Sometimes it feels like globalization has made shopping in the developed world so homogenized. No matter what city you visit, you know you’ll find an H&M, Zara, Gap and Urban Outfitters. Don’t get me wrong, I do my fair share of chain store shopping, but I’m always on the search for something unique. Remember Falsi Gioielli in Florence? Well, The Red Door Gallery in Edinburgh is kind of like that. Unlike Falsi Gioielli, it’s not hard to find. It’s located in a very touristy area in Edinburgh and I love to visit it every time I’m in town.
It’s a tiny shop/gallery, but it’s chock-a-block with British-made prints, pins, paper goods, jewelry, pillows, and cards. Lar and I bought matching-ish necklaces by Lucie Ellen (check out here Etsy shop here) a few weeks ago and I wear mine almost every day. I also have a couple of prints from The Red Door Gallery framed in my house.
I would have taken even more photos of the interior but the shop was so crowded that I couldn’t get a decent shot without someone’s head moving into view. Ah well. I suppose that means you just have to visit yourself to see what it’s like.
Lar also introduced me to Flux in Leith. I stupidly forgot to take pictures there, but you can check out their brightly-colored website here.
Hi Cath
I luuurve our Red Door Gallery necklaces — I can’t wait to wear them together in Atlanta!
It’s definitely one of the shops (and Flux too!) I’ll miss most in Edinburgh. Though I’ll probably avoid it before I go because it will be mobbed by Festival crowds.
xoxox,
Lar
I absolutely agree with this post though I do sometimes feel conflicted depending on how badly I want an item! When I’m travelling, I try to buy a piece of jewelry that reminds me of the place I’m visiting thinking that it’ll be unique, only to get home and find it available at Anthropologie or Zara. I know that people do have similar ideas, but there’s something special about finding a store that carries one of a kind pieces.
On the other hand, it’s also great to find the exact piece that you saw on a random stranger hundreds of miles from home. Needless to say, I’m always hemming and hawing over whether or not I should buy something, lol.
That sounds like a great spot. I really liked Curiouser and Curiouser on Broughton Street for some cool local stuff. I found a (not made locally, but still) Edinburgh map for my kiddo there that was waterproof and crinkle proof. It was perfect. He seriously can’t keep anything folded. I love local stuff, though, so I will check this out.