Le Labo in Berlin

October 12, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

The leathery scent of Santal 33 is like a drug. Bitter sweetness of Bergamote 22 is a sensual refreshment. Neroli 36 feels like liquid memoir of an Italian summer. I’m speaking of Le Labo, a brand that’s not just about (already) desirable branding, but powerful fragrances. Heralded as one of the best niche fragrances brands in the world, Le Labo boasts a core selection of unique fragrances and exclusive scents available in nine cities. Their newly opened store in Berlin‘s Mitte district is as delightful as the products available there. Those old tiles on the walls, heavy wooden counters, vintage sofas… honestly, wouldn’t mind staying here for much longer.

Alte Schönhauser Str. 26 / Berlin

Photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Manolo and Vetements

April 13, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Shopping for labels, shopping for love
Manolo and ~~Louis~~ Vetements, it’s all I’m thinking of.

Vetements X Manolo Blahnik, seen at The Store in Berlin.

Marubi Ramen in Berlin

April 12, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

First of all, I have never been to Japan, so I don’t know how the real, real ramen soup tastes. I’ve watched The Ramen Girl (a sophisticated comedy about a woman searching for direction in her life through training to be a ramen chef under a tyrannical ramen master, mind you) and I realise that Europeans have a very wide and imaginative view on ramen’s taste. But I think that Berlin’s Marubi is a spot, where the authentic ramen might be served. Prepared in four ways (beef, pork, shrimp or vegetarian), their warm bowl of Japanese goodness tastes simply delicious. Located in Mitte, the place seems to be out of the local fuss – no fancy interior, no big media appearance. Just ramen. And a equally great selection of dim-sum and gyoza dumplings.

SONY DSC

New Year’s Berliner

January 3, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

We are three days into 2017 and it feels like a perfect time for sharing New Year’s resolutions. But this blog isn’t about everyday tips for existence, so I honestly don’t want to write about the unreal new me. I guess reading about losing weight and taking self-care moments is inspirational only during those first free (okay, four) days of the year, so I think additional trashing of the internet with this type of vagueness is a waste of time. I’m entering 2017 with hopes, and I hope this year won’t be so turbulent as the last one – both on global scale and in my personal life. But 2017 is also the year of the rooster: so we should all expect big changes coming, for good and bad.

Right, I’m stopping here with all this reflectiveness. I’ve spent my New Year’s Eve in one of the most beautiful (in every meaning of this word) cities in the entire world – Berlin. Although nearly everything was closed and I just had to spend those few hours on wireless spa lounging, I’ve checked out a few of my Berliner favourites. The Store, which sells everything from Vetements to vintage Interview magazines, always strikes me with its incredible retail concept. For lunch, I tried out the neighboring Cecconi’s: an Italian restaurant kept in a typically ‘SoHO’ style interior. A lot of big-city fuss, dozens of stylish people, yet the food seemed plain (I ate their classical pizza, and beef carpaccio, which had far too much of mayonnaise on it). The next day took me to Qua Phe, a Mitte district mecca. I was 100% sure I won’t be dissapointed. Delicious pork buns, spicy salad, traditional Vietnamese coffee and ginger mochi. I can brunch here literally everyday.

The Store – Torstraße 1 / Cecconi’s – Torstraße 1 / Qua Phe – Max-Bee-Straße 37

The Store

In Mitte

Patrick Hellmann Schlosshotel

Qua Phe

All photos by Edward Kanarecki

October in Berlin

October 17, 2016October 17, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

How I love Berlin. Walking the streets of Mitte. Indulging myself in Vetements and Dries Van Noten. Eating in new spots (stay in tune – posts about Berlin’s restaurants are on their way – some will be here, and some on ustamagazyn.pl!) and experiencing street art. If you’re planning to visit the German capital this October, no second thought is needed – the city looks even more beautiful under the foliage of autumn leaves. So, what are you waiting for?

Off to A.P.C. of course!

Vivienne Westwood boutique.

MITTE DISTRICT – In fact, you don’t need a specific destination, when in Mitte. Start walking from the surrounded by parks Weinbergsweg street, and end your trip on Alte Schönhauser to immerse yourself at local boutiques and patisseries. I’m quite sure you won’t stop taking pictures of everything you see throughout your Mitte stroll.

Comme Des Garçons AW16 exhibition.

Balenciaga by Demna Gvasalia.

Vetements.

The Row.

THE STORE – An ever-changing space created to inspire, create, work and enjoy – and most of all, to shake-up the stereotype of how a fashion retail place should look like. Located in the über-cool Soho Haus Berlin hotel, The Store makes you feel like at home, with its beautifully curated furniture (from chic Pierre Jeanneret seats to Mathieu Matégot heart shaped-patio set) and a connoisseur-level book selection, coming straight from London’s cult Idea Books. Moreover, The Store is Berlin‘s hottest fashion destination right now, with heaving hangers of Vetements, The Row and Loewe. The shelf with classic vinyls and a lovely corner with freshly-cut flowers is at the entrance, while the bar, which serves organic salads and other seasonal goods, will keep you here for a longer time… so just sit on one of the velvet armchairs, take a sip of your coffee and try on these Vetements boots with a cigarette-lighter heel!

Torstraße 1

Size matters. Sofa by Kvadrat X Raf Simons.

Céline!

Oh, Byredo. Favourite scents.

ANDREAS MURKUDIS – When looking for Andreas Murkudis’ boutique in Potsdammer Straße, one might wonder if this is the right address. Especially after 6 PM, when the local casinos become crowded, the lines for currywurst become longer and certain ladies in boots start taking action. But the GPS tells me where to turn and suddenly in the middle of a gloomy courtyard emerges the kingdom of Berlin fashion. Andreas – the owner of the place – has a many-years’ experience in the fashion industry and he is well aware what he likes. In his boutique we will find his favourite brands and the brands he is friends with. He doesn’t follow the trends. He selects exceptional clothes and accessories from Dries Van Noten, Céline or Maison Margiela, which are almost impossible to get in other shops. Apart from the fashion, the versatile offer of his boutique includes porcelain works of art from the Nymphenburg manufacture, Mykita glasses and unique furniture by German designers. But this is just a fraction of the Murkudis’ secrets. If you are still unsure about visiting the place – few months ago a cosmic boutique of Acne Studios opened nearby. This company then speaks for itself. (Initially posted by me here)

Potsdammer Straße 81E