Ganni in Copenhagen

October 18, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

The mecca of Copenhagen’s fashion, Ganni, in brick-and-mortar format. Although I’m not the ultimate fan of the brand, its impressive what Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrup achieved throughout the years. The label – known for floral dresses, chunky boots and big knits in relatively affordable prices – is not just internationally recognised, but beloved by women of different walks of life. The Copenhagen store, filled with Ana Kraš’ visuals, hand-picked vintage furniture and pastel tones, serves as a well-coordinated space that presents the brand’s new arrivals (note the beaded bucket bags and the denim capsule line!).

Store Regnegade 12 / Copenhagen

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Lot #29

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Lot #29 will definitely please those, who seek a truly unique selection of brands, and want to spend time in an equally eclectic interior. A very personal choice of labels – Cecilie Bahnsen, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Erdem – hangs on the racks, accompanied by refined leather goods and gorgeous jewellery (Tohum and lots of chic hair clips). Basically everything you lay your eyes in here is beautifully crafted, with heart. Lot #29 curates and sells special, tactile, functional and classic add-ons, which you won’t find in other multi brand boutiques (that sadly order the same stuff from the same labels). The place opened back in 2003, but it feels… ageless. Also, note the antique furniture and the old-fashioned cabinet that showcases the shiny goodies. Although it’s a store, it feels like at home.

Gothersgade 29 / Copenhagen

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Copenhagen

October 16, 2018October 16, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Before an actual trip to Copenhagen, I thought of this place in terms of an Instagram filter: one, everything’s extremely minimal, two, people are obsessed with Ganni. The first is a complete myth, the latter is a fact. The city itself stuns with gorgeous, classical architecture (see the Amalienborg, the palace of Danish Royal family) and a widespread fascination with Ancient sculpture – boutique and restaurant interiors clearly suggest that, while the permanent exhibition at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum (more about this incredible place soon) seems to be the main source of inspiration. So, the stereotypical, Scandinavian minimalism is only present in the newer architecture that can be spotted a few steps away from the city centre. Other than that, Copenhagen is full of roses (they grow in front of townhouses). Vintage is respected and cherished, as you can easily see lots and lots of old Danish porcelain standing in the window sills or sold in trendy concept stores. People here love a good matcha and fresh pastry (check Atelier September for that). And, yes – the locals dress insanely good, not just during Copenhagen fashion week. Their style is extremely distinct – it’s nothing like the ‘Parisian chic’ or ‘Berlin cool’. It’s about colour, polish, tactility, so many things simultaneously. I think that’s true eclecticism. Also, another observation: women from Copenhagen love their hometown brands. I was surprised to see so many faux fur Saks Potts coats and Ganni knits strolling down the postcard-ish Nyhavn street, worn so… naturally! The only thing that slightly terrified me was the number of stores selling hair clips. You know, the most kitschy ones, with rhinestones and all… at first I was repelled. But then, a Copenhagen person knows how to pull off one of those and look good. That’s an art.

More posts on my favourite addresses in Copenhagen coming up very soon!

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.

Knokke’s Addresses

August 30, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Well, Belgium might not be the first place you think of in terms of typically ‘summer’ holidays. But, to a surprise of many, it’s possible to lie for hours near the North Sea and get that vitamin D. And guess what – if you’re lucky with the weather, your tan will be as good as in Italy. So, where to spend a lazy, August day? Definitely in Knokke, which is often referred to as Belgium’s top resort spot. But no worries, there are no crowds of tourists and no madness going on down the beach. Just plenty of lovely beach clubs, pattiseries with Belgian chocolates and very, very chic boutiques that are worth visiting after you’ve read your book, swam in the shockingly warm sea and finally charged your batteries.

La Vie En Rose

This is a small store located just a few feet from the ‘main’ street of Knokke. A refined selection of Marni, Chloé and Dries Van Noten, combined with the rather artisanal, niche labels like Sofie D’Hoore and Tak Ori. It’s hard to call La Vie En Rose a ‘multibrand’, because of its… coziness.

Golvenstraat 13

Blue Princess

The two-floor store surprises with labels that you don’t really expect to see in resort towns like Knokke. Maryam Nazzir Zadeh? Checked. Ganni? Checked. Stand? Checked.

Kustlaan 72

Geoffroy Van Hulle

The first thought when you enter this breathing treasure chest? GORGEOUS. Antique statues; tribal masks from Africa; museum taxidermy; vintage coffee-table books. The list of (very, very pricey) paraphernalia available at Van Hulle’s boutiques is endless. You can’t leave this place without a La Mamounia scent, a perfume brand coming straight from Morocco.

Noordstraat 143

A few more addresses from Knokke are added to the newly updated ‘Places‘ page. Click, click!

