Shopping in Russia
-
A
Izmaylovo Market
This sprawling area, also known as Vernisazh market, is packed with art, handmade crafts, antiques, Soviet paraphernalia and just about anything you might want for a souvenir. You’ll find Moscow’s biggest original range of matryoshki, palekh and khokhloma ware, as well as less traditional woodworking crafts. There are also rugs from the Caucasus and Central Asia, pottery, linens, jewellery, fur hats, chess sets, toys, Soviet posters and much more. Feel free to negotiate, but don’t expect vendors to come down more than 10%. This place is technically open every day, but many vendors come out only on weekends, when your selection is greater.
reviewed
-
B
Ministerstvo Podarkov
For quirky, clever souvenirs, stop by this network of artists’ cooperatives. Each outlet has a different name, but the goods are more or less the same: uniquely Russian gifts such as artist-designed tapki (slippers) and hand-woven linens. Most intriguingly, artist Yuri Movchan has invented a line of funky, functional fixtures (lights, clocks, etc) made from old appliances and other industrial discards. There is another outlet – Podarky, Dekor & Podarky – near Patriarch’s Ponds.
reviewed
-
C
A Korkunov
That this candy company was founded in 1997 may come as a surprise, as the shop’s interior feels like an old-fashioned confectioner. The seductive line of handmade chocolates – 15 kinds of filled candies and two types of bars – are lined up in a glass case, defying your will power. There are also a few tables, in case you care to indulge in a hot chocolate (R75 to R120).
reviewed
-
D
Dom Knigi
The old Soviet bookshop is changing with the times, with a selection of foreign-language books to rival any other shop in the city. This huge, crowded place holds regularly scheduled readings, children’s programs and other bibliophilic activities.
reviewed
-
Delovye Melochi Bookshop
Maps are very hard to find but are sometimes stocked in Delovye Melochi Bookshop in the basement next to Kafe Dom Pechati. It also sells decent Russian language guides to Tuva (R200).
reviewed
-
E
Pushkinskaya 10
This legendary locale is a required stop for anyone who is interested in the contemporary art and music scene in St Petersburg. The former apartment block – affectionately called by its former street address – contains studio and gallery space, as well as the cool music clubs Fish Fabrique and Experimental Sound Gallery (GEZ-21) and an assortment of other shops. It offers a unique opportunity to hang out with local musicians and artists, who are always eager to talk about their work. The story of Pushkinskaya 10 goes back to 1988, when a group of artists/squatters took over the condemned apartment block. The decrepit building became ‘underground central’, as artists…
reviewed
-
F
Vanity
Vanity has been around for more than a decade, opening boutiques inside the city's finer hotels and shopping centres. But in 2007, this name in fashion became a name in architecture, dining and culture. Vanity's latest endeavour is its largest store yet, housed in a modern structure of glass and steel, tucked in behind Kazan Cathedral. Everything here is jaw-dropping gorgeous, from the all-designer-all-the-time fashions for sale, to the perfectly-coiffed beauties selling them.
Be sure to stop by the 5th-floor Terrassa for a cocktail or a coffee before you hit your credit limit.
reviewed
-
G
Wild Orchid
Underwear is yet another measure of Russia’s amazing transition to capitalism. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all, baggy cotton briefs; sensational, sexy lingerie is on sale all over St Petersburg (and often modelled by women on the street). This top-of-the-line store carries lingerie by European designers that is devastatingly sensual (and devastatingly expensive). There are several other outlets around town, including one in Grand Palace and one on the Petrograd Side.
reviewed
-
H
Kisselenko Fashion Salon
Designer Lilia Kisselenko uses sublimely simple fabrics to create women’s clothing that is at once linear and flatteringly feminine. This is a name to watch out for – she’s not quite flashy enough to appeal to the New Russian nouveau riche (who don’t care for Russian products anyway), but rather caters to connoisseurs with a discerning eye and upper-class fashion sensibility. If you like this place, check out Kisselenko’s other boutique, Defile.
reviewed
-
I
Bon Vin
With low ceilings and exposed brick, this little wine cellar is an atmospheric place to pick out a bon vin. There is no shortage of grands crus and pricey reserves if you are shopping for a special occasion, but head to the sale rack in the centre of the store for excellent French, Spanish and Italian wines that you can afford to drink every day. There is another outlet in Smolny and one on the Petrograd Side.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Bukle
The collection of Lyudmila Mezentsevaya, called Vereteno, is on display at this little café-cum-boutique. It’s not so outrageous – but no less creative – as some other Russian fashion. On sale is mostly casual wear, including T-shirts, skirts, sweaters, scarves, handbags and watches, all with an innovative twist. For shoppers who are not worried about squeezing into a miniskirt, there is an outlet of Gogol-Mogol on site.
reviewed
-
K
Bustier
Underwear is yet another measure of Russia’s amazing transition to capitalism. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all, baggy cotton briefs; sensational, sexy lingerie is now on sale all over Moscow. Several top-of-the-line stores stock European designer lingerie that is devastatingly sensual and devastatingly expensive. Bustier is more moderately priced, but also features classy French and Italian styles. One of many outlets around town.
