Shop until you drop...
One thing that I really love about Stockholm is the different residential areas. Vasastan, Kungsholmen, Östermalm and Södermalm has its own caracter. The monthly glossy magazine ICity have done excellent guides to the different areas - they are in swedish but the guides give you a great selection anyway.
Vasastan-guide takes you to the great shopping around Rörstrandsgatan
Kungsholmen -guide to known and unknown places
Old Town - takes you where tourists normally don't go
Södermalm - a great overview
City - Oldies and goldies
Nisch shopping - in creative city
What does this have in common: A shop named KattKatt (cat cat)dedicated all to cats, a ribbonshop with all ribons you can think of from simple ones to advanced named Folckers ribbonmakers, Bågar och Pilar (bows and arrows) for bows and arrows and Svarta Katten (black cat) that rents out outfits for lives and theatres. They are all in Stockholm. The ideas came from Arlanda Express Magasine.
Vällingby reclaims headlines again
Photo: Gert Wingårdh/Vällingby Centrum
Vällingby Centrum made the headlines all over the world when it opened in 1954, because it was built as a complete sk ABC-city in the suburbs including A) Workplace (Arbetsplatser), B) Housing (Bostäder) and C) Center (Centrum). Vällingby stood as a model for future city planning.
This week Vällingby ones again will reclaim the headlines with bold architecture and bold ideas for the suburb, when Vällingby Centrum, opens their facelifted area. The new Kfem-building, a new departmentstore entirely with fashion, designed by renowned swedish architect Gert Wingårdh, includes some "30 brands that you just would find in the city centre of Stockholm". In the new Vällingby Centrum the price awarded 50's architecture will live on with the new modern ones.
Late night shopping tuesday and thursday
Dont miss out on the late night shopping during the Last Tuesday respective Thursday every month.
Tuesday March the 25th its "Late Tuesday" on Rörstrandsgatan etc in Birkastan. The following shops are open until 21: Plezuro, Sally och Sara, Lolodi, Standard, Hudrum, Boutique Sunnanskog, MADE BY, Till bords,
Stil, Sessa, Rara ärtor, PLAGG, People like us, Oscar Lindberg trikåvaror, Milla Milano, Louise´s symaskinshörna,
La riggiola, Kulagården, Hallmans skomakeri, Fler bollar i luften, Design Helena Berggren, Camilla Norrback,
Blå Hästen, Birka Gott, Kaffecompaniet, Salong Lagerqvist, Davidssons Pilates
Englanejd.
Thursday March the 27th its "SoFo night" in SoFo on Södermalm.
Stockholm - The Shopping Capital of Scandinavia?
The Stockholm suburb Solna Center, where the new national arena will be built, will also host Scandinavias largest shoppingmall. 230 shops on 100 000 square meters will be built. Solna is a popular residential area in Stockholm. I will write more about the whole Arena City area tomorrow afternoon...
Late night shopping this week
Photo: Sofo/Birkastan
Dont miss out on the late night shopping during the Last Tuesday respective Thursday every month.
Tuesday February the 26th its "Late Tuesday" on Rörstrandsgatan etc in Birkastan. 52 shops open until 21.
Thursday February the 28th its "SoFo night" in SoFo on Södermalm.
Dragon turns into a shopping mall
The former cinema Draken (dragon) at Fridhemsplan on Kungsholmen will turn into a smaller shopping mall. According to Vårt Kungsholmen
Best places to buy handicraft
Photo: Iris Hantverk/Skansen
I have noticed that Im interested in traditional swedish handicraft. I believe its a longing for the things that lasts and a side effect of the ecotrend at the moment. I want things around me, that are made to last for a lifetime. Here are my nine favorite shops for that lifelong love - and a nice design as well.
1) Iris Hantverk - Iris hantverk is owned by the impaired vision organisation and sells brushes and nice handicraft in their store on Kungsgatan 55, City/ Götgatan 37, Södermalm/ Västerlånggatan 24, Old Town.
