Best designer stores rome

DESIGNER STORES ROME

The three streets leading into the Piazza del Popolo — Via del Corso, Via del Babuino, Via Ripetta — and all the little cross streets in between — Via Condotti, Via Frattina, Via Borgognona — form a section of Rome called the Trident. It’s the luxury centre of the city, and one of the most exclusive and expensive shopping areas in the world. All the top names you can think of have stores here.

  

Each of the streets has its own character. Via del Corso, always crowded with tourists and teenagers, is lined with chain stores and cheap boutiques until you get close to Piazza del Popolo, where the prices and quality shift upwards. Via del Babuino, which leads directly out of the Piazzza di Spagna, is the classiest of the three, full of designer labels and exclusive shops. Via Ripetta, the quietest street, is notable for a few ethnic shops, restaurants and wine bars.

The side streets, Via Condotti and Via Bocca di Leone are a window shoppers heaven, the pages of Vogue magazine come to life in the displays. Via Frattina is friendly and accessible, with some lower-priced shops, a Swatch store, and a few shops selling fun gift items.

Versace Flagship Store

Following stores in Shanghai and Paris designed by English architect Jamie Fobert, who worked with Donatalla Versace on a new concept featuring intricate mosaic marble floors and brass fittings, this new location replaces the former Versace shop on Via Bocca del Leone. Some 240 square meters of opulence, showcasing everything Versace, from gowns to sunglasses.

Piazza di Spagna 12
tel 06 678 0521

Louis Vuitton Etoile

On the site of an early movie theatre, founded at the dawn of cinema, and in recent years used to house exhibitions and sales of various kinds, the house of LV has recently opened an impressive concept store, with an interior designed by architect Peter Marino, in homage to the building’s origins, a small 3D screening room with a program of short films that changes monthly.

Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina 41 (Via del Corso near Via Frattina)
tel 06 688 09520

Giorgio Armani

The newly-opened superstore, with separate entrances for men and women’s lines, all the accessories, cosmetics, and a private space for bespoke orders.

Via dei Condotti, 77 tel 06 699 1460

Emporio Armani

More affordable, younger, but with unmistakable Armani styling.

Via del Babuino 140

Armani Jeans

The least expensive, most casual of the Armani lines. Just across the street from Emporio Armani.

Via del Babuino 70/a

Battistoni

A Rome institution for many years. Elegant, conservative tailoring for men and women.

Via dei Condotti, 61

Hugo Boss

Four floors of contemporary elegance for the man who wants to look both rich and chic. The Frankfurt-based fashion house is better known for its menswear, but also has lines for women. The label includes a Hugo line for young men and women, a Baldessarini line for the older-but-still-very-hip guy, as well as Boss black for the business man or woman Boss Orange and Boss Green casual and active wear. Almost any accessory imaginable is available with the

Boss signature, from sunglasses to underwear.

Via Frattina, 146-7 tel 06 678 6173

Bottega Veneta

The familiar woven leather goods as well as a newer, more contemporary line of leather accessories, handbags, and shoes. Currently designed by German-born Tomas Maier, who recently added a small collection of clothing to the line.

Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, 9

Laura Biagiotti

“The Queen of Cashmere,” creates a signature line of elegant casual clothing, as well as sunglasses, scarves, handbags and other accessories. Take home a bottle of her “Roma” perfume.

Via Borgonona, 43 tel 06 679 1205

Brioni

The internationally famed Roman tailor. Classic, impeccably tailored suits for men and women. Worn by top executives, politicians.

Via Barberini, 79

Bulgari

The ultimate in high-end Italian watch and jewellery design. Also sunglasses, scarves, small leather goods.

Via dei Condotti, 10 tel 06 679 3876

Burberry

The English outfitting company, founded in 1856 by a young Thomas Burberry, has in recent years transformed itself from purveyor of classic trench coats to a fashion house a la moda, with collections for men and women, accessories and fragrances. Italian-American Roberto Menichetti began the transformation in the ’90s, which is continued today by Englishmen Cristopher Bailey, Burberry’s current artistic director. The Burberry Prosum (Latin for “forward”) label, is the firms’s cutting-edge division.

Via dei Condotti, 61 tel. 06. 675 0101

Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli’s splashy prints, and embellished jeans have been “of the moment” for years. Sexy, colorful, coveted by music celebrities.

Via Borgognona, 7/a tel 06 693 80130

Just Cavalli

A somewhat more affordable line:

Piazza di Spagna, 82/83 tel 06 679 2294

Chanel

The Roman headquarters for the house of Chanel, and the designs of Karl Lagerfeld.

Via del Babuino, 98/101 tel 06 678 4045

Christian Dior

The outpost of the house of Dior, now designed by fashion renegade John Galliano.

Piazza dei Spagna, 73/74 tel 06 699 24489

Costume National

Founded in 1986 by Ennio Capasa, the line features ultra-modern fashion forward looks for men and women.
Via del Babuino, 106 tel 692 00686

Dolce e Gabbana

Designer fashions from the Sicilian duo who helped make sexy clothes chic. Via Borgognona 7/D.
D & G, the more affordable line:

Piazza di Spagna 82-3 tel 06 679 2294

Etro

“Gimmo” Etro’s textile house, founded in 1968, produces spectacular paisley shawls, silks and cashmeres for men and women. Scarves, purses, separates, home furnishings. The company is now run by son Kean Etro, who heads up menswear, while daughter Veronica handles the womenswear.

