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Boxpark, London

Boxpark is a pop-up store located in Shoreditch, East London.

It will be open for the next 4 years and it is the brainchild of founder and CEO Roger Wade, who established it in 2011.

Boxpark is built of low-cost and low-risk shipping containers allocated to emerging labels, galleries, café and lifestyle brands such as Nike, Vans or The North Face.

It is a sustainable and dynamic project that has given life to a unique shopping and dining destination.

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✰ Personal Impressions:

I am fascinated by the innovative and high-design concept lying behind Boxpark.

Check out: Marimekko, Wandering Minds, Sparks and Tush und Egon. Stop by at Milk Tea and Pearl on a warm summer afternoon.

http://www.boxpark.co.uk

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Anthropologie at Chelsea Market, NYC

This store has what I like to call an aery atmosphere.

The space is wide and enlighted by big windows, the floor is made of wooden panels and the overall design gives a sensation of lightness.

The clothes and accessories have a bohemian vibe and recall Isabel Marant's style: French chicness mixed with ethnic prints.

Cute cards and small paper gifts, glass cases displaying handcrafted jewellery and home items in pastel shades complete Anthropologie's offer and the store's own fragrance and background music make it the perfect destination for a relaxing shopping afternoon.

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http://us.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp

http://chelseamarket.com/anthropologie/

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Disclaimer: I was hung over and sleep depraved when I wrote this at Bucharest Airport. But I just re-read and I still agree. :)

I just spent 10 days in Romania. There was not a specific reason why I went, it was just a country that I have never visited so I booked a flight. A friend...

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Artists and Fleas at Chelsea Market - NYC

I have recently discovered the lovely Artists and Fleas pop-up while wandering around in Chelsea.

Here artists, emerging designers and vintage clothing sellers can display their treasures in what looks like the interior of an old factory: flirty frocks, sequined vintage dresses, affordable furs from the 50s but also jewellery or old vinyls.

The vendors' attitude is informal and they are willing to get in touch with curious visitors.

Find more on:

http://www.artistsandfleas.com/

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✰ Personal Impressions:

Perfect for cheap but quality finds and unique gifts.

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Carturesti, Bucharest

     This has to be one of my favourite places in Bucharest.

Once the house of painter Arthur Verona, the beautiful building on Strada Verona is now one of the most up-to-date bookshops in the Romanian capital.

Here you will find a wide choice of books, films and the latest cd releases but also stationery, cards or Moleskine planners.

The interior design of the house has not been radically changed so the parquet floor, inlaid walls and fireplace preserve a charming traditional vibe.

The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxing as jazz music plays on.

Everything is taken care of down to the finest detail, making you want to discover every single corner of this special bookshop.

Loyal customers as well as passers-by are invited to take a seat and leaf through their favourite book, perhaps in a hard-cover special edition, on the first floor of the house.

Here is also where comes the icing on the cake: a fine selection of teas coming from all over the world as well as colourful teacups, jars of jam and hand crafted chocolate bars.

Art exhibitions, book presentations, concerts and gourmet tastings are held within the bookshop as well.

The adjacent Café Verona and its lovely garden are another reason why Carturesti Verona should be on your list of go-to spots while in Bucharest. The courtyard is a true natural oasis in the middle of the city, a cool place where to chill out during the hot summer nights.

http://librarie.carturesti.ro/prima-pagina-1/

https://www.facebook.com/Carturesti?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Café-Verona/228071765132?fref=ts

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✰ Personal Impressions:

I am in love with every single aspect of this bookshop: from the architecture of the building to the selection of music, the smell of paper and the sound of wood panels crunching under my feet.

Café Verona is a heavenly spot where to enjoy nice drinks, try its cuisine and meet interesting young people.

In a word, Carturesti has it all.

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High Tech, Milan

It is very difficult to describe High Tech, located in Piazza XXV Aprile and very close to Corso Como, Milan: shop, emporium, concept store?

What is certain is that here you will find a bit of everything. In fact, this is the right place where to look for an interesting gift idea or for a unique and fun accessory for your house.

As soon as you enter, you will be surrounded by candles, scented oils, stationery and all kinds of small objects you will absolutely "feel the need" to buy (even if not necessarily useful).

In the adjacent rooms you will find special furniture, branded bathroom and kitchen items (Alessi, Kartell) or technological gadgets, all sporting a specific "design" trait.

But also big capital letters made of metal foils, garden gnomes or accessories for your pet.