2) Svensk Slöjd - WoodwoNybrogatan 23, Östermalm
3) Svensk Hemslöjd, Sveavägen 44, City
4) Sally Ann - Salvation Army owned store with Fair Trade made things for your home. Situated in PUB.03, Hötorget,City/Nytorgsgatan 27, Södermalm.
5) Nordiska Museet Shop - The nordic museum sells traditional handicraft and books on Djurgårdsvägen 6-16, Djurgården.
6) Skansen it self is a great place for shopping traditional handicraft, but if you just want to shop you can visit the Skansenshop just outside the entrance. Inside skansen you can visit the Glassworks, The Pottery, The old Grocery shop, The Coop-shop, The ironware shop, the Lodge and the Seasons shop. At Skansen Byggnadsvård you can also buy traditional Falu-red colour for houses.
7) Kulturhantverkarna - selling only linseed oil based colours and Falu red colour. situated in a small yellow building from 1740 on Norra Stationsgatan 40 A. (homepage only in swedish)
8) Embroidery shop, Drottninggatan 100, City.
9) Handkraft Swea, products of swedish designers. Västerlånggatan 24, Old Town
Future luxury shopping in Gallerian
Experience a futuristic concept store in the Gallerian shopping mall between 5-14 February. Thirteen students from University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm (Konstfack) have interpreted Luxury shopping theme.
See the fashion shows on the webb
Photo: BSmart/Berns
First day of the Stockholm Fashion Week is over. Judging from the applauds, the Sandra Backlund show was the most interesting. If you missed the fashion shows you can see them all on the webb at sweden.se or at BonMagazine. Images from the fashionshows are available at SthlmFashionweek at Berns
Fashionweek is finally here!
Photo: + 46 fashion
The programme for Stockholm Fashion Week presents fashion designer shows and activities that focus on the latest for the Autumn/winter 2008/2009, all around the city. Most activities are for invited only, but "Crack the fashion nut" exhibition by master students in the field is open to the public. Here are the main activities:
- Some of the main Swedish brands, such as Acne, Sandra Backlund, Carin Wester, Rodebjer, Dagmar, Hope ect will shows at the beautiful Berns under the name Fashiondays at Berns. Filippa K will show at the Royal Opera and Whyred at Brändström & Stene at the gallery house Hudiksvallsgatan 6.
- +46 Fashion event is a unique platform for progressive fashion in Sweden and takes place at Allmänna Galleriet 925 and
- Rookies & Players Fair to promote young fashiondesigners at Scandic Hotel Anglais
SoFo atmosphere north of Folkungagatan
Photo: Sofo
Visited SoFo last weekend to get updated on the area. Though SoFo stands for the streets south of Folkungagatan (hence SoFo) and east of Götgatan on Södermalm, the SoFo atmosphere is found from Götgatan by Slussen and North of Folkungagatan as well. The district is one of the capital's trendiest, you will find a huge selection of stores and cafés, each with its own individual style. Three words best describe SoFo's atmosphere: young, hip, and laid-back. The great artbook bookshop Konst-ig has moved to SoFo but you will also find clothes at King Lily, ecological foodstore Aubergine, trendy indian restaurant Shanti, clothes at Warderobe, 76 Vintage & Denim, a new interior design store Kent Design Store, artgallery Art Concept Store and my own favorite jewellery David&Martin.
Tuesdays night shopping in Birkastan
I just love the SoFo nights on Södermalm last thursdays every month, when all the small shops are open until 21 and there is a special atmosphere. No rush, no stress just taking my time to enjoy. I have longed for a similar initiative in forexample Birkastan/Vasastan. Prayers have been answered.
Johanna at Plezuro has taken the initiative to "Tuesday-Night-Open" in Birkastan on the last tuesday every month until 21 o clock. Epicentre of Birkastan is Rörstrandsgatan. Don't miss the first Tuesday night: January 29 and then February 26, March 25, April 29, May 27 and June 24th.