Via del Babuino, 102 tel 06 678 8257

Fendi

The company made famous by the Fendi sisters, now owned by the Louis Vuitton group, recently opened a new flagship store in Rome. Karl Lagerfeld continues to design the fur and women’s wear lines in their new superstore. Largo Goldoni.

Gianfranco Ferré

The ready-to-wear line of the legendary maestro of precision cutting. Via Borgognona, 6 tel 06 679 7445
GF Ferré Jeans The younger, less expensive label of the house of Ferré.

Piazza di Spagna, 70 tel. 06 679 1451

Alberta Ferretti

The Rome store carries both the signature line and the lower-priced and younger Philosophy label. Beautifully detailed, feminine clothing, shoes bags and belts.

Via dei Condotti, 34 tel 06 699 1160

Salvatore Ferragamo

In addition to the famous shoes and bags, shop for clothing and scarves with wonderful prints.
Via dei Condotti, 73 tel 06 679 5180

Frette

Home of the status label for sheets and towels, now also producing table linens, luxury pajamas and robes.
Piazza di Spagna, 11 tel 06 679 0673, also at

Via del Corso, 381 and Via Nazionale, 84

Gucci

The famous Florentine bags, shoes, clothing and accessories became a must-have for celebrities and climbers when the house designer was Texan Tom Ford. Since Ford left the company, the design reigns have been handed over to three designers who trained under him.

Via dei Condotti, 8 tel 06 679 1882

Hermès

The legendary silk scarves and ties, handbags and a selection of very exclusive clothing. Founded by a Parisian saddlemaker in 1880, now designed by Madonna-favourite Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Via dei Condotti, 67 tel 06 679 1882

Jimmy Choo

The iconic shoe designer, known for his Sex and the City-style stilettos, and more recently, his 70’s-style handbags.

Via dei Condotti 68/A tel 06 699 22667

Krizia

The Rome shop carries a selection of the more than 50 lines produced by the Milanese house founded in 1957 by Mariuccia Mandelli, who still runs the company with her husband Aldo Pinto: menswear, children’s wear, knitwear, eyewear, handbags, ties, fragrance, home furnishings.

Piazza di Spagna, 87 tel 06 679 3772

Loro Piana

Finely woven cashmere shawls, scarves and accessories. Heirloom quality with prices to match. Via Borgogna, 31 tel 06 699 24906

La Perla

Luxurious lingerie for trousseaus, love affairs and women who want to treat themselves very well.

Via dei Condotti, 78 tel 06 699 41934

Max Mara

Classic styles, fine quality, a favourite of chic women for both business and casual wear.

Via dei Condotti, 17-19 tel 06 6992 2104

Missoni

Signature weaves, patterns and knits in unique colour schemes from the house of Tai and Rosita Missoni, now under the design influence of the next generation’s Angela Missoni.

Piazza di Spagna, 78 tel 06 679 2555

Moschino

In the years since the death of Franco Moschino in 1994, the label has continued his tradition of humorous, young and chic styling. Two locations in the Spanish Steps area sell the Moschini ready-to-wear line, the Moschino Cheap and Chic line, Moschino jeans and accessories. Via Borgognona, 32/a tel 06 678 0491 and at

Via Belsiana 53/57
tel 06 692 00415

Prada

Miuccia Prada, who took over her family’s leather goods business in 1978, has transformed the name into a synonym for cutting-edge fashion. Clothes, accessories, the ubiquitous Prada handbags.

Via dei Condotti, 91-93
tel 06 679 089

Sorella Fontana

The atelier of the esteemed proponents of Italian haute couture, the Fontana sisters, who opened their doors in Rome in 1937 and continue to design beautifully detailed clothing.

Via San Sebastianello, 5-6 tel 06 679 8652

Yves Saint Laurent

Currently designed by Stefano Pilati, who took over after Tom Ford’s departure. Formerly a designer for Giorgio Armani and Prada’s Miu Miu line, Pilati has taken YSL back to it’s roots, reflecting the master’s signature looks.

Ready-to-wear: Via Bocca di Leone, 35 tel 06 679 5577

Accessories for men and women: Piazza di Spagna, 77 tel 06 679 7750

Trussardi

Founded in 1911 by glove maker Dante Trussardi, the leather goods company with the signature greyhound logo, has grown into an international empire. Currently under the direction of grandaugther Beatrice Trussardi, the label now encompasses everything from ready-to-wear, handbags and luggage, jeans and eyewear to car interiors.
Via dei Condotti, 73 tel 06 679 1565

Ungaro

Since Emanuel Ungaro’s retirement, the house has gone through several changes. The current designer, Vincent Darme, formerly of Moschino, is designing a new Ungaro Fuschia line for the young and fashion forward and continues the Ungaro tradition of gorgeous prints, lush colours and feminine lines.

Via Borgognona, 4/b tel 06 699 23345

Valentino

The king of Roman fashion, Valentino Garavani, who has dressed celebrities from Elizabeth Taylor to Julia Roberts, sold his company and retired some years ago. Now, a new flagship superstore will open next July near corporate headquarters which adjoin the Spanish Steps.

Ermenegildo Zegna

Everything for the wealthy, well-dressed male — beautifully-cut suits, cuff links, neck ties.
Via Borgognona, 7/e tel 06 678 9143

Why not book an Italy’s Best Shopping Tour, to discover more about Made In Italy.