Inspiring spaces where fashion, designer furniture, books, art, temporary exhibitions and restaurants mix without established rules in order to sell and entertain.
The presence of concept stores, after what has been experienced in recent months, is possibly now when it makes the most sense. Places that aim to be more than a store, a store. They are spaces that seek to provide a place for the customer to live an experience. And for this, they resort to a hybrid world in which art can be fused with having a coffee, reading a book or trying on a designer garment.
Shopping in a different way. I hope this time of confinement and our gradual adaptation to the new normality will help us to learn positive lessons, such as enjoying the time, the calm, not always going at a fast pace. A sensation that due to its positive and pleasurable effects can even be addictive. Does anyone want to experience it? Well, Horse Magazine has prepared this selection of the most attractive concept stores in Spain:
Darial, Barcelona’s fashion concept store
Le Leopard at Darial. © Darial
Last fall, Darial opened its doors in a historic building in Barcelona’s Ausiás Marc street. The history of the building has impregnated the place with elegance, in whose decoration the classic and the avant-garde go hand in hand. All this to create an ideal atmosphere to enjoy fashion, art and even design books. This establishment can currently serve us by appointment, while the attached brasserie restaurant: Le Leopard, which is already open to the public.
C/ Ausias Marc, 37 on the first floor of Casa Tomàs Roger.
Santa Eulalia, over Paseo de Gracia
Santa Eulalia. © Santa Eulalia
We have not yet left the Catalan capital, and now we go to one of its commercial arteries par excellence. To Paseo de Gracia. There is Santa Eulalia with a vast catalog of fashionable clothing for men and women. Although not only clothing, all kinds of accessories, bags, perfumes, eyewear, footwear … After all Santa Eulalia is a luxury multi-brand store created decades ago. But with the spirit of the best concept store to its offer has incorporated a garden and a great terrace over this vibrant area of Barcelona.
C. Passeig de Gracia, 93
Isolée beauty concept, in the most exclusive area of Madrid
Isolée. © Isolée
The Salamanca neighborhood in Madrid is the commercial equivalent of Barcelona’s Gracia area. Well, there could not be a more appropriate place for Isolée, an establishment located in the exclusive Claudio Coello street. What does this concept store offer us? In addition to distributing countless international brands of perfumery, fashion, lifestyle or cosmetics, it also offers its experience with its consulting service in the fashion sector. And it is something to take into account, valuing its success, since Isolée has other locations, for example in Burgos.
C/ Infantas, 19
Poppyns Life Store, an oasis in downtown Valencia
Poppyns Store. © Poppyns
It’s not only in the country’s two big cities that there are attractive concept stores. In Valencia, there is a space with shopping areas, coworking, cafeteria, exhibition and conference area is called Poppyns.
If you live in the capital ché or you are passing through, our advice is to enter this multidisciplinary space without haste. A large catalog of multi-brand clothing for men and women, accessories, cosmetics, as well as its home decor section awaits you. And to regain strength or decide on one purchase or another, it is possible to have a snack in the café.
Carrer d’Isabel la Catòlica, 21
Ekseption
Ekseption. © Ekseption
Ekseption or EKS has become part of the luxury scene in Madrid’s Golden Mile. Specifically in Velázquez Street. A space of 500 m2 to pass and try on exclusive designs of brands as renowned as Balenciaga, YSL or Stella McCartney, among others. Clothing, accessories, footwear, accessories, cosmetics … all imbued with the most exclusive spirit of the current image, something that continues on the shelves where you can consult and buy the latest publications.
Calle de Velázquez, 28
Sea of Cava, furniture, lights and action
Mar de Cava. © Mar de Cava
The different concept stores mentioned so far have a prominent fashion section, undoubtedly each with its own striking personality. Well, Mar de Cava reinforces it even more from July with the opening of its new headquarters in Bisbi Sivilla street, in the Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona. From this new space they will continue to design for other commercial establishments, as well as homes. In short, here we can expect interesting proposals for furniture, household goods, lighting, textiles, and even unique artistic decoration. As unique are the personalized projects developed in Mar de Cava.
Carrer del Bisbe Sivilla, 9
La Fábrica, a concept store of ideas and projects
Exhibitions at La Fábrica. ©La Fábrica
We finish this list of the most attractive concept stores in Spain with a proposal radically different from the above. We refer to La Fábrica, on Alameda street in Madrid. A space that is a store, an art gallery and a cafe. Not only can you have a drink or consult art and photography books that are real gems. In addition, La Fábrica, living up to its name, is a real factory of ideas and projects. Here begin to generate exhibitions, festivals, magazines, publications … This concept store of culture is the best example that culture moves the world.
9 Alameda Street