reviewed
-
L
Chapurinbar
Fashion maven Igor Chapurin got his start designing theatre costumes, but his creativity knows no bounds: in addition to men’s and women’s clothing, he has a line of children’s clothing and sportswear. Following in the footsteps of Denis Simachyov, he has opened a boutique with a hip club to accompany it. Set on two storeys, the place was designed by Chapurin himself and furnished with elements of the Chapurincasa line.
reviewed
-
M
Chocolate Museum - City Centre
Despite the misnomer, this place is not a museum. While you are welcome to come inside to peruse the artistic pieces, it is unlikely you will leave without procuring your very own chocolate chess set or chocolate 'Fabergé' egg. This outlet is in the basement of the Stroganov Palace, but there are others inside Gostiny Dvor and Passage . So rest assured, you'll have no trouble finding that chocolate bust of Vladimir Ilych.
reviewed
-
N
Podarky, Dekor & Podarky
For quirky, clever souvenirs, stop by this network of artists’ cooperatives. Each outlet has a different name, but the goods are more or less the same: uniquely Russian gifts such as artist-designed tapki (slippers) and hand-woven linens. Most intriguingly, artist Yuri Movchan has invented a line of funky, functional fixtures (lights, clocks, etc) made from old appliances and other industrial discards.
reviewed
-
O
Plyos Embassy
Plyos is a town on the Volga River, celebrated as the inspiration for Isaak Levitan, Russia’s greatest landscape artist. This little gallery acts as the town’s unofficial representative in St Petersburg, exhibiting landscape paintings by local and national artists. While the work is not particularly innovative, it is indeed beautiful, capturing the most magnificent moments in the Russian countryside.
reviewed
-
P
Detsky Mir
At the time of writing Children’s World was closed for a complex and highly controversial renovation project. Developers have promised not to alter the building’s art deco exterior, which is considered a Moscow landmark. But the interior will be completely revamped, with the addition of underground parking, an internal atrium, a multiplex cinema and a family-focused entertainment zone. Stay tuned.
reviewed
-
Q
Natalie Kvasova
When it comes to winter hats, Russian fashion really comes into its own. Nowhere in the world are women so expressive with their headgear as on the snowy streets of St Petersburg and Moscow. The designs of Natalie Kvasova are up there with the best of them, sporting feathers and fur, bows and brims. This boutique also carries a small selection of fur coats and wraps warm enough to get you through any winter.
reviewed
-
R
Parfionova
Tatyana Parfionova was the first St Petersburg couturier to have her own fashion house back in the 1990s, when the New Russians turned up their noses at anything that was not straight from Paris or Milan. Now this local celebrity showcases her stuff at her Nevsky pr boutique, where you’ll find her striking monochromatic prêt-à-porter designs as well as her famous crimson scarves.
reviewed
-
S
Imperial Porcelain
This famous factory has an outlet shop on site, where you get anything from the company catalogue at prices lower than in the department stores. You’ll also find a branch of the Hermitage here. From the metro, turn left (east), walk under the bridge to the embankment, then left – the factory’s ahead. If you don’t want to drag yourself this far out, go to either of its city centre shops.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Soldier of Fortune
The extensive selection of guns and knives at this little shop is impressive, if a little frightening. Check out the knives with intricately carved handles; penknives straight out of James Bond; and machetes with names such as ‘Predator Axe’. The place also carries more mundane equipment like binoculars and water bottles, as well as all manner of camouflage clothing and military souvenirs.
reviewed
-
City Centre Shops
This famous factory has an outlet shop on site, where you get anything from the company catalogue at prices lower than in the department stores. You’ll also find a branch of the Hermitage here. From the metro, turn left (east), walk under the bridge to the embankment, then left – the factory’s ahead. If you don’t want to drag yourself this far out, go to either of its city centre shops.
reviewed
-
U
Sportivny on Liteyny
This is a huge store selling sports clothes, running shoes, camping and hunting equipment, skis and even the occasional mosquito-net hat (which could come in handy in the city, even if it looks a tad odd!). With an excellent selection (including Russian and imported products) and competitive pricing, this sports shop is a great place for active types to stock up for their urban or outdoor adventures.
reviewed
-
V
Rive Gauche
Yves Saint-Laurent does not seem to mind that this Russian company has stolen the name of its well-known perfume and used it to set up an extensive network of shops selling brand-name cosmetics. With more than 30 shops around the city, you’re never far from a new bottle of Chanel No 5. There are additional outlets near pl Vosstaniya and on the Petrograd Side.
reviewed
-
W
Stockmann
Once a lifeline for foreign residents, this Finnish department store is now hardly distinguishable from its Russian counterparts. Nonetheless, it’s not a bad place to shop for clothing, homewares and other miscellany, even though it’s not exactly the same stuff you would find in Helsinki. At the time of research, a huge new Stockmann department store was being built at pl Vosstaniya.
reviewed