Beirut Boutiques

I celebrated New Year's in Beirut; a city famous for its night life and food. However, I soon realized that its boutiques did not fall short compared to the ones in Europe. I think that we still don't have boutiques like this in Istanbul, well maybe except for Midnight Express and Atelier 55; and they are not even there yet.

You will probably read about the food and the night life in other sites, I will focus on fashion.

Let's start with my favorite: Starch.

In Saifi Village, where all the good boutiques are, Starch is an establishment that supports young designers who are just coming out of school. Their collections are on display temporarily until other designers arrive.

When I was there one of the designers, Dina, was there and her collection was my favorite along with the accessory designer Malaika Kajem. And don't think that the prices are low since they are new designers. That would be a mistake.

Dina Khalifé's work was all silk and dyed in Italy. The bugs and the worms and the spiders and the ants in the patterns were just right for me, unlike their price.

The rawness of Malaika's work is what I always look for in an accessory.

It must be impossible not to be effected by war when you are a designer in Beirut.

Since we are still at Saifi Village, let's move on with the other boutiques there. My second favorite Milia M got me at first hello with its window :)

You will find architectural pieces and great color at Milia M. Since I was mesmerized when I went inside, I forgot to take pics. But here are two that will give you the idea, I found on the net.

I believe the most colorful boutique at Saifi Village is Bokja.

Amber is a boutique I couldn't really put my finger on. They buy different brands from all around Europe. Take a look, it's like you never know what you're gonna get.

Then there was this one boutique, which was great, but I can't remember the name of...

The tshirt!

Nice touch.

Paper dolls...sorry glass dolls with alternate clothes :)))

And here are the other stores at Saifi Village, that you can ignore alltogether:

Nonsense filled Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. We had enough in the 80s, thanks.

Johnny Farah's famous store stinks really bad leather, like the ones at Grand Bazaar Istanbul.

Another 80's inspired store, very much alike a store from 80s London, Cream

Sunflower. The boutique that did not allow me to take any photos, but no worries, nothing important.

Now we're through with Saifi Village, we can move on to some hardcore ones. Boutique 1 and Plum. Well you can read about these two in any piece about Beirut, so I'm not dwelling on them. One thing... If you like Colette or Browns, you'll like these two.

I got these 2 books from Boutique 1. With its website very much like Netaporter's Boutique1 is here and Plum here. Another boutique, which is very close to these two (in both senses), Santiago, is a must see as well.

The Good Life seems to be for men, but tough girls will like it as well. It's in Achrafieh.

How would you like to try on a pair of shoes, while you take a ...hmm you know what. Then Good Life's the place.

Then there is the Beyrut Souks with all the luxury brands you're looking for, blah blah blah. Sorry can't waste my space for this place. Go to NY or Dubai for this please.

When you visit Beirut, you are bound to see Byblos. Well, at least if you are a real traveller. The only store worth checking out in Byblos is Gibran's Lebanon. 

Any questions? Contact me. 

Need advice on where to eat? Contact me.