Pop-up shops may seem like a dime a dozen these days, but in the wake of successful—and widely covered—efforts by brands such as Comme des Garçon for its 40th anniversary, Nuzyn offers something a little different. Set in a former brothel, the initiative features some of Amsterdam’s most talked about labels, while offering a commentary on the power of fashion.

White tiled walls, cement floors and mirrored hallways make up the (almost) untouched interior of this independent clothing store, located in the city’s Redlight District. Far from the chic boutiques of Amsterdam’s old south, Nuzyn is set among marijuana-peddling coffeeshops, sex stores and tacky takeaway food joints. This out-of-the-way location makes finding the store into an adventure of its own.

Ontfront‘s mix of smart tailoring is perfect for suited, street-savvy men, and can be worn with pieces of reworked collared shirts from Jeroen van Tuyl. Knitted dresses and woolen mix pieces by Morgan Mansvelt Beck, meanwhile, are remnicent of KIND knitwear and add a dash of color to the monochromatic railings. The store’s accessories box displays a range of leaf inspired handmade silverwork by Karel Faber, along with Berlin-based Mykita’s handmade eyewear. The latter’s unisex range of lenses challenges the parametres of what can be done with eyewear, using functional plug connections and soldered joints in places other manufacturers would shy away from. Antwerp designer Harvey Bouterse, meanwhile, worked with the likes of Veronique Branquinho and Wim Neels before building his own label, HrVi. The store’s collection of HrVi jackets, tops and trousers make for good investment pieces.

For those who fantasize that all brothels were made into boutiques, then pop-up shops such as Nuzyn are a dream come true. Amsterdam’s infamous Redlight District now has more than just a legalised sex-trade to be proud of—it has a whole new generation of independent designers at its doorstep.

Shop location: Bergstraat 7a, 1015 AV Amsterdam

For more information, see nuzyn.nl.

—Retna Wooler