There
are many boutiques in Eivissa, mainly concentrated in the area
between Plaza del Parque and the romantic alleyways of the harbour
quarter. But where can you find the best of hip Ibiza fashion?
Which stores are hot, which are not? Who knows better than a young
woman with a passion for fashion …
Ester
Muņņoz la Torra loves fashion. She is in her second year of studies
at the Escuela de Arte I Oficios in Eivissa. We took a walk with
the young Spaniard to find out where you can find the absolute
best of the best. On our boutique tour through the town Ester
showed us her favourite shops. She enjoys shopping and finds that
touring the romantic alleyways around Plaza del Parque and the
harbour quarter makes for an especially nice day sauntering about.
However, her absolute favourite place to shop is at the Sant Jordi
flea market. As a student, she has a limited budget and needs
to make the most of her hard earned euros. Really chic clothing
is expensive in Ibiza, so Ester finds bargains at the market and
changes or combines them with pieces of her own design.
It is the same with the clothing she stumbles upon in the small
boutiques. Improvisation and creativity can work wonders. Ester
believes that Ibiza offers a range of designs that are unique
the world over. Those who come to Ibiza have a lot of room to
play around and try new ideas. “There is a freedom here
unknown in the rest of Europe. People wear things on Ibiza that
they would never dare to at home!” Ester smiles.
Our shopping ramble starts near to the Plaza del Parque in the
Calle Cayetano Soler 7 in ‘Sol Porteño’. This
small boutique, in the hands of Argentinean Sandra, has been around
since 2002. The fashions that we see here are all designed by
her and husband Fernando. The work is produced in 
Argentina.
The fresh, bright colours are a joy to look at – turquoise,
red, yellow, orange... Flower patterns, stripes, squares or hand-painted,
all draped over hangers for trying on. ‰
Not to forget the fabulous boots, shoes and hand-bags in many
wonderful colours on display. In ‘Sol Porteño’
you can also buy unique pieces, so there is little chance that
you will attend a party and run into someone else in the same
outfit. The overall theme is Oriental and Italian. ‘Sol
Porteño’ is open all summer, from 11 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. and from 6 to 11 p.m.
Just across from ‘Teatro Pereira’ Ester brings us
to Alfonso Alcolea’s shoe shop ‘Lara’. The decoration
of the countless red roses catches our eyes from the street. Why
is Ester taking us here? She enjoys the mix of designer shoes
from Art, Bunker, DKNY (Donna Karan, New York) and Italian brands
alongside models that were created by Ibicencan designers.
“The ambience works” according to Ester. The shoe
shop has a nice range of both chic and comfortable. ‘Lara’
has been around for three years and is also a good stop for those
fashion-lovers whose pockets are not so deep. Special deals on
last year’s pairs help make both your feet and your purse
look good. This summer ‘Lara’ is also carrying accessories
like bags and belts. Be sure to ask saleslady Ursula for her help.
Just around the corner from the Montesol is another boutique worth
checking out. ‘Oddyty’ has a total of three branches
on the island, here, in Galería Europa and on Ignacio Wallis.
‘Oddyty’ sells up to date Italian designs. The labels
include Miss Sixty, Fornarina and Custo, and hats and caps are
also included. Our fashion expert Ester exclaims, “Dare
to do hats!” An extravagant hat or a cheeky cap 
makes
the outfit complete. “It’s like dotting your i's and
crossing your t’s, but it’s not been so ‘in’
over the past few years,” says Ester.
Ester, in her enthusiasm, wants to take us to the Calle de la
Virgen, but instead we make a quick jog to the old vegetable market
and to ‘Holala’. This second-hand shop offers an amusing
and daring range of fashions from Los Angeles, South America,
Japan and many European cities according to salesman Bruno.
This is a great place for the women and men to spend time searching
for perfect comfortable day clothes as well as an outfit for that
party night. The skin-coloured hip belt, which looks like an antique
corset, gets snatched up. Bruno has to show her, though, how to
get the darned thing on, and Ester plans to pair it with a skirt.
“The combination makes the sale,” laughs Ester. She’s
right, of course. ‘Holala’ is open during the summer
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to around 1 a.m.
Above all, please have a great time on your next shopping trip.
Next month’s issue we bring you even more fashion fun..
