The Best Places To Shop In Rome
STORES TO KNOW…
Secondome
‘Made in Italy’ is one of the world’s most enduring marks of quality. For almost 20 years now, Secondome founder Claudia Pignatale has been doing her bit to protect and promote the national brand. A regular at design fairs around the world, she uses her gallery space in Trastevere to showcase beautiful furniture created by Italian artisans.
Visit SECONDOME.BIZ
LGR
In 2005, Luca Gnecchi Ruscone (LGR himself) discovered an old pair of sunglasses among his grandfather’s belongings in Africa. Their beauty inspired him to try and recreate them. Today, all LGR eyewear is handmade in Italy by three families. The best places to see their work are the brand’s two flagship stores in Rome: one approaching the Vatican on Via Cola di Rienzo; the other close to the Spanish Steps.
Visit LGRWORLD.COM
Ottica Spiezia
Ottica Spiezia has been in the eyewear business since the 1960s. At its store just off Piazza del Popolo, you can find statement sunglasses from the likes of Bulgari and Bottega Veneta, as well as handmade-in-Rome models it produces itself.
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La Rinascente
Lou Lou
Clothes, jewellery and accessories fill Annalisa Pace’s one-of-a-kind boutique on Via dei Banchi Vecchi. She named the store after the protagonist of the Pandora’s Box silent film. But rather than releasing evil into the world as the mythical box once did, Lou Lou brings lesser-known Italian designers and craftspeople to a wider audience.
Visit LOULOUROMA.COM
Essenzialmente Laura
Laura Bosetti Tonato is a famous ‘nose’ who has created scents for Caravaggio exhibitions, recreated fragrances mentioned in the Bible, and perfumed some of the world’s best hotels. Essenzialmente Laura is her own line, which she showcases at three boutiques around Rome. On a street lined with antiques dealers, her Via dei Coronari shop is our favourite.
Visit ESSENZIALMENTELAURA.IT
Chez Dédé
Italian-made kimonos, printed Grand Sacs, bandanas with vintage illustrations – go to Chez Dédé when you’re ready to add an elegant touch to your wardrobe. At its store close to Campo de’ Fiori, you’ll also find homewares that carry their beauty just as lightly.
Visit CHEZDEDE.COM
Schostal Originals
The original Schostals were a pair of Austrian brothers who opened a store selling pyjamas and other basics way back in the 19th century. Today, the great reputation of their heritage brand draws in-the-know locals and the odd global celebrity to their traditional boutique on Via della Fontanella di Borghese.
Visit SCHOSTALORIGINALS.COM
Eataly
Sure, you can find Eataly in London now, but it’s worth going closer to the source to see everything it can do. In Rome, the mega-deli has taken over the old Ostiense train station, filling its floors with every Italian speciality you care to think of. Around and about, you’ll find enough things to taste to skip a meal. For an actual meal, there’s also a restaurant and pizzeria on site.
Visit EATALY.NET
La Rinascente
For more than 150 years, Italy’s most famous department store has been selling luxury goods to discerning Romans. Its stores – one close to Villa Borghese, the other near the Trevi fountain – have expanded now to embrace beauty, food and homeware. The through line for all departments remains quality. Even if you’re not buying (or don’t *think* you’re buying), its high-end halls need to be experienced.
Visit RINASCENTE.IT
PLACES TO EXPLORE…
Via Dei Condotti & Via Del Babuino
Whatever your credit limit, it’s worth taking a wander around the streets at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. This is where Italy’s biggest fashion houses have chosen to gather in the city, and they put on quite a show trying to outdo each other. On Via dei Condotti, Bulgari is centre stage, though you also won’t fail to notice Fendi, which started as a fur and leather shop in Rome. Via del Babuino’s galaxy of stars includes Marni, Moschino, Armani and Chiara Ferragni, with Zegna, Gucci, Max Mara, Ferragamo and the pretty-in-pink REDValentino flagship close by too.
Via Dell’Oca
Piazza del Popolo is the beginning of three major streets that take you south into the Centro Storico. Before you head down one of them, seek out Via dell’Oca, just off the square. For anyone in search of names and labels they won’t find at home, this little alley is home to a trio of hidden treasures. Elif Sallorenzo started out holding private trunk shows in New York; now she has Artisanal Cornucopia to show off her latest discoveries. Laura Urbinati is all about bold made-in-Italy RTW, swimwear, lingerie and homeware. Then there’s Atelier Bomba. Part shop, part workshop, it’s where a family of tailors produce bespoke pieces from beautiful cloths. They also have some lovely, light knitwear.
Borghetto Flaminio
Its many regulars know this is the most fashion-y of Rome’s Sunday street markets. In a warehouse-style space close to Villa Borghese, Borghetto Flaminio has been going since the early 90s and you can snag designer bargains at least as old as that.
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