Welcome to Petite Passport, a platform for people who love design & travel. A platform for people who love design & travel.
8 May 2025
Petite Passport turns 15 this year, and to celebrate, I’m inviting people who have truly made a difference over the years. Those who introduced innovative hospitality or retail concepts, played a key role in design travel, or opened places we all fell in love with.
This time, I’m checking in with Ilse Cornelissens, who opened Graanmarkt 13 in Antwerp exactly 15 years ago. We talk about moving away from traditional fashion seasons, the exciting new spots her former team members have launched, and the small boutique hotel in France she highly recommends.
What were you doing 15 years ago?
‘Fifteen years ago, we were at the very start of Graanmarkt 13. We officially opened our doors in February 2010. It was the beginning of an exciting journey, both personally and professionally. At the time, I was pregnant with our second son, and we were moving into the apartment above Graanmarkt 13, shaping the foundation of what would become our home and business.’
The shop at Graanmarkt 13
Graanmarkt 13 is known for curating a timeless wardrobe beyond seasonal trends. Is there a brand you’d recommend for someone building a long-lasting wardrobe? Do you have a favorite piece you’ve worn for years?
‘Sofie D’Hoore is the perfect brand for a timeless wardrobe. Her white poplin shirts are a staple – each season, she subtly reinvents this classic essential to keep it fresh while maintaining its core appeal. I have several of her white shirts, and each one brings something different to an outfit. They are pieces I keep reaching for, season after season.’
How is the design and fashion scene evolving in Antwerp? Are there any restaurants, hotels, shops, galleries, or designers we should keep an eye on?
‘Antwerp is constantly evolving, and I take pride in seeing former Graanmarkt 13 team members starting exciting new ventures. Some spots worth visiting:
Bar Misera – Opened by Yasmin Weyn (formerly of Graanmarkt 13) and her husband Nicolas Misera, located right next to their restaurant.
Nectar – A beautiful new concept blending food, flowers, and design, by Hannes Lefèvre and Olivier de Croock, both former Graanmarkt 13 team members.
As for designers, I’m thrilled that we’ll be introducing BB Wallace, a new knitwear brand by Meryll Rogge, next winter, along with the collection of Jean Paul Knott. We’ve always championed local talent and will continue to embrace the incredible creativity Belgium and Antwerp have to offer.’
What’s something you bought on a trip that holds special memories?
‘A tagine and a few carpets from Morocco. They always remind me of our trips with friends to Mirleft, where we stayed at Dar Najmat, a hotel owned by a friend’s family. Mirleft is still beautifully raw and untouched, which I love. Those trips were filled with surfing, haggling over carpets in the village, and, of course, incredible food – such great memories!’
Bar Misera in Antwerp by former Graanmarkt 13 team member Yasmin Weyn
What are you most proud of at Graanmarkt 13?
‘Without a doubt, the decision to move away from traditional fashion seasons. It allows us to give clothing the time and respect it deserves. Running a store where sales happen at a slower, more thoughtful pace feels so much more meaningful. Instead of following conventional sales periods, we upcycle our clients’ closets twice a year through our 2nd-hand sale. It’s a way of keeping pieces in circulation and embracing a more mindful approach to consumption.’
If someone had just one day in Antwerp, what would be the perfect itinerary?
‘I’d start the day with coffee and a croissant at Funk Bakery, then head to KMSKA for an inspiring art experience. Lunch would be at Cobra on their terrace, perfect for people-watching, or at Nectar, just opened next door. In the afternoon, some shopping, and in the evening, I’d go to Bar Misera or Borze Café – my husband’s place, a cozy brown café with great wine and simple, delicious food.’
Beyond Antwerp, is there a place in Belgium you’d recommend?
‘Villa Cavrois – just outside of Belgium, in France, and a stunning piece of architecture and an inspiring place to visit.’
Bakkerij Funk in Antwerp
What’s been the most inspiring trip you’ve taken? What made it so special?
‘Traveling through South America for four months after my studies remains one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Having the time to fully immerse myself in different places, without the pressure of schedules or must-sees, was pure freedom.’
Which small design hotel would you recommend, and why?
‘I’d love to visit Hôtel Du Couvent in Nice, a newly finished project by Valery Grego. We met him a few years ago, and I admire his vision of hospitality. It would be wonderful to experience this place firsthand.’
If you were celebrating a milestone, like a 15-year anniversary, where would you go and what would you do?
‘I’d take the time to finally visit Japan with my family – a trip that has been on my wish list for years!’
The restaurant of Hôtel du Couvent in Nice
(Images by: portrait picture Ilse Cornelissen by Cristina Nesterova, photo Graanmarkt 13 by Eliane Willaert, photo Bar Misera by Eefje De Conick en Senne Van Der Ven, Funk by Petite Passport and Hôtel du Couvent provided by Le Couvent)
