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Original designs and cool fashions
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Of all the Spanish cities, Barcelona is the best one for shopping. It offers original design shops like no other city in the country,
with a large number of smart fashion boutiques and increasingly popular
markets such as the architecturally striking
Mercat Santa Caterina.
PASEO DE GRÁCIA is home to all the designer labels and upmarket stores, while the more unusual shops are found in the EL BORN area. Be sure to also pass by LA BOQUERIA, a lively market with stained-glass food stalls under a wrought-iron roof, where you can also have fresh seafood tapas for lunch.
ORIGINAL DESIGNS
Gotham
It's one of the first retro design shops in Spain, and still one of the best. Browse through ceramics, 1950s furniture, lighting, and other items from the mid-20th century, that have either been restored or remain in perfect condition. This is a favorite spot of collectors, artists, and stylists, who also find a large number of reproductions.
Vinçon
Step into the doors of this contemporary design shop and you'll start picturing your home filled with its products. There is another shop in Madrid, and you may also buy your favorite things online, but in Barcelona's space you'll also find an exhibition hall showcasing graphic and industrial design pieces.
COOL FASHIONS
Lobby
If you've been to Paris' Colette, you'll sense this could very well be its cousin, although they're not related. It's simply Barcelona's own eclectic shop for everything cool, from fashion to old vinyl LPs shaped into something else, to other original creations. If you love exclusive pieces at reasonable prices, check this out.
Comité
Fashion by up-and-coming local designers is the specialty at this store with a charming décor of vintage furniture, white curtains and pastel colors. Many of the unique items are recycled materials, meaning that the dress you're looking at could very well have previously been a tablecloth. It's a place filled with imaginative styles, and often hosting cultural events.
Iguapop
The national music label Iguapop promotes contemporary music, and their gallery brings the latest in youth culture and urban brands together. Innovative music, art, and fashion projects are developed here, and you may visit it for the occasional music events, or to buy hard-to-find streetwear and accessories along with many exclusives.
BAD HABITS - C/ de Valencia, 261
Local designer Mireya Ruiz first sold second-hand clothing from elsewhere in Europe, but soon began making her own original creations. Her ultra-modern shop caught the attention of the fashion world, and you'll also now see pieces by other Spanish designers. Most of the collections are edgy and unique, with different textures and a mixture of fabrics.
LOCAL FLAVORS
Xocoa
Its addictive chocolate would be exciting enough to come to this shop, but then the design of the space and products makes it all even better. Dark, milk, and white chocolate mix with some unusual ingredients, from Green Tea to Ginseng, while other unique ideas include chocolate candles and even a music CD for chocolate lovers. The packaging is another attraction (designed by graphic artists), as is the entire store space, featuring a bright décor and clean displays of the colorful packages.
Lavinia
This could very well be the best wine shop in all of Europe. It certainly is Spain's, with a stock of thousands of labels, and a professional staff of expert oenologists. You may come here to buy or if you're an enthusiast, explore wine through the tastings and formal courses available.
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