St Paulsgatan an unknown pearl on Södermalm
Photo: Allt om Stockholm/Aftonbladet
St Paulsgatan, the crossway to Götgatan at Slussen, is one of my favoriite Södermalm shopping strolls. One of the main reasons is Mikaela Willers ceramics (nr 3), nice clothes and interior stuff from Pretty Jo (nr15), Unique cartoon prints at Seriegalleriet (nr 14) a great cup of espresso at Tvålpalatset Espresso (29), Blooms Bakery (nr 24) and David Design (nr 27).
K.U.S clothes (nr 1), Worldmusic and café Multikulti (nr 3b), Hello Kitty stuff at Dona´s (nr 3a), Platanos Grocerystore (nr 17) and the old papershop St Pauls bok och pappershandel (nr 24) are also really cool places.
Easier to shop at Hornstull
Photo: Iglo
Smaller shops in the Hornstullarea have started a homepage in order to promote the area and the individual boutiques. Well Im not very impressed by it yet, but its a good start. My own personal favorite café - the lightcafé Iglo and the cool Street market is not included, yet.
Christmas is moving closer, so I will take a blog-break and return on Jan 7. Well I might get lots and lots of inspiration during christmas and blog a lot...
New version of a Christmasmarket
Photo: Plezuro
A new place to meet, a center for creativity for the city audience. Here you will find the local cheese specialist, textiles design, photo exhibitions, cool music from all parts of the world. All of this in a city in the city, down the stairs from Odengatan/St Eriksplan. Visit the Christmas market on Atlasmuren 22, on December 20-23 between 12-19 o clock.
Best vintage shopping in the City
Photo: ICity, Skatboet
Where are the best vintage shops in Stockholm? Judiths second hand on Södermalm is the most wellknowned one and a shop most Stockholmers find their way to. But what other alternatives do Stockholm have. Im not much of a vintage shopper so here are ICITYMagazines favorites:
Herr Judit, Hornsgatan 75, Södermalm (Vintage clothes and accesoirs for men)
Le Shop vintage, PUB 03, Hötorget, City (Hand picked vintage clothes from 70's and 80's and fashion classics from Dior, Lacroix etc)
Mint & Vintage, Sankt Eriksgatan 48, Vasastan - first yard building on right hand. (Girly, flirty, ruff and rocky vintage and swedish)
Skatboet, Katarina bangata 28, Södermalm. (goth and new romantic style)
Niniette, Nybrogatan 63, Östermalm (Luxury secondhand)
Birkastan the new SoFo
Photo: Made By
52 shops in the Birkastan area at Vasastan (Norrbackagatan, Rörstrandsgatan och S:t Eriksgatan) are cooperating in order to turn the area to a natural place for shopping, eating and drinking according to Vi i Vasastan. This is a welcommed initiative since the area is an upcomming place for trends and shopping. I just recently wrote about it here. First thing on the agenda is a open shop night on thursday the 6th of December. When shops will be opened until 21.00 and filled with discounts and activities. Initiators are Plezuro, People like us and Made by.
New life at Sergels Torg square
Photo: Svenska Dagbladet
Stockholms modern city centre is undergoing a change from grey and dark to warm and friendly. The Sergels Torg square called "Plattan" will become an indoor strolling area in December 2009, according to SVD. The whole roofed area will become an indoor strolling and shopping area and a restaurant will open under the fountain, where Kapp-Ahl store is situated.
Christmas feeling in Stockholm
Photo: Stockholm Visitors Board
Stockholm is lovely at the moment. No snow yet, but the streets and the stores are filled with christmas spirit and the swedish homes are filled with candles and the smell of ginger cookies, glögg and saffron buns. Christmas markets fall into the must do category during christmas, enjoy a classical traditional christmas market at Skansen or Gamla Stan or an undtraditional one at the Arts colleges in Stockholm. Check out some of my favorites at Stockholmtown.com
