High street to high end
Whether you’re after designer couture or the hottest trends from the high-street, Sarah Rodrigues flashes her cash and maxes out her credit card to find the best stores in some of our favourite destinations
Illustrations Lene Knudsen
Feeling the pinch after the excesses of the festive season? Aren’t we all! But, really, what’s an overseas trip without a spot of recreational shopping? In this global age, when big-name labels are widely available in so many different destinations, there’s something rather refreshing – not to mention unique – about picking up a few fabulously fashionable pieces that are relatively particular to your destination. Not only will they serve as a reminder of where you’ve been, but you can be fairly certain that you won’t see any clones of yourself back home, either.
And there’s no reason why you have to bust your entire annual clothes allowance on one or two pieces – although, far be it from us to stop you. The best thing about contemporary fashion is that key looks and styles are reworked brilliantly on the high street, at a fraction of the cost and with minimal compromise on quality. Shop on.
BARCELONA
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Lisa Wixell
27-29 Car dels Flassaders, El Born, www.lisawixell.com
Although her designs are widely available in multi-brand stores in her native Scandinavia, Lisa Wixell works and lives in Barcelona. This is also where you’ll find her flagship boutique – flirty and feminine with a vixenish edge.
Jocomomola de Sybilla
6 Carrer dels Vigatans, El Born, www.jocomomola.es
Think eye-popping colour and retro designs based on geometrics and florals. Jocomomola’s success in Japan, with their love of accessories, has seen her branch out into umbrellas, gloves and hankies. So even if you can’t afford a coat or dress, you can brighten up your look with a touch of this designer’s characteristic quirkiness.
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Lefties
Various locations including Shop 44, Maremagnum Mall, Port Vell, www.lefties.es
For real bargains, savvy Barcelonan shoppers head to Lefties where, as the name suggests, you’ll find ‘lefties’ – leftovers – from ubiquitous Spanish label Zara, but at a fraction of the price. Snap up jeans for under €20 and tops from as little as €2.
Desigual
Various locations including 65 Carrer de l’Argenteria, El Born, www.desigual.com
Fun, original and affordable, Desigual is all about bold, colourful designs with a distinctly urban feel. Catering for both men and women, the stores are as vibrant and fun as the clothes themselves.
TURIN
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Cambronn donna
261 Corso Francia, www.cambronn.it
This is one of the best multi- brand stores in Turin. Who needs Prada and D&G when you can find such elegance, quality and femininity in the lesser known Italian labels stocked here?
Autopsie Vestimentaire
12d Via Bligny, www.autopsievestimentaire.com
A label for those who are looking for something beautiful and unique, with experimental and deconstructed, easy-to-wear pieces from local designer Alice Capelli.
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Q3
23 Via Monferrato
Showcasing new, young designers from Turin as well as other European fashion hotbeds, you can be sure you’ll always find something fabulously unique at Q3.
Griffes Diffusion
8 Corso Emilia, www.griffesdiffusion.it
Griffes Diffusion is outlet shopping at its best. Those with champagne tastes and beer pockets will love the range of designer clothes, shoes and accessories available at fantastically discounted prices.
VIENNA
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Loden-Plankl
6 Michaelerplatz, www.loden-plankl.at
Don’t be deterred by the fact that Loden-Plankl, established in 1830, specialises in traditional Austrian design. These are beautifully crafted pieces made from the highest quality materials – something for true fashionistas to put their own twist on and wear with flair.
Wiener Konfektion
20 Siebensterngasse, www.wienerkonfektion.at
Everything about this home-grown label is different, from the fact that about 20% of each collection is made from recycled fabrics to the idea that designers produce small collections and sew each piece themselves, which means they can respond quickly to the needs of individual customers.
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Humanic
1 Kärntnerstraße, www.shoemanic.com
Austria’s largest shoe company boasts a stylish yet affordable range of footwear, and the well thought-out layout of this store makes finding what you want a breeze. Expect to pay around €90 for a heeled pump.
Motmot
36 Kirchengasse, www.motmotshop.com
“Graphic design you can wear” is the thinking behind this label, which features bold, bright, quirky prints on quality cotton tees (purchased from ethical manufacturer American Apparel). At around €32 a pop, you can afford one in every design and colour.
COPENHAGEN
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Munthe plus Simonsen
10 Grennegade, www.muntheplussimonsen.com
This store is a treat: Venetian lamps, bronze mannequins and a water feature create a soothing environment in which to coo over feminine pieces with a rock-star edge. Stock up on beautifully embellished silk dresses and blouses, snuggly lambswool knitwear, leather trousers and breathe-in leggings.
Henrik Vibskov
6 Krystalgade, www.henrikvibskov.com
Quirky and bold, Henrik Vibskov’s creations aren’t for shrinking violets. Designing for both men and women, his collections scream modern cool with a touch of the fantastical.