp’s scope is much broader. Graphic design, photography, painting, and architecture are not distant influences but integral to the brand’s DNA and vision.
Social impact and artistic collaboration: Arte Antwerp doesn’t just design, it acts. Its stores often double as exhibition spaces for works by artists Da Silva calls the “Arte community.” The brand also organizes design contests whose proceeds are donated to charities in Palestine, Congo, or Sudan, showcasing a social commitment that reaches beyond the runway.
Arte Antwerp proves that a brand can be much more than a collection of garments. It is a project with a soul, rooted in a city rich in history and creativity, using fashion as a vehicle to express art, foster community, and generate positive impact. It is an invitation to see clothing as a form of culture in constant motion.