NEW CONCEPTS
What better way to start a new life together than with a fresh concept. Walk into a concept store and you enter into a world filled with just about everything you need for that particular lifestyle, that incredible look. From gadgets and technology to art and fashion, concept boutiques are made to be perused with discernment and care, the antithesis of online shopping. It is an "experience" with option to buy. With expert advice and beautifully crafted items, you can get what you really want for your new lifestyle for two.
COLETTE 213 rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France
The fashion world collides chez Colette every season in Paris. Most come to get their seasonal inspiration and do a little shopping therapy between the shows. The premier concept store, Colette has the hippest collection of fashion, art, books, electronics and bottled water on the planet. Find art pieces like Ryan McGinness' Arktip No. 0048 (above) online or in the bookshop. Wedding list service available in the store.
MOSS 150 Greene Street, New York
8444 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles
Murray Moss's Soho shrine to cutting-edge design and vintage works. The Favela chair (left) by Fernando and Humberto Campana is a unique piece made from Brazilian Pinus and pieced together by hand. Wedding registry available online. Moss Beverly Hills store is now open.
10 CORSO COMO Corso Como no. 10, Milan, Italy
Finally... Corso Como has a website with the beginnings of an online shop! Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia Carla Sozzani opened this casbah of culture 18 years ago and promotes the concept of "slow shopping," the antithesis of ecommerce. "Promenade through art, design and fashion in a single space," they state. With a great bookstore, art gallery, cafe, awesome fashion and oggetti d'arte, there is no rush to get through la Sozzani's handpicked collection from around the world. And it beats trying to shop online. In-store wedding list services are available. New concept stores opened in Seoul and Tokyo (in collaboration with Comme des Garçons).
LUISA VIA ROMA Via Roma 19/21r, Florence, Italy
Luisa Via Roma is one of the first concept stores in the world. Always on the cutting-edge, Luisa has a unique collection of designer fashions as well as great gifts and accessories, such as the Tokyoflash Barcode watch (left), with more home products available in the flagship store. With a decent ecommerce site, you can shop for the season's hottest men's and women's collections online. Better still, pop into the store for a gander and you'll find exclusive items only available da Luisa.
JOYCE 16 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong
The mother of all concept stores was founded by Joyce Ma in 1976. Fashion-oriented like most concept stores, Joyce is now undergoing a facelift with their new president and concept guru Andrew Keith. Andrew already took the dowdy, tai-tai Lane Crawford department store and turned it into a hip, mega-concept store. Keep an eye out for innovative new developments in Hong Kong.
LEKKER 1317 Washington, Boston, Massachusetts
The Lekker concept store and its easy-on-the-eyes website features Chimo’s green-burning, exquisitely designed fireplace and a gorgeous selection of home accessories. On-line gift registry.