While generally speaking, the luxury fashion industry is experiencing something of a downward trend with a lapse in creativity and skyrocketing prices; the avant-garde movement seems to be leading a renewed charge, pushing the boundaries of style and innovation, forging new alliances with big brand collaborations (i.e., Rick Owens x Birkenstock), while incubating a new batch of talent in places like Instagram and Ap0cene.
Offering pieces that break the mold in a world where quiet luxury and “stealth wealth” are the norm (and let’s be honest: just overly loquacious ways to say boring), these spaces marry exceptional fashions from experimentalists like Ann Demeulemeester, Julius, and CDG with stunning interior design laced with an eclectic international appeal.
From industrial spaces in Europe’s London, Florence, and Lyon to minimalistic boutiques in Singapore, Mexico, and beyond, these are the best hidden avant-garde boutiques to visit in 2025. Let’s go shopping!
Avant Garde Shopping in Asia
OCD, Singapore
6 Scotts Road #01-04/05 Scotts Square, Singapore 228209
The glass facade at OCD Singapore (inside the Scotts Square Shopping Mall) acts as a perfect viewing portal to the cement-colored walls within. The interiors are like earth reimagined, all-natural colors and materials with unnatural straight edges and right angles, juxtaposed with black rails filled with sleek streetwear and structural ready-to-wear from brands like RTA, GCDS, Heliot Emil, and Ziggy Chen.
The space feels luxurious and conceptual, with high ceilings and see-it-all lighting perfectly showcasing contemporary silhouettes from Helmut Lang and Yang Li as well as futuristic buys from global megastars like Nike and Rick Owens.
VASS, Seoul
3-18, Dokmak-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea 04049
Blackened brick walls with metallic railings hung from the ceiling welcome visitors to Seoul’s beautiful VASS store. The clothes, though, are more eclectic, with furs, faux and not, mingling with acid-stained leathers, luscious prints, and a bank vault worth of accessories. But while eclectic, the offering here is all about reclaimed fashion.
So expect to find vintage pieces from European ready-to-wear brands alongside little-known Korean and Asian designers, as well as labels long forgotten by the fashion world. The in-store styling is a treat. Think vintage Dior Sunglasses styled with nameless woolen scarves and oversized 90s streetwear trailing from mannequins.
The R +MORE, Osaka
1-5-25 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
The vast minimalist-industrial interiors of The R are brought to life by statement pieces from FORME d’expression, Uma Wang, and nude:masahiko maruyama hanging from the ceiling and hanging over rails in thick layers of black and grey.
The R stocks a massive roster of international avant-garde talent alongside local Japanese labels across clothing, accessories, jewelry, and perfumes. But shoe and sneaker shoppers should cross the road to seek out the slightly more hidden Fascinate Annex (near Osaka’s Shinsaibashi Station) for a selection that spans everything from Adidas to Pierre Hardy and Kamiya in a spot popular with Osaka’s various fashion-forward tribes.
Avant Garde Fashion Concept Stores in Europe
Société Anonyme + MORE, Florence
Via Giovan Battista Niccolini, 3/F, 50126 Firenze FI, Italy
So often cast in Milan’s shadow, Florence remains, in our opinion, one of the best shopping destinations in Europe, particularly for anyone seeking avant-garde and independent labels. The goto boutique will likely remain the excellent Luisa Via Roma (who recently opened a new flagship in New York), just steps from the Duomo, whose buy has become something of a mishmash of established designer labels, streetwear, and luxury home furnishings in recent years.
And while the highly regarded PN/P (once a bastion of dark-edged fashion and up-and-coming designers) has left Firenze’s cobbled lanes, boutiques like Société Anonyme are filling in the gaps. Expect plenty of Margiela sub-label MM6 alongside Henrik Vibskov and Comme Des Garçons. Société Anonyme’s eponymous label promises a Dada-infused vision, free of traditional constraints, and — for those looking for something local — it’s produced entirely in Florence.
Le Block By Solis, Lyon
7 Quai Jules Courmont, 69002 Lyon, France
A moment from the river in Lyon’s beautiful Les Cordeliers district, Le Block By Solis offers a collection of brands that effortlessly strides the divide between mainstream minimalism and contemporary streetwear. Pieces from Junya Watanabe and Undercover are presented with Ami Paris and Maison Mihara Yasuhiro, forming a cohesive buy that rarely crosses into the alternative sphere. Instead, Le Block By Solis opts for accessibility and a well-rounded style that fits the store’s minimalist backdrop superbly.
While Le Block By Solis operates normal hours from Tuesday to Saturday, Mondays are by appointment only — and a perfect opportunity to snipe a little advice from the style-forward staff.
L’Éclaireur, Paris
40 Rue de Sévigné, Paris, France
Stunning for four decades, L’Éclaireur in Paris is a bit of a star to those in the know. Always ahead of the curve, L’Éclaireu is known for its ever-evolving interiors and conceptual displays that are as much art gallery as they are boutique. Accessories and perfumes line the aesthetically stunning wall displays painted in a Margiela-esque white, with bags and bottles slotted between high-definition photography, video, and modular furniture.
