Antwerp, the Flanders fashion capital, is hosting two extraordinary exhibitions that challenge and interrogate social conventions through art: “Masquerade, Make-Up & Ensor” at the Fashion Museum (MoMu) and “Cindy Sherman: Anti-Fashion” at the Museum of Photography (FOMU). Both exhibitions, running from September 28, 2024, to February 2, 2025, offer profound reflections on identity, beauty and the “masks” we wear.

MoMu: “Masquerade, Make-Up & Ensor”

“Masquerade, Make-Up & Ensor” at MoMu explores the fascinating intersection between makeup and masks, highlighting James Ensor’s fascination with ambiguity and self-expression. His works, filled with social critique, expose the insecurities and hypocrisies of a society afraid to show its true face. Through masks and costumes, Ensor not only conceals but also unveils the deepest emotions of his figures, inviting the public to reflect on existential questions: Why do we wear masks? How do we confront ever-evolving beauty ideals?

The exhibition offers a visual analysis of how makeup, often viewed with suspicion, can become a powerful tool of expression and revelation, allowing visitors to explore their own relationship with image and identity.

FOMU: “Cindy Sherman: Anti-Fashion”

At FOMU, “Cindy Sherman: Anti-Fashion” invites visitors to dive into the provocative world of photography. Spanning five decades of work, the exhibition reveals how Sherman has challenged aesthetic standards and social norms, creating images that question traditional beauty ideals.

Since the 1980s, Sherman has collaborated with iconic brands such as Comme des Garçons and Balenciaga, producing photographs that break away from conventional glamour. Her images, far from perfect beauty, offer a critical look at the superficiality of the fashion world and the construction of identity.

Both exhibitions intertwine in a vibrant and provocative dialogue, encouraging the public to reflect on how masks—whether physical or social—shape our perception of ourselves and others. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this fascinating intersection of art and fashion, where past and present merge to create a contemporary narrative.

Discover more information about the exhibitions at MoMu and FOMU on the VisitFlanders website.