My last afternoon in Stockholm was spent doing a retail detail, exploring the streets, shops and cafes for all things color.
I set out past the Armemuseum where a parade of horses were being shown in full military regalia in the front courtyard. Of course I stopped here to take pictures! Across the street was the Musikmeet, and at the end of the street was the Dramatiska Theater. These landmarks made it easy to follow the breadcrumbs back to my neighborhood later.
If anyone wants a serious fashion experience outside the biggest style capitals of the world—I invite them to take on Stockholm. The downtown is a fashion bonanza so make sure your credit cards are freshly primed!
Interior architecture at Sturegallerian
On foot I went north on Jarlsgatan to the famed Sturegallerian. This is considered one of the liveliest fashion places in Stockholm. Fashion, food, literary delights can all be found here. It is an excellent meeting place to begin or wind down the day. The list of shops at Sturegallerian is endless– the famed cosmetics store Face Stockholm is here, as well as Bjorn Borg’s sport shop, and CC Skor shoes and sandals. Kriss is a store of classic clothing fashioned in Sweden, while Boutique Monroe offers French fashions for discerning women of style. Saker Och Ting is no ordinary vintage boutique, and the Ajas Shop is full of clothes for glamorous sin! There was something to capture the eye and imagination at every turn. You couldn’t have imagined a more well-planned shop-till-you-drop venue anywhere else in the world.
Muted mid-tone colors for homeware at Duka
A hike west on Kungsgatan puts you in Norrmalm. Here you will find the PUB shopping center, with more terrific stores and an extraordinary lighting design by Kai Piippo on the ceiling of the main hall.
A walk south on the Drotininggatan will take you past many shops, boutiques and cafes. I was especially impressed with the merchandising in Indska, a store that features styles with a distinctively Indian feel. Embroidered textures, bold colors, lots of sheen and chunky knitted scarves for fall. Colors in the window were magenta, orange and ivory. I was especially intrigued with a collection of clothes showing dark reddish brown stretch pants, and muted mustard tops in plaid or solid colors. The yellow had shifted more towards green than to gold. This was interesting to me because the gold had definitely departed from the orange hue family. Paired beside this collection were tops in a forest green, a bright peacock, a washed out blue-gray, and ivory. It was a very muted collection on the whole, but appropriate for the upcoming Fall season. Still seeing olive green, turquoise and black being used.
The bright colors of the Lagerhuas (www.lagerhaus.se) window display enticed me inside. Part office supply, part party supply, part decorative accessory, this shop felt a bit to me like a condensed Ikea. The merchandising in the soft goods department was terrific. I bought a sample pillow case featuring a sky blue, red, black and white floral print.
Crossing over the bridge at Riksgatan, I took some excellent shots of the downtown on the waterfront, just before sunset. This brought me into Gamla Stan, where I wandered (lost) for nearly two hours in the kitschy souvenier shops surrounding the royal palace. I did get some terrific pictures in the cosy milieu of the narrow passages, charming squares and tiny side street shops that felt as ancient as the antique wares they often displayed!
The hotel where I stayed was the Clarion Collection Hotel Wellington at Storgatan 6, 114 51 Stockholm. Telephone: +46 (8) 667 09 10. Website: www.wellington.se. It is a boutique hotel located in the Ostermalm district. Each floor is appointed with the color scheme of a different Scottish clan and tartan. Mine was the MacLeod floor, and my room was themed in dark green and a warm golden tan. The view was a wonderful panorama of the rooftops of Stockholm.