Antwerp’s Addresses

August 29, 2018August 28, 2018 | Design & Culture by Ed

Firstly, I adore Antwerp for its fashion heritage, which consists of Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester and many other creators whose style and idiosyncratic aesthetics continue to contribute to contemporary fashion. That aura is incredible, and it’s perceivable that the locals celebrate their home designers. But my great love for this Belgian city is as well based on the local stores and boutiques, which always surprise me with their selection of brands and items they sell. These shop-keepers are truly passionate about their work! Been to Antwerp exactly last year, and I was more than happy to re-visit all my favourite addresses this time and see how they progress. And found some new ones as well. I must admit that it would be great to discover more of the city’s ‘cultural’ part. Sadly, the two major museums of Antwerp – The Royal Museum of Fine Arts and MoMu – are temporarily closed for renovation. Who knows, maybe next year?

But for now, scroll down to explore my beloved spots in this forever intriguing city.

Ann Demeulemeester

Entering Ann Demeulemeester‘s spacious store is like approaching the church alter. The Belgian fashion designer’s dark romance oozes from the lace vests, velvet shirts and Victorian frocks with absorbing power, while the multi-storey boutique has a sacred charm about it. The white-wall backdrop makes you look at the details of the clothes with great scrutiny, quite breathless. Ann’s fashion used to be pure poetry with a Flemish twist, and fortunately, Sebastian Meunièr, the current creative director, successfully conveys the Demeulemeester codes in his women’s and men’s collections. And with the help of the Antwerp flagship store – which also holds the studio and atelier – Ann Demeulmeester appears to be one of the finest of Belgian fashion.

Leopold de Waelplaats

Coffee & Vinyl

Love coffee as much as good music? There’s no better place in Antwerp, then. Browse the vast collection of vinyls, from rare Serge Gainsbourg records to Portishead’s albums, while taking a sip of the delightful espresso. For those who love vinyls, but are too audio, there’s an equally impressive selection of CDs.

Volkstraat 45

Atelier D’Anvers

Just a stone throw from the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Atelier D’Anvers is a cozy space with a relatively affordable, very well-curated brands. Bags by Jerome Dreyfuss and Sicilian scents by Ortigia are a chic addition to the silk floral dresses, shearling coats and corduroy trousers you will definitely find here.

Volkstraat 54

Enes

A multibrand concept store with a wide range of labels: Joseph, Baum Und Pferdgarten, Vince, Frame, Morobé, J Brand, MSGM… If you’re not really into the clothes Enes sells, the interior will surely surprise. The first floor, filled with plants, little sofas and cushions, has a beautiful outdoor patio, while the second floor has those dramatic hand-carved, wooden walls.

Volkstraat 58

Charlie’s

A quite new breakfast, brunch and coffee spot that feels like a spacious apartment located in a townhouse. Everyday there’s a new specialty menu. That day they served a toast with avocado and crab, which was a literal taste heaven. Classics, like matcha and salad bowls, are always here.

Volkstraat 66

Dries Van Noten

The mecca. The building, in which you see the Van Noten boutique, is fully owned by the designer and is gracefully called Het Modepalais (‘fashion palace’). The name might sound quite over-the-top, but the store is far from that term. It’s like Dries’ fashion – refined, but with an edge. The store feels like an apartment that is temporarily ‘furnished’ with the designer’s gorgeous clothes and accessories from the autumn-winter 2018 collection. Fresh flower bouquets make this place even more like at home.

Nationalestraat 16

A.F. Vandevorst

A.F. Vandevorst‘s store is small, but dynamic. The brand is known for their off-kilter, punky attitude. You better get your hands on those signature, pointy-toe boots – they sell out quickly. I noticed that the boutique sells less clothes than it did last year – quite possibly this Belgian label decided to focus more on leather goods, while keep the ready-to-wear on a bespoke, couture level.

Lombardenvest 20

Graanmarkt 13

I know and admire Graanmarkt 13 for years. At the end of a small old square, there it is: a large space called just like its address. Designed by Vincent Van Buysen, filled with natural light and eclectic furniture, we’ve got the most charming place in the whole Antwerp. The store lately had a transition moment, when they switched from big brands like Marni and Isabel Marant into timeless and more niche ones: Lemaire, Kassl, Salle Privee, Simon Miller or Sofie D’hoor to name a few. The aim was to stop being a victim of fashion industry’s pace of endless trends and collections, and to stay true to personal style and love for quality. While the store itself is already a fantastic place in its concept, Graanmarkt 13 also has an already renowned restaurant serving organic food (downstairs), a footwear and perfume spot (first floor) and a far-fetched apartment for rent (top floor).

Graanmarkt 13

All photos by Edward Kanarecki.