There are boutiques that follow fashion, and then there are houses that define it.
In 1984, when Sonja Noël opened STIJL in the heart of Brussels, the Dansaert district was little more than a quiet corner of the city. Four decades later, it has become one of Europe’s most vibrant creative neighbourhoods — thanks, in no small part, to her instinct, elegance and courage.



This year, Brussels celebrates her journey with the exhibition “+40 YEARS OF STIJL”, presented at the Museum of Lace and Fashion.
A tribute to a woman who helped write some of the most important chapters of the Belgian avant-garde.



Walking into STIJL has always felt like stepping into a world shaped by conviction. Sonja Noël has the rare ability to sense talent before the world sees it — her early support of what would become the Antwerp Six is today part of fashion history. But beyond the iconic designers, STIJL has always been about something deeper: a spirit, a rhythm, a way of living Brussels… fully, intensely, beautifully.



Her inspiration flows from the streets of downtown Brussels, from the quiet poetry of everyday life, from Italy’s light and New York’s energy — influences that nourish her instinct and her impeccable eye.

This December, her contribution to Belgian fashion has been officially recognised at the Belgian Fashion Awards 2025, where Sonja Noël received the prestigious Professional of the Year distinction.



A well-deserved honour for a woman who has shaped generations of designers, revitalised an entire district, and built a space that still feels as contemporary, personal and alive as on the day it opened.



The exhibition at the Museum of Lace and Fashion is more than a retrospective — it is a journey through silhouettes, textures, moods and eras.
Through the evolution of a boutique that became an institution. Through the pulse of a district transformed by creativity. Through the uncompromising vision of a founder who has always preferred the courage of authenticity to the comfort of trends.
In 2025, Brussels celebrates Sonja Noël not only for the past she has built, but for the elegance and sincerity with which she continues to inspire the future.
STIJL remains, after forty years, a beacon for all those who believe that fashion is not just clothing — but culture, identity, and the art of shaping the world around us.

More information.

STIJL store for Women.
Avenue Antoine Dansaert, 74 - 1000 Brussels

STIJL for Men.
Place Marche aux grains, 6 - 1000 Brussels