ANYONE IN FOR PARIS?

Perfect video for a lazy sunday afternoon prior to Valentine’s day, don’t you think? I only could think: I wanna go, I wanna go.

Check out: www.anecdote.nl

LIKE TO HAVE: CLOTHES FROM ALAND SEOUL

I love discovering chains we don’t have in the Netherlands. Like Aland: a store with several outlets in Seoul. They collect nice things from all over the world to create a fantastic collection. I did some online window shopping and these are my favorites:

Dress: 33 euro
Bag from Baggu: 37 euro
Espadrilles: 31 euro

Check out: www.a-land.co.kr

TO GO: THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES ARNHEM

In the Netherlands there’s only one Fashion Academy which delivers names like Viktor & Rolf and Spijkers & Spijkers and that one is located in Arnhem – of all places. Arnhem is a city full of fashion (see stores like Humanoid and Coming Soon) so it isn’t strange at all to host a mayor exhibition of Spijkers & Spijkers. It not only captures all the collections of the sisters, but it also gives you rare behind the scenes information. If you love fashion, you can’t miss it. Till August 21, 2011

Check out: www.mmkarnhem.nl

(Image made by Marc Deurloo)

NEW SPOT: SUKHA AMSTERDAM

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you like concept stores (who doesn’t?)
2. If you like the idea that one family works together to make this shop so fantastic.
3. If you like products from India, Indonesia and Nepal – but also from the Netherlands.

Check out: www.sukha-amsterdam.nl

TO GO: NIJNTJE IN DE MODE UTRECHT

Nijntje, also known as Miffy, is born in Utrecht. There’s a Dick Bruna House dedicated to her and because of their 5th anniversary the Centraal Museum next door is hosting a huge exposition about the sweet comic hero. Several fashion designers like Jan Taminiau and Anrealage (see picture) designed a special dress for Nijntje. And you can see them all till December 31.

Check out: www.centraalmuseum.nl

NEW SPOT: CLOSET ANTWERP

3 reasons to go there:

1. It’s the new concept store in Antwerp
2. If you love young designers – that’s what they sell in the Closet.
3. If you’re shopping at the are called ‘t Zuid.

Check out: www.closet.be

LIKE TO HAVE: ITEMS FROM BIRD NEW YORK

Why you should go to Bird when you’re in New York? Well this store is voted Best Fashion Store in New York several times. The former buyer from Barneys decided to open her own boutique in 1999 in Brooklyn. Now fashionista’s gladly leave their Manhattan island to visit that store (or one of the other two stores) in Brooklyn. The collection is fabulous. She sells items from A.P.C., Acne and Alexander Wang among others.

I did some online window shopping and found my favorites:

Leather espadrilles from 3.1 Phillip Lim: 192 euro
Long skirt from Madewell: 110 euro
Striped shirt from Edith A Miller: 45 euro

Check out: www.shopbird.com

NEW SPOT: L’USINE HO CHI MINH

3 reasons to go there:

1. Every spot with the name Usine is fantastic – as proven by Usine in Eindhoven and this one in Vietnam.
2. If you’re with your man: you want to do some shopping, he can rest in the cafe.
3. To visit their art gallery.

Check out: www.lusinespace.com

NEW SPOT: FREECITY LOS ANGELES

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you like bikes
2. If you love a bit of an eco vibe – locally produced food and organic clothes
3. If you’re in Hollywood and want some place other than Gucci, Prada or Chanel

Check out: www.freecitysupershop.com

(Via Cool Hunting – if you never heard of that site, please click here, because it’s part of your design education)

NEW SPOT: SNICKARBACKEN 7 STOCKHOLM

3 reasons to go there:

1. Look at the little coffee bar. Don’t you just want to start your day here?
2. If you like concept stores with art, furniture, design, fashion and a cafe.
3. The store is located in former stables. Just like Sketch in The Hague.

Check out: www.snickarbacken7.se