Hight Tech is in fact Cargo's showroom, so if you are willing to discover more head for this bigger store located in Via Meucci.

http://www.high-techmilano.com/hightech/servlet/SrvInvoker?template=capitolo&id_cap=35&id_cap_path=35&lang=it

https://www.facebook.com/CargoHighTech?fref=ts

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✰ Personal Impressions:

Lovely space where to find truly different items.

Prices are quite high though, so be prepared to open your wallet for that small gadget adding a funny detail to your home furniture.

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Boom & Mellow, Dubai

This lovely little shop is located inside the huge Mall of the Emirates in Dubai and, even if it is not a concept store, I liked it so much that I had to feature it on my blog.

The shop window's golden frame, the chandelier and the ornate tables and display cases create the perfect "1001 Arabic Nights" atmosphere.

Here you will find fine jewellery by Alexis Bittar as well as all types of fun accessories ranging from bags, bracelets, scarves, hats or clutches.

Shourouk, Anton Heunis, Leitmotiv or Deux Lux are just some of the brands carried by this exquisite boutique.

http://www.boomandmellow.com/

https://www.facebook.com/boomandmellow?fref=ts

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Hobirama, Bucharest

There is a small and dainty shop inside the historic Hanul cu Tei on Lipscani Street: Hobirama.

The interior design has a charming retró vibe: everything is painted in relaxing pastel shades and the flowers on the wallpaper add a feminine touch.

The chandelier, the light curtains and the old flatiron placed on the central table help to create the shop's vintage atmosphere.

Here you will find oversize bags by Wig Anthology or Saisei, simple yet graceful pieces of jewellery, graphic t-shirts and a selection of edgy pieces by Barbara I Gongini or Masnada.

And, last but not least, the soft and colourful ballet-inspired shoes by Italian brand Anniel.

http://hobirama.ro/home.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hobirama/199544243412699?fref=ts

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✰ Personal Impressions:

This is the right place to discover if you are looking for something really different.

Plus, the beauty of the surrounding neighbourhood is worth enough the search.

I am a big fan of Anniel shoes (I would probably have a pair in every shade and material, if I could) so I warmly recommend this discrete and chic place!

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La Basilica Galeria, Barcelona

If you happen to wander around the narrow and picturesque streets of Barcelona, you absolutely have to discover a dreamy jewellery shop near to the Catedrál: La Basilica Galeria.

A charming feminine statue covered in red rose bulbs and Swarovski crystals is the first thing that welcomes you and catches your attention. A wolf is placed right next to her, reminding you of the "Little Red Riding Hood" tale.

The floor is covered with rose petals and the eyes are unable to choose where to look first as antique display cases are full of unique and fun pieces of jewellery.

Here plastic cockroaches come together to form creepy necklaces and earrings come in the shape of miniature bags of oranges.

A mix of precious stones, flowers, painted ceramic pieces, different shapes and characters give life to accessories that will surely not pass unnoticed.

This magic place makes you feel as if living in a fairy tale, even just for a moment.

http://www.labasilica.es/

https://www.facebook.com/labasilica.galeria?fref=ts

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✰ Personal Impressions:

If you have the chance to come to Barcelona, entering this shop might be as rewarding as visiting a museum: its pieces of jewellery are so beautifully crafted that they truly are oeuvres d'art.

The prices are of course quite high, but the quality and uniqueness are defintely worth the expense.

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Entrance Shop, Bucharest

The recently refurbished shop is one of a kind: carrying brands such as Comme des Garçons, Rick Owens or Giuliano Fujiwara, it stands apart from the other Bucharest based fashion stores.

Brainchild of the architecture, interiors and product design studio Square One                        ( http://www.squareone.ro/ ), Entrance Shop welcomes its clients in a visionary décor made of artsy installations.

The mix between niche, international labels and emerging local brands like Pas du Tout ( pas.d.tout.3@facebook.com ), together with the store's dark, essential and modern interior design make it a unique shopping destination in the Romanian increasingly cool capital.

https://www.facebook.com/entrance.shop?fref=ts

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✰ Personal Impressions:

No, you are not in Antwerp nor in Stockholm but in Bucharest!

Check out this über-cool store's selection of somber brands and its gloomy yet fascinating interior design.

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Hey, I am back!

I did't think I would have started posting again but in the past year I have seen (and fell in love with) so many exquisite concept stores and simple but unique shops that I just could resist and felt the need the share them with you.

