Passeig de Gràcia is a main shopping strip in Barcelona. Photo by Txllxt TxllxT (CC BY SA 4.0).
Fashion blogger Razzy Lee shares with us some of her favorite Barcelona fashion boutiques. From street wear to bridal, the Catalan capital is full of fresh designers and hidden gems!
Barcelona is an infinite dream world when it comes to shopping. The sunny, palm tree-lined streets, warm sea breeze, mountainous surroundings and charming Catalan architecture make for an exceptionally aesthetically pleasing environment. This magical city is bursting with talented artisans, designers, artists and creativity. As you meander around the city, you can see them grafting into the moonlight in their cramped little studios putting their hearts and souls into handcrafted jewels, clothes and accessories. From the winding, narrow, medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter to the fairy-light twinkled streets of El Born and the “boujie” designer avenues of Gràcia, Barcelona is perfect for walking, getting lost and discovering. The city is dotted with independent boutiques and hidden gems where you can shop, stop off for an artisan coffee or indulge in organic wine or traditional tapas.
Photo courtesy of Santa Eulalia Boutique. (CC BY SA 4.0).
1. Santa Eulalia
Among the world’s most prestigious brands on Passeig de Gràcia is the wonderful Santa Eulalia. This luxury men and women's wear boutique was founded in 1843 and has been a significant part of the Catalan high-society fashion history. This beautifully curated boutique features famous designers from across the globe including Zimmerman, Saint Lauren and Burberry as well as fresh new brands in the “pop up” section. I could spend an entire day there prancing up and down its pristine carpets, wearing new season pieces, visiting the in-store tailor, sampling the distinctively rich scents and ending the day with a sunset kir royale on its bistro terrace. Passeig de Gràcia, 93. santaeulalia.com
Photo courtesy of La Comercial (Facebook).
2. La Comercial
Within the cobble-stoned El Born neighborhood, lies the mini La Comercial village of five high-end boutiques of women's wear, men's wear, accessories, jewelry and home goods. La Comercial showcases universal brands, some known and others less, for those who appreciate attention to detail. The owner, Carlos, has been described as “recovering the essence of a boutique store” (Lacomercial.info). From street wear to formal wear, La Comercial impressively combines art, interiors and fashion all into one beautiful corner of the city. Carrer del Rec, 52. lacomercial.info
Photo courtesy of Le Swing (Facebook).
3. Blow by Le Swing Vintage
Blow by Le Swing is a dressing up box of designer and unnamed vintage treasures from the 1920s up until the present day. The elaborate silhouettes, feathers, iridescent sequins and obnoxiously beautiful oversized accessories make you feel like you’re backstage in the dressing room of a golden-age Hollywood starlet of yesteryear. You can only imagine the weird and wonderful parties that these pieces have seen and the stories they could tell. Carrer dels Lledó, 6. leswingvintage.com
Photo courtesy of Tot-Hom (Facebook).
4. Tot-Hom
This year the family-run business is celebrating its 50 year anniversary. I stumbled across the boutique when the stunning window display caught my eye. It was the ready to wear collection that drew me in—only to discover that alterations and bespoke items are on offer as well. Tot-Hom offers collections which are all designed in the in-house atelier: “Line A” is cool and timeless, prêt à porter is elegant and sophisticated, haute couture is like wearable art and the bridal collection is classically romantic. After you ring the buzzer and enter the polished space you are greeted by a magnificent chandelier where garments are hung with pride and adorn the rails. Through the back curtain is the atelier where I noticed rolls and swatches of luxurious fabric and abnormally elegant models being fitted for their fashion show. Carrer de Balmes, 235. tot-hom.com
Photo courtesy of Maria Roch (Facebook).
5. Maria Roch
Born in the heart of Barcelona, Maria Roch has made waves in the Spanish fashion scene since 2008. I instantly fell in love with Maria’s monochromatic, romantic and minimalist designs. Each piece owns a signature drape—telling a story of its own, flowing elegantly as it moves with your body. What is fashion to Maria? “The creation of something special that each one makes it unique. Always pursuing the principle of essentiality and timelessness in garments,” (Mariaroch.com). Carrer de Laforja, 120 and Carrer de Santa Teresa, 3. mariaroch.com
Photo courtesy of Angle (Facebook).
6. Angle Store
Angle is an ethical woman and menswear fashion brand that concentrates on durable, timeless styles and staples that take you from season to season. Again, the Angle collections focus primarily on monochromatic minimalism, however, unlike Maria Roch, there is an emphasis on clean, contemporary lines and items can be worn daily. Carrer dels Mirallers, 10. anglestore.com
Photo courtesy of Coquette (Facebook).
7. Coquette
There is a beautiful contrast in the aesthetics of the Coquette store in El Born. The airy space celebrates its raw features: the naked stone pillars, the cement floor and the untouched metal beams. The pearl chandeliers, velvet armchairs and whimsical florals add the perfect touch of femininity. Much like the juxtaposition of the space, the pieces are a combination of cool street wear and elegant luxury. Isabel Marant Étoile, A.P.C. and Nanushka are all brands stocked by Coquette. Carrer del Bonaire, 5. coquettebcn.com
Photo courtesy of Lurdes Bergadà (Facebook).
8. Lurdes Bergadà
Lurdes Bergadà started her career in fashion design in the 1970s in Barcelona. Her primary aim was to make clothes that she desired and dreamed of wearing herself. Lurdes has a very distinctive style, it exudes a kind of sexy punk rock edge with the dark colors, raw edges, washed denim, exposed zips and layered fabrics. Plaça de Santa Maria, 2 and Rambla de Catalunya, 48. lurdesbergada.es
Photo courtesy of Cortana (Facebook).
9. Cortana
It was the Cortana bridal collection that initially blew me away with the vintage-inspired, Titanic-esque pieces—very reminiscent of Kate Bush or Stevie Nicks. Made with the finest Italian fabrics and handcrafted in Barcelona, Cortana’s exceptionally designed pieces are inspired by art, nature and contemporary dance. The Cortana style is delicate, powerful and sexy all in one—just like the modern woman. These sustainable, slow fashion collections are also inspired by women and their “multiple facets” (Cortana.es) and this celebration of womanhood is documented in an ongoing photography project as seen on the website. Carrer de Provença, 290. cortana.es
Razzy Lee is a cocktail of Scottish, Malaysian and Guyanan origins who loves independent fashion brands, vintage boutiques, antique furniture, art and interiors. Her favorite hobbies include secret beaches and plant-based dinner parties.