We wouldn’t expect anything less from Elvis Presley’s ex-home than this gloriously bizarre blend of Cali modernism with Hollywood regency. Although the King moved out a while ago, the property’s latest lodgers continue to do the place justice. One of the world’s foremost contemporary design galleries, The Future Perfect, made waves with the opening of their first Casa Perfect, a showroom which pried art from the white walls of galleries and placed it into a stunning WeHo home, allowing buyers to view it in-situ. Life and art blur in this LA home with its floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto a Hockneyeqsue pool and panoramic views of the city beyond. Beyond the walls is Trousdale Estates, a past star-studded enclave which attracted stars like Jane Fonda, Frank Sinatra and Groucho Marx – the cultural cachet of this place only grows more enticing the deeper you dig. While Casa Perfect has a wonderful New York iteration, it’s this sunny LA home-cum-gallery that will get you California dreamin’.

A “Made in Italy” clothing tag is covetable for a reason; from
Prada to Armani, Milan
has birthed some of the biggest and best fashion houses, and while
10 Corso Como, the concept store named after its address, is
miniature by comparison, the same quality and standard is found in
the products housed within its iconic walls. The sartorial baby of
Carla Sozzani (whose sister runs Italian Vogue) is a glossy
magazine come to life, its pages reflected in the curated edit
across the floors. After you’ve browsed your dream wardrobe, made
your way through the art gallery and revelled in your purchases in
the enchanting ivy-laden courtyard, you’ll know the same discerning
eye has pulled together all the different pieces in one eclectic
but cohesive edit. The store’s philosophy of “slow shopping” has
earned it a place in the hearts of fashion’s elite worldwide, with
countless iterations in Seoul, Beijing,
Shanghai and New
York.

From South Beach to Soho, this iconic institution has made
itself a name across state lines, but the flagship Miami
store has won us over. The 20,000-square-foot shop in South Beach
was opened in 2009 and provides much-needed reprieve from the
endless tabs of online shopping. Everything is deliciously Miami,
from The Webster’s flamingo logo to the store’s venue – an historic
art-deco building designed by famed architect Henry Hohauser,
finished with a lick of cotton-candy pink and blue. Despite its
quintessential Miami energy, the store has an undeniable French
touch courtesy of founder and Creative Director Laure Heriard
Dubreuil. Throughout the space’s different rooms, all of which are
host to a distinctly different vibe, you’ll find Gigi Burris
Millinery woven hats, Lisa Marie Fernandez bikinis and HVN summer
dresses among Givenchy flares and Fendi totes. Like any concept
store worth its (extortionate) price tag, you’ll also find the best
of beauty and books. With the 2019 launch of The Webster Home – a
mix of modern and vintage pieces that do not lack in colour – it’s
become a one-stop-shop for fashion’s glitterati.

Dover Street Market is possibly the first name that comes to
mind when one thinks of concept stores, and with good reason – the
multi-brand retailer opened in 2004 and has since reached
astronomical levels of fame which have led to openings of DSM in
Tokyo,
New York, Singapore,
Beijing, Los
Angeles and a pop-up in Paris. Although the store has made a
reputation for attracting achingly cool millennials in need of the
latest Gosha Rubchinskiy collaboration, you’re just as likely to
find a bright and ruffly Molly Goddard dress as you are a whole
wall of on-trend sneakers. Vetements, Gucci and Dior sit alongside
lesser-known emerging brands to provide that long touted mix of
high-low (although be warned, at DVS this is more a case of
extortionately high). The store closes twice a year for a three-day
refit so every six months sees the store experience completely
transformed, keeping shoppers on their toes, followers loyal and
the store a mainstay on Instagram explore pages.

“I want to live here” is the most uttered phrase in this West
Hollywood apartment-cum-store. The brainchild of stylist and Vogue
France alumni Vanessa Train, The Apartment on Melrose Place is
essentially a shoppable apartment complete with living room,
kitchen, dining room, bedroom, plus a very, very generous walk-in
wardrobe. Instead of display cases or table arrangements you’ll
find things exactly where you’d expect in a dream apartment come to
life. Although the contextual space definitely errs on the
minimalist side, alongside industrial lights and Scandi rugs you’ll
find curiosities like Japanese-imported incense and mother-of-pearl
lighters. As expected, the covetable space definitely caters to the
0.1% – but taking photos is free.

Rare Market has established itself as a major fashion address in
Seoul, giving areas like Apgujeong-ro and Dosan-daero – home to
mega-shops like Chanel, Gucci and Louis Vuitton – a run for their
money. Kwon Dami and Jeong Hye-jin, the duo behind the famed
concept store, are predictably cool and impossibly chic – qualities
that translates effortlessly into every facet of their store. From
the vivacious decor (bright orange and gold) to their curated
stock, which features smaller luxury brands like Jacquemus, Rosie
Assoulin and an array of emerging young Korean designers, the store
is a treasure trove of fashionable findand a go-to for moneyed
millennials. While Rare Market has made it onto worldwide
e-commerce, this store is worth a visit.

Bright and airy, although the hellish crowds of Oxford Street
are still within earshot, The Alex Eagle Studio is the total
antithesis. Billing itself as a “rejeuvenating 360 take on retail”,
the light-filled space is home to an extensive array of stylish
bits and bobs we didn’t know we needed and a host of statement
objects that make us want to re-do our entire homes. Other than the
atelier, the space on Lexington Street is also home to a large
private event space and a wellness studio (shopping and a facial is
an unfortunately rare combo). Whether you leave The Alex Eagle
Studio with multiple heaving bags in tow or just with some
inspiration to add to your Pinterest board, you’ll wince passing
the big, heaving Topshop on your way home.