So after a bachelor degree at Bocconi Business School, the Vogue Fashion Certificate I will be attending at London's brand new Condé Nast College from April 2013 and a few trips around the world keeping myself busy, I will be featuring again those special places and stores that have captured my attention and that I hope you will want to discover afterwards!

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One last suggestion . . .

In my last post I featured The Place Concept Store located in Bucharest, Romania.

Why such an usual choice?

Because I'm half Romanian and I believe that people should not always focus on the same destinations such as Paris or New York for their vacations, and that more attention should be paid to incredibly interesting and rapidly developing countries such as those located in Eastern Europe.

I must say that one of the things I've learned while doing this blog is how wide is the choice we have in life. About almost everything.

There are so many places to discover, people to meet, countries to visit, decisions to take and mistakes (not) to make.

So widen your horizons.

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 Libertà Errani

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The Place Concept Store Bucharest, Romania

Located in Calea Dorobantilor, one of the city's most trendy and renowned boulevards, The Place Concept Store opened in 2007 becoming the first Romanian concept store ever.

Right after its opening, The Place singled out instantly. It became a versatile space mixing luxury and avant-garde brands with the hottest music labels, high tech gadgets, artsy books and magazines.

The store also displays local designers and hosts events for capsule collections.

Iulia Dobrin, owner of the shop and creator of the luxury lingerie brand ID Sarrieri ( http://www.sarrieri.com/ ) wants to give Romanian potential buyers the same possibility to find übercool, brand new collections (and at the same market prices) as any other European shopping and quality addicts do.

Here is what she declared in an interview given to the Romanian fashion, beauty and lifestyle website http://fashionandbeauty.ro/ in 2007: " Credem ca publicul din Romania s-a saturat de magazine in care se gasesc piese izolate, din sezoane amestecate, la preturi mult peste pretul european, alese dupa nu se stie ce criterii ...  Pentru ca publicul din Romania merita sa gaseasca un loc de unde poate alege piese de vestimentatie si accesorii prezentate pe podium la Paris, Milano sau New York, un loc in care colectiile ajung in acelasi timp si la acelasi pret ca in toate concept-store-urile din lume. Intr-un concept store gasesti intotdeauna cele mai bune colectii ale sezonului, atat ale marcilor arhicunoscute cit si ale unor designeri mai putin cunoscuti dar care in acel sezon au colectii valoroase care impresioneaza presa internationala. Nu in ultimul rind, este la fel de important pentru public faptul ca selectiile care ajung intr-un concept store sunt facute de stilisti profesionisti, care stiu sa vaneze ce anume va fi "hot" pentru sezonul viitor." 

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http://theplaceconceptstore.com/

https://www.facebook.com/The.Place.Concept.Store?fref=ts

http://www.sarrieri.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sarrieri

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GLUE CLOTHINGS: A RAVENNA, UN CONCEPT STORE DA SOGNO

                                             Articolo di Simone Sbarbati da grazia.it

Abbigliamento ed accessori ma anche vinili, riviste, libri e fanzines. Quando entri da  Glue Clothings, non entri in un semplice negozio ma direttamente – è il cosiddetto effetto “Being John Malkovich” - nella testa di Mattia Pullini, giovane sognatore che lo scorso anno ha deciso di investire tempo, denaro e passione in uno spazio che sembra uscito da un reportage sui concept stores di Brooklyn o di Berlino, quando in realtà siamo a Ravenna, Italia.

Incuriosito dal pezzo sicuramente più vistoso del negozio, la cassa a forma di pietra gigante che è praticamente impossibile non notare, e dall’ottima scelta dei brands, subito dopo l’apertura mi sono messo a curiosare e a tempestare di domande Mattia, che per fortuna è stato disponibilissimo e non si è nascosto sotto al sasso a mo’ di lucertola…

La prima cosa da sapere è che Glue Clothings (il nome viene da una storica fanzine punk degli anni ’70, Sniffin’Glue) è una sorta di ritratto, in forma di negozio, del suo proprietario, che l’ha costruito a propria immagine e somiglianza, mescolando stile, musica, cultura e soprattutto una scelta di marchi ben lontana dalle logiche commerciali, con nomi come Henrik Vibskov, Anniel, BibiGhost, Libertine Libertine, You Must Create, Warmi, F-Troupe, Rachel Comey, Our Legacy, Sessùn, Wood Wood e brands italiani emergenti come Babbu, Phonz Says Black e Button Noise.

