Characterized by one of its former mayers as 'poor, but sexy', the city of Berlin is known worldwide for its affordable housing - not for too long though - cheap food and alternative style of living - especially in the Eastern part of the city. However, there are a couple of top luxury destinations too, where top brands are inviting you to stop and leave with the latest top notch items. For the luxury lovers, I went up and down to the Berlin shopping avenue, bringing you the top destinations.
Ku'damm
Paris has Champs Elysees, London has Oxford Street, Berlin has its traditional shopping avenue: Ku'damm - or Kürfurstendamm. Situated in the Western part of the city, close to the Zoo metro station, this street is not only the destination for the top luxury brands, but also has a special architecture and a special bourgeois and luxury flair.
You will find here all the best luxury brand known worldwide: from Chanel to Louis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci, Cartier and Rolex. After you are done with the shopping, you can sip a coffee at Kempinski or have some sweet treats at Grosz, all famous foodie establishments of the West Berlin.
KaDeWe
The luxury history of West Berlin cannot be told without mentioning the 110-year young KaDeWe, where you can find in one place almost all the famous brands in the world. You have them all just for you, from home products to interior design, fashion for men, women and children and a big food court too.
Bikini Berlin
If you are more into alternative, yet luxury fashion designers, the newest kid on the top notch shopping block of the West - Bikini Berlin, is your answer. It might look like a reconditioned industrial factory, but it has regularly pop-up stores where the best of new designers are presenting their works. Don't worry, the prices are high and you have the advantage of wearing unique pieces of clothing, most of them limited editions created for a selective audience.
The Mall of Berlin
Talking about new kids...The Mall of Berlin whose opening created various controversies, is an unique presence in this shopping world. 270 shops covering a variety of products and brands are waiting for you in the newest and most dynamic part of the city - Potsdamer Platz. Berlin and Germany in general is not too keen on malls, prefering less glamorous investments and locations. However, keeping up with the world trends is hard therefore the city has - as for now - at least one such consummerist destination.
The Corner Berlin
However, the shopping patterns are changing slowly, and most Berliners will prefer the comfort of a cozy location where they can browse at peace, and without too many people around, the best designer creations from all over the world. For such exquisite customers, The Corner Berlin, in Gendarmenmarkt, is the perfect destination. The shop is the location of high-fashion events too, such it was a couple of years ago for the launching of the book of the French stylish icon Garance Doré. If you cannot make it yet in person, you might know that online shopping is also possible.
Quartier 205 - Galeries Lafayette
All those locations are perfectly fine and many do have precious brands, many of them made in Berlin, but for me, nothing compares to the special feeling of walking the elegant location of Quartier 205. It breathes fashion and style, French style, for every step you take on the black and white squarred marble. After getting used with the overwhelming elegance, I always go on the other side of the building to have a look at the newest French products from the food section at Galeries Lafayette, the best gourmet food quarters in the city - sorry KaDeWe - especially for having a bit at some addictive pastry made according to the highest standards of the French cuisine.
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