Fashion Flash

07 November 08

Fashion editor Dominique Afacan hits the streets of Norway’s capital , Oslo

In the Zone

GRÜNERLOKKA
This used to be the scruffy part of town, but in the past few years it has cleaned up its act and become supertrendy. Boutiques like Babel, Sjarm and B-Young line the streets, stocking cool designs by Scandinavian labels.

BISLETT
This up-and-coming area may not be swarming with shops yet, but “quality not quantity” rings true here, especially for interiors nuts. Monocle magazine just named Pur Norsk (www.purnorsk.no) on Thereses Gate one of the best design shops in the world.

KARL JOHANS GATE
This is the best-known street in Oslo, stretching right from the station to the palace. You’ll find a good mix of designer labels, along with high-street chains like Zara and Esprit – but be prepared for crowds.

Top of the Shops

PROBAT
T-shirts that capture Norwegian pop culture have become big business in Oslo. Come to Probat for the biggest selection of motifs, including cheese slices and moose.
54 THORVALD MEYERS GATE, WWW.PROBAT.NO

FRETEX
Norway’s biggest chain of second-hand shops has its best branch in Grünerlokka, where you’ll find wacky winter jumpers, quirky furniture and very eccentric staff.
51 MARKVEIEN, WWW.FRETEX.NO

MOODS OF NORWAY
Come to the flagship store of this quirky label — every item has some kind of Norwegian detail to it, such as the winter sports-inspired womenswear.
18 AKERSGATA, WWW.MOODSOFNORWAY. COM

“I’d say my style is pretty relaxed. I shop at Noa Noa and H&M, and make some stuff myself.”
MARIANNE, 30, NURSE

“I tend to buy my clothes on holiday – my bag is by After, an Icelandic designer.”
DORI, 56, HEAD OF FACULTY OF DESIGN