Reykjavík Grapevine - 19.05.2017, Síða 30

Best Of Reykjavík
For your mind, your body and your wallet
30The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 08 — 2017
Fix Up, Look Sharp
Icelandic fashion design, and where to find it

Words: Hannah Jane Cohen & John Rogers
Photos: Art Bicnick
Reykjavík is home to a diverse va-
riety of local fashion brands, many
of whom have their own down-
town stores and boutiques. From
Icelandic wool products to sleek
couture, streetwear and sharply
tailored suits, there’s a lot of cloth-
ing here that you’ll only find in
Iceland. Whether you’re after a
unique piece for a special occa-
sion, or you just want to stay warm
in style, here are some places to
check out.
KIOSK
Ingólfsstræti 6
KIOSK is a collective of indepen-
dent Icelandic designers EYGLO,
Helicopter, milla snorrason and
kyrja. As well as selling their orig-
inal and often hard-to-come-by
designs, the designers also take
turns to run the counter, so you’ll
meet one of them when you drop
by the shop. Their new location
is at Ingólfsstræti 6, right in the
heart of downtown.
Kormákur og Skjöldur
Basement Unit, Laugavegur 56
This gentleman’s tailor and hab-
erdashery is the king of Reykjavík
menswear stores. They offer a va-
riety of shirts, accessories, and
suits in classic cuts from through-
out the decades, made from high-
end material and tailored to fit.
It ’s priced accordingly, but it’s
worth it—their clothing is of the
highest quality.
Farmers & Friends
Hólmaslóð 2
If you want to pick up an Icelan-
dic sweater but don’t want it to
look so, uh, perhaps, dowdy, then
go peruse through Farmers and
Friends. Their wares combine
Nordic style with a fresh aesthet-
ic, providing you with a modern
take on traditional pieces that you
could wear everywhere from the
farm to Florence. If sweaters aren’t
your forté, they also make beauti-
fully tailored blazers and coats,
stunning shawls and felt hats.
Hildur Yeoman Boutique
Skólavörðustigur 22b
Hildur Yeoman is a rising star in
Icelandic fashion—you might have
seen one of her striking designs
on Björk at her 2016 Albert Hall
show. Her new store sells designs
from Hildur’s eponymous wom-
enswear brand, as well as clothing
by associated designers, and an
array of interesting accessories.
Inklaw
Cintamani, Bankastræti 7 & Kringlan;
Inklaw HQ, Austurstræti 18
In k law creates sophisticated
streetwear: minimalist and mod-
ern, but still undeniably hip-hop.
Check them out if you’re look-
ing for long-lined oversize piec-
es, muted colours, and tailored
bombers. With the perfect com-
bination of Scandinavian design
and urban st yle,
Inklaw’s wares are
cool, but not in a
try-hard way. Every
one of their pieces
is handmade in their Reykjavík
studio, and Justin Bieber is a per-
sonal fan.
66° North
Laugavegur 17-19,
Bankstræti 5 & Kringlan
If you want to get the Reykjavík
look, a good starting point might
be a 66° North Workman Beanie
and Jökla Parka. 66° North is the
OG brand in Iceland, donned by
everyone from rural farmers to
downtown fuckboys. Peruse their
wares and it’s obvious why—their
quality and aesthetic is impecca-
ble. These are pieces that will last
not only your lifetime, but prob-
ably your grandchildren’s.
Steinunn Boutique
Grandagarður 17
Steinunn Sigurðardóttir is pri-
marily influenced by Icelandic na-
ture. Her wares are both simple
and luxurious, with materials
ranging from lambswool to silk,
fur and ruffles. This is Icelandic
design at its most couture—each
piece is guaranteed to garner an
envious second glance. Previous-
ly a designer at Gucci and Calvin
Klein, Steinunn shows that high
fashion has not only a place, but a
home, in Reykjavík.
Geysir
Skólavörðustigur 7 & 16, and
Kringlan
The Geysir stores have become
a well-known Icelandic brand
through their lush imagery, tight
branding and sumptuous store
i n t e r i o r s . T h e y
launched their own
clothing line in 2015,
with new lookbooks
each year since, so if
you want that dreamy halcyon look
that combines tradition Icelandic
elements with a contemporary
edge, you know where to go.
REYKJAVÍK • GARÐABÆR
AKUREYRI • VÍK Í MÝRDAL
ICEWEAR SHOPS
Visit our webstore www.icewear.is
Enjoy the easy shopping and quick deliveries.
SELECTION
FROM BEST OF
REYKJAVÍK
2017
Best Bakery
Sandholt
Laugavegur 36
Sandholt wins this spot again,
but not for lack of competition.
They simply deliver consistent-
ly. The laminated pastries are
hands down the best in Iceland;
try their buttery croissants or
seasonal Danish pastries, local-
ly known as “vinarbrauð” with
rhubarb and raspberries, or the
classic, vanilla custard. Their
sourdough is deservedly well-
known and if a whole loaf is too
much, they oblige by slicing just
what you need. If you’re staying
or straying close by grab one of
their delicious loaves and keep
it for snacks. The house-made
preserves and spreads along-
side make for quite a treat.
Best place to go dancing
Prikið
Bankastræti 12
After three years winning this
slot, Kiki has been knocked
out by Prikið’s hip-hop-centric
come-party-with-us cry. With a
tightly packed dance floor that
you hit as soon as you enter the
bar, you immediately get swept
into the fun, friendly party. “It’s
the only place I will go alone,”
said one panellist, “because
you’ll hang out and dance with
nice random people. You just
feel good in there.” The dancing
tends to spread out all over both
tightly packed floors while the
bartenders swing the lanterns
over the bar to keep the party
atmosphere high. It’s really cool.
gpv.is/bestof
Get to know Reykjavík
Hildur Yeoman
THE NEW
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NEW VERSIONS OF THE
ICELANDIC HOT DOG
INGÓLFSTORG