Il negozio, surreale e minimale, l'ha realizzato e progettato un suo amico, Marcantonio Raimondi, talentuoso designer con una carriera parallela da artista che per Glue è riuscito a creare un equilibrio quasi magico: più che semplice arredamento le sue sono vere e proprie installazioni d'arte, con chicche come la serra (che in realtà è il magazzino), la cassa/masso di cui sopra, i sassi con le ruote, il pavimento che inizia con mattonelle nere e bianche e poi sfuma in cemento…

Tutti elementi che trasformano il semplice fare shopping in esperienza.
Tra pochi giorni, tra l’altro, Glue aprirà il suo store online quindi anche chi abita lontano potrà “rubare” un pezzettino di quell’esperienza, anche se soltanto virtualmente.

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( http://www.grazia.it/Stile-di-vita/tendenze-lifestyle/Glue-Clothings-a-Ravenna-un-concept-store-da-sogno )

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Intervista a Mattia Pulini, Glue Clothings

Come nasce l’idea di Glue Clothings?

L’idea di aprire un negozio indipendente come Glue è nata dopo diversi anni di esperienza nel campo dell’abbigliamento e il desiderio di mostrare agli altri il mio punto di vista, credo “diverso” dalle proposte già esistenti, soprattutto in una piccola realtà come Ravenna. Ho aperto a marzo 2010 in centro storico e tratto abbigliamento maschile e femminile, lavorando con brands di ricerca innovativi e giovani. All’interno del negozio si trovano in vendita anche le macchine fotografiche Lomo, un’ampia gamma di vinili, fanzines e libri fotografici illustrati. Glue viene spesso paragonato allo stile di altri store del nord europa ed è un po’ l’atmosfera che volevo creare. Il nome del negozio, Glue Clothings deriva dalla storica fanzine punk degli anni '70 "sniffin'glue”.

Come scegli i capi che si possono trovare da Glue?

L’idea di aprire uno spazio mio era nell’aria già da tempo ma la decisione definitiva è nata dopo un viaggio a Berlino, in cui ho potuto “toccare con mano” realtà che corrispondevano alla mia ideologia di concept store. Conoscevo già alcuni designer con cui mi sarebbe piaciuto lavorare, per gli altri brands ho fatto ricerca sul web, in showroom e alla fiere. Alcuni mi hanno contattato direttamente proponendomi il loro marchio. Mi piace l’idea che i brands nel negozio siano in continua evoluzione e che quello che nasce come capo da uomo possa essere tranquillamente indossato anche da una donna. Succede spesso da Glue che una cliente acquisti un capo maschile.

La maggior parte delle ditte che tratto sono nuovi designer del Nord Europa (l’area secondo me al momento più interessante e dinamica dal punto di vista della moda e dove si lascia maggior spazio alla creatività dei giovani): Henrik Vibskov, Odeur, Our Legacy, Soulland, Wood Wood, Norse Project, Libertine Libertine, Han Kjobenhavn, Rockin Footwear. Altre ditte sono invece francesi, soprattutto per la donna, come Sessun, inglesi (You Must Create, B-Store) e americane (Create Built Destroy, un collettivo di giovani emergenti di New York e Vans). Cerco ovviamente di avere un occhio di riguardo per il Made in Italy, in negozio si possono trovare le scarpe Anniel Shoes (Treviso), fatte a mano e lavorate con vari pellami, Phonz Says Black, Biscuit and Ball e Buttonnoise.  

Com’è il tipico cliente Glue?

Avendo aperto solo da un anno è un pò difficile parlare già di target, ma per il momento posso dire che è abbastanza ampio e variegato, dal giovanissimo che compra la t-shirt o la Vans all’uomo adulto che entra per una camicia o una scarpa in cuoio. E’ comunque compreso tra i 25 e i 50 per lo più, anche per quanto riguarda la donna. Sembrerà incredibile ma molta parte del mio profitto viene da fuori Ravenna. Ho diversi clienti che vengono da altre città o addirittura regioni perché da loro manca un negozio come il mio, dicono, persone che hanno visto lo store su facebook o tramite passaparola, e sono disposti a percorrere chilometri pur di venire a vederlo. Ora che Glue è anche on-line (http://www.glueclothings.com) potranno acquistare senza dover fare tanta strada, e questo è sicuramente più comodo per loro, oltre che essere un nuovo punto di forza per me. Per quanto riguarda il ravennate posso dire di avere già una clientela più o meno fissa e altra che si sta pian piano creando. Sono consapevole che la novità spiazza e chi è abituato a comprare sempre negli stessi negozi fatica ad avvicinarsi o provare altro, ma spero pian piano di far capire a un pubblico sempre maggiore che esistono nuove e più fresche realtà.

