Cos (Collection of Style)

Keeping up with my impromptu series on my discoveries in Madrid, here is another gem that is taking the European fashion world by storm.  Cos, which stands for Collection of Style, is a chain of high fashion retail stores owned by Swedish, H&M which offers the best in minimalist, good quality, fashion at affordable (almost H&M) prices.  Currently you can find Cos stores in Spain, Sweden, Germany, UK, France, Ireland, Denmark, and Belgium.

When I first walked by Cos, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at, and didn’t seem to pay much attention as it looked like “just another retail store.”  However, upon entering this mecca of minimalist fashion, I was hooked!  If H&M is your go-to destination for the bohemian, trendy, hipster, party look, then Cos is for the sophisticated, stylish, business person on a budget.  The store concept was launched back in March of 2007 and currently has (approx) 35 stores across Europe selling clothes for both men and women. If you find yourself in Europe anytime soon, in a city that has a Cos, and you are looking for “grownup” work clothes, fashionable going out clothes, I would 100% recommend this brand.

via Paul Farrell

via Pentagram

via besnob.fr

via Boutdelu

via noggy 73

fun & basics

Let me take this opportunity to give you the low-down on a terrific accessory store in Madrid that I found (one of MANY!!), called Fun & Basics.  A team of four started designing functional fun and basic accessories back in 1994 that proved to be quite popular among family and friends.  They opened their first store in 1997 and haven’t looked back since.

Fun & Basics now has stores in most major cities in Spain and several in Italy as well, as distribution in other retailers.  When I was in Madrid, I visited their store on Fuencarral in the Chuecca district as well as their store in Salamanca.  I think I returned three times to check out their purses and shoes as I was inspired by their designs.  The stores in general are minimalist in their decor and are well stocked with purses, shoes, bags, and jewelry that are bursting with colour.  I think the appeal of Fun & Basics is the simplicity of their style and the diversity of the materials and styles produced.  By the way, Fun & Basics also has a blog here if you want to keep up to date on who is wearing their items and which fashion magazine they are being featured in next!

via fashionfromspain.com

photo via Rizi Mendes

via 11870

bimba & lola

I am in Madrid visiting my brother, along with my family, to attend his graduation later this week.  On my first day in the city, I was given a brief shopping tour by my brother’s girlfriend who introduced me to Spanish retailer, bimba & lola.  Bimba & Lola is a funky brand of stylish leather goods, jewelry, accessories and clothing.  Right now I am coveting a couple bags and some accessories that are currently on sale (apparently, July in Madrid = sales).  Still deliberating as to whether I am going to make the purchase but nevertheless, here ere are a couple shots of what I like from their summer 2011 line.

Photo Credits:

(1) The Groovini (2) Plussixfive Magazine (3) Bented (4,5,6,7) Bimba & Lola Store

A home in Denmark

Can this be my home?!?  I love the contrast between the black kitchen and fireplace against the natural wood beams and floor.

Photo Credit:

(1) Tim Bjorn via From Scandinavia with Love for Bo Bedre (an awesome interior design magazine)

potato head beach club

This is the coolest beach club I have ever seen.  It actually hardly resembles a beach club from the outside, which is a reminder to never judge a book by its cover.  The Potato Head beach club, which opened in Seminyak, Bali late last year, houses three restaurants, six bars, pools, lounge chairs and turns into quite the party space after dark.  It supposedly attracted something like 1000 people to its opening launch.  While I am sure the food and drink at this club is divine, the architecture alone is the real draw.  The design appeal for PHBC is the collection of 1950’s Scandinavian and Indonesian furniture artfully displayed and incorporated around the property.  The coolest by far, is the exterior which looks like a window shutter factory/art gallery fortress all rolled into one.  The club’s walls are made of industrial concrete that have been covered by hundreds of mismatched, antique window shutters. Talk about go big or go home!  The Potato Head beach club’s website also states that a hotel is coming soon.

Photo Credits:

(1, 2, 3) Lost at E Minor (4) Whiteboard Journal (5) Luxe City Guides