The brands evolve with the times, of course, but expect to shop the likes of 8 Sircus, Haider Ackermann, and Boris Bidjan Saberi, designers who are redefining the art of luxury with an avant-garde twist.
UJNG, London
77 Redchurch St, London E2 7DJ, UK
London fashion is legendary. As such, every local has their go-to store. Traditionally, Soho hid many of London’s independent boutiques, and while there are still some options (i.e., Closet Case for menswear), we find that the further East you go, the more interesting the fashion gets.
A staple for more than a decade is LN-CC, whose art-forward interiors just off Kingsland Road offer a touch of the experiential to the shopping experience. But UJNG (close to the vintage haven that is Brick Lane) is arguably a tighter, more focused shopping experience full of conceptual pieces with an East-meets-West sensibility.
It begins with the minimalist, industrial interiors, where modern silhouettes from a surprising buy that matches structured European looks to minimalist Asian design are offered draped on whitewashed walls. Well-known brands like Issey Miyake and Yume Yume are well-presented, but the rarer finds are hidden in smaller labels like Malaysia’s Joe Chia and China’s Ziggy Chen.
Allotment Store, Leeds
Unit 16 Central Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6DX, UK
With the recent unceremonial closure of Manchester’s legendary Hervia store (an investor gone awry by all reports), England’s midlands vanguard is moving north to Leeds’ Allotment Store. Hidden within the contemporary Central Arcade, Allotment has a staggering Rick Owens buy for such a small shop, paired with an international roster of brands like 11 by Boris Bidjan Saberi, Ann Demeulemeester, and Guidi.
Everything at Allotment has a dark, modern goth edge (suitable as Leeds is said to be the birthplace of the music genre), and the clothes are perfectly offset against the cold rustic interiors of the store. There’s a personality infused here, too, given by the owner, Sol, who hand-selects each piece, leading to a buy that is perhaps somewhat narrow in focus — almost everything is black — but all the better for it.
Materium, Tbilisi
18 Tamar Chovelidze St, Tbilisi, Georgia
Located in the Vera district — home to the modernist Bridge of Peace, Materium’s focus is on rich textures, enhanced by a monochromatic palette of European and Asian designers. This space is dark and minimalist, and yet it oozes comfort, providing a stunning spot to shop with sofas and a rotating playlist of new music.
Highlights at Materium include the space-age backpacks by Cote et Ciel, the fluid silhouettes expertly crafted by Rundholz, and Tokyo’s The Viridi-Anne. But expect to shop everything from DRKSHDW by Rick Owens to Sean Suen and DetaJ.
Unfortunately, HEVN in Oslo has closed its doors. This beloved boutique was known for its sustainable avant-garde collections and commitment to ethical fashion.
Avant Garde Designer Shops in The Americas
Kasuri, Hudson
1 Warren St. Hudson, NY, 12534, United States
Kasuri recently celebrated its 10th year in its ever-so-slightly surprising Hudson home. Walk through the door from the comparatively pedestrian street beyond the door, and you’re greeted by colorful Noir Kei Ninomiya dresses and long Yamamoto coats popping with heavily contrasting prints, as well as walls of chunky footwear from Rick Owens and Bernard Willheim.
The space, while dedicated to what the owners call “post-avant-garde,” is a haven for fashion-lovers seeking boundary-pushing pieces most often found in Tokyo, Paris, or London, and is a meeting place for the local fashion and art communities — with convivial evenings dedicated to film screenings and fundraisers.
Self Edge, San José del Cabo
Privada Sin Nombre S/N, S/N, Animas Bajas, 23407 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Having established an enviable presence in the USA, in cities such as San Francisco, Portland, Los Angeles, and New York, Self Edge’s newest addition crosses the border to scenic San José del Cabo, to draw from local inspirations: the beaches, dunes, sunsets and smokey Mexican Mezcal.
The theme is the same as ever: an international catalog of brands (including Japanese brands unavailable anywhere else in Mexico) brought together to showcase the best of denim and leather. But here in Mexico, expect to find a healthy curation of summer staples, as well as vintage-style workwear, and a smattering of Mexican brands, too, all curated in a store that’s equal parts beach shack and art space.
Best Fashion Stores & Designer Boutiques in the World 2025
Asia
- OCD, Singapore: 6 Scotts Road #01-04/05 Scotts Square, Singapore 228209
- VASS, Seoul: 3-18, Dokmak-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea 04049
- The R +MORE, Osaka: 1-5-25 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan
Europe
- Société Anonyme, Florence: Via Giovan Battista Niccolini, 3/F, 50126 Firenze FI, Italy
- Le Block By Solis, Lyon: 7 Quai Jules Courmont, 69002 Lyon, France
- L’Éclaireur, Paris: 40 Rue de Sévigné, Paris, France
- UJNG, London: 77 Redchurch St, London E2 7DJ, UK
- Allotment Store, Leeds: Unit 16 Central Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6DX, UK
- Materium, Tbilisi: 18 Tamar Chovelidze St, Tbilisi, Georgia
The Americas
Self Edge, San José del Cabo: Privada Sin Nombre S/N, S/N, Animas Bajas, 23407 San José del Cabo, B.C.S., Mexico
Kasuri, Hudson: 1 Warren St, Hudson, NY, 12534, United States