Organizzi eventi legati al mondo della musica, arte e cultura all’interno del tuo negozio?

Sì, spesso da Glue organizzo mostre fotografiche, dj set in vetrina, video, mini concerti live di band che mi concedono di venire a suonare gratuitamente ma che sono comunque legate all’ambito musicale che seguo (il tutto accompagnato dalle ormai famose birrette fresche offerte dalla casa). Mi piace il fatto che il mio negozio sia anche un luogo di aggregazione e di incontro e non solo di shopping. Dopotutto lo spazio, ampio e luminoso, si presta perfettamente per eventi di questo genere. Un mio grande desiderio sarebbe quello di invitare il designer Henrik Vibskov da Glue per un dj set o una delle sue fantastiche performance, incrocia le dita per me!

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Vorrei personalmente ringraziare Elena, la ragazza di Mattia, tramite la quale sono riuscita ad ottenere questa intervista.

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Glue Clothings, Ravenna

I'm really happy to feature Glue Clothings, a brand new concept store located in the heart of my historic hometown, Ravenna.

Mattia Pulini, the shop's young owner, has brought a breath of fresh air to the city's sleepy fashion landscape.

Opened in March 2010, Glue Clothings clearly stands out among other quite boring shops not only for its selection of emerging brands from northern Europe and Italy such as Henrik Vibskov, Libertine Libertine, You Must Create, Our Legacy, Sessùn, Wood Wood, Phonz Says Black or Button Noise, but also because of its minimal and innovative interior, carefully fitted out by designer and friend Marcantonio Raimondi ( http://www.marama.it/ ).

The shop has also a vivid creative life thanks to its many events such as concerts, dj sets, videos and photography exhibitions and does not focus only on clothing. In fact, you will also find Lomo cameras, a wide choice of vinyl records, photography books and fanzines at Glue (whose name, by the way, derives from a 70's punk fanzine called "Sniffin'glue").

The store has been often compared to the ones you can find in norther Europe (see Berlin or Stockholm) and this is exactly the kind of atmosphere that Mattia wanted to recreate.

Glue's number and type of clients is constantly growing (also thanks to its on-line shop, http://www.glueclothings.com/, reaching customers as far as Japan) as well as its reputation (it has been recently featured by Grazia Magazine).

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glue-Clothings/158543270827128?fref=ts

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✰ Personal Impressions:

Young, new, different.

Give it a try, definitely.

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Apre a Milano il primo concept store eco-friendly

Un quarto di green-design, uno di moda eco-chic, uno di cultura e uno di relax: condite con tanto spirito di socializzazione, agitate con brio et voilà, ecco la ricetta del primo EcoConcept Store Italiano, firmato da Atelier del Riciclo ( www.atelierdelriciclo.it ).

Un unico spazio per tutti gli ingredienti del nuovo modello di consumo sostenibile: zero sprechi, riuso e riciclo come tematiche portanti coniugate con elementi glam, all’insegna di un nuovo edonismo sostenibile.

A Porta Genova, tra i Navigli e Zona Tortona, il nuovo ecoConcept store è un open suggestivo che comprende:

swap boutique dedicata allo scambio di abiti, accessori moda e bijoux

library-lounge dove rilassarsi, incontrare amici, navigare in internet free wi-fi e consultare liberamente libri e riviste dedicate all’ecologia, alla moda ed al design

live-show-room di oggetti d’arte e green design realizzati con materiali di recupero

spazio mostre e corsi dedicati ai temi della sostenibilità.

All'inaugurazione dell'evento hanno partecipato anche:

Antonella Carù, docente di marketing management - Università Bocconi

Isacco Brioschi, architetto portavoce della green architecture e dell’organic design

Antonio Sotgiu, fashion designer creatore del progetto EcoGlam

Grazia Pallagrosi, presidente Atelier del Riciclo

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( http://www.urbanswaparty.it/blog/84-apre-a-milano-il-primo-concept-store-completamente-dedicato-alla-sostenibilita.html )

( http://www.atelierdelriciclo.org/ )