Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Blaðsíða 30

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
30
Let’s be real: there are few things that could temper our love for shop-
ping. Thankfully, our delightful city has kept up with our demand,
with the design scene seeming to expand exponentially year after
year. This year was particularly prolific—there are too many new
stores to name, with many popping up and nabbing not only the talk
of the town, but also some of our biggest awards. But after long dis-
cussions with our beloved panel members, we are proud to present
our winners. So without further ado, here’s your essential guide to
shopping in Reykjavík. Enjoy—responsibly, of course.
Best Goddamn Store
Yeoman
Laugavegur 7
It feels like every year we declare it The Year Of Yeoman, and then
every year she blows past our expectations by becoming bigger and
better. This year was no different, as 2021 saw Yeoman being donned
by international celebrities while also continuing her reign as the pri-
mary fashion tastemaker for Reykjavík women. “Both my 14-year-old
daughter and my 60-year-old mother would love a Yeoman dress,”
one panel member raved. “Everything from her own designs to the
brands she chooses to put into her store become big in the city, and
for good reason—her taste is impeccable. To talk about modern Ice-
landic style is to talk about Yeoman.” Congrats Yeoman.
Runners-Up
Kiosk
Grandagarður 35
Kiosk is the nurturing ground for the
best and brightest in Icelandic fashion
design. Featuring a handful of artists
selling their wares at a time, the shop-
ping experience at Kiosk is so personal
that you can easily chat with the de-
signer while you try on their garments.
Above all else, the shop showcases just
how devoutly diverse and fantastic
our design scene is. “I genuinely live in
fear that Kiosk will close!” one panellist
laughed. “It’s so important here that
I almost feel protective of it. We need
this place.”
Fischer
Fischersund
“Fischer is more than just a store,
it’s an experience,” this year’s panel
determined. Yes, this local favourite
is more like a sensory paradise,
treading the line between a shop and
a design space. From incense and
packaging-free shampoo to natural
face masks and perfumes, Fischer
is memorable above all else. As one
panel member concluded: “It’s just
another world.”
Previous Winners
2021: Kiosk
2020: Fischer
2019: Fischer
Best Design Store
Rammagerðin
Skólavörðustígur 12, Harpa, Kringlan
For the second year in a row, Ram-
magerðin has clinched the gold metal.
The store is basically as close to a
supergroup of Icelandic designers as
you are going to find outside of some
weird design-focused comic book mul-
tiverse. Go there to pick up everything
from Studio Flétta’s hand-stamped
candlesticks to Ragna Ragnarsdóttir’s
ethereal ceramics to Fischer’s earthly
fragrances to Urð’s delectable cosmet-
ics. “They have such a nice palette of
Icelandic designers. “They are such a
good advocate for the design scene
here, which must be applauded.”
Runners-Up
Epal
Laugavegur 7
What an opening! Our panel couldn’t
have been more overjoyed than to see
Epal, the classic Icelandic design store,
move to such a lovely spot on Lau-
gavegur. “They are so good at pairing
Icelandic designers with (international)
ones,” one panellist raved. “They also
have exhibitions in the basement which
are always well curated and interesting.
It’s a must-stop.”
BioEffect
Hafnarstræti 19
BioEffect’s delightfully curated shop-
ping experience, aesthetic perfection,
and inspired design are worthy of rec-
ognition, which is why the panel gave
them this award, despite not technical-
ly being a design store. “They scan your
skin and then make you a customised
skincare repertoire. It’s more than just
a shop,” said one panellist. “And it’s not
only the products that are emblematic
of Icelandic design, but the store itself,
designed by Basalt Architects, reflects
the brand."
Previous Winners
2021: Rammagerðin
2020: Akkúrat
2019: Akkúrat
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2022
Shopping
Hey, big spender
Best Fashion Boutique
Andrá
Laugavegur 16
A new store? Winning first place? Well,
when something as spectacular as
Andrá comes along, we’re willing to
break with tradition. The boutique
emphasises selling quality pieces that
are produced in an ethically and en-
vironmentally friendly way for women
of all ages. “Their curation is stellar,”
one panel member added. “They have
such a good mix of Icelandic and in-
ternational designers. Somehow, they
are filling a niche that we didn’t even
know we needed. You can already tell
that they are going to have longevity
and it’s rare to feel that so strongly in
such a new store.” So bravó, Andrá.
Runner-Up
Aftur
Laugavegur 45
Aftur was doing sustainable design
long before sustainability was even
part of the conversation. Helmed by
designer Bára Hólmgeirsdóttir, every
one of Aftur’s pieces are entirely
repurposed, with a punky vibe
that makes them ideal for anyone
obsessed with the darker sides of
street style.
Newcomer
Nebraska
Barónsstígur 6
Not to be confused with the US state,
Nebraska is another new addition to
the scene that blew our panel away
with a fantastically curated selection.
“This place has so much potential!”
one panellist said of boutique clothing
store Nebraska. “It’s a special feeling
going in there. You can tell they are
going to become one of the tastemak-
ing stores downtown—or maybe they
already have.”
Previous Winners
2021: Yeoman
2020: Kvartýra No49
2019: Yeoman