An insider’s guide to Stockholm’s hotspots of fashion and design
Palmgrens for bags, Rodebjer for elegant apparel, Jackson’s for furniture ... and that’s just the shopping. Here’s everything the fashionable visitor needs to know for a Stockholm stopover
Swedes are a proud people. They are proud of their country, their exports, flat-packed furniture and super-safe cars. They would never admit it, though, because that just wouldn’t be Swedish. The capital Stockholm is a stealthy powerhouse of forward-thinking fashion and world-conquering music, universally touted as the flag bearer of ultimate cool and consistently ranked as one of the three most liveable countries on earth. As a Stockholm native, may I introduce you to the most stylish spots in the city for that unforgettable stopover.
WHERE TO SHOP
Palmgrens
There’s a place, unbeknown to most, that has been quietly plying its trade for more than 120 years. On a busy side street in the neighbourhood of Ostermalm, a brisk 15-minute walk from The Prince, lies Palmgrens. Originally makers of equestrian goods, Palmgrens was founded by John Palmgren in 1896, offering saddles, driving harnesses and bridles to the city’s elite. By 1950 Palmgrens had launched the classic rattan bag. A homage to the “it” bag of southern Europe, the rattan bag was airy, refined and irrefutably practical. An instant success, it paved the way for the Palmgrens of today, with a full range of both men’s and woman’s bags, belts, wallets and cases of various size, shape and usage. The brand has never strayed far from its roots, however, with the shop now only one block away from its earlier location and still outfitted with the original display cases from the late 19th century.
palmgrens.se (classic rattan bag HK$2,400)
Sibyllegatan 7
Rodebjer