At a quarter to eleven the first group takes its seat, aged 52 to 65. At a quarter to eight in the evening, the last, aged 22 to 30. In between, the temperature at the Modemuseum Hasselt climbs a degree or two, and the sun has nothing to do with it.

On 11 and 12 July, singles will be speed dating among the display cases of Memory is Home, the exhibition in which eighteen fashion professionals have hung up their memories of garments and everyday objects. Saturday 11 July coincides with Pride Hasselt: that day there are separate Men Only and Women Only editions. On Sunday 12 July the table is mixed. Four starting times on both days, each with its own age group.

Which is faster: falling in love, or sharing a memory? The set-up demands both at once. You look at someone you have never met, and over their shoulder hangs a stranger’s coat — with a story the museum has written down. It is not about the clothes. It is about what people have hung on them, and about how much of that you dare pass on to someone you do not know yet.

Afterwards there are drinks. Anyone who wants to can visit the exhibition straight after, at no extra cost. At a quarter to eight the last group takes its seat. By then the museum is a few degrees warmer, and no one is talking about the temperature any more.

Practical
Saturday 11 July: Men Only and Women Only, during Pride Hasselt. Sunday 12 July: mixed.
Starting times on both days: 10.45 am (ages 52–65), 1.45 pm (ages 40–50), 4.45 pm (ages 28–38), 7.45 pm (ages 22–30).
Modemuseum Hasselt, Gasthuisstraat 11, 3500 Hasselt.
Register at dare-events.be.