Shop ’til you drop in Bilbao

To see why Bilbao’s reputation for design genius extends beyond the striking Guggenheim Museum, take a tour of this fashion-forward city’s hidden boutiques and concept stores. Here Spanish stylist and fashion writer María León Castillejo shares eight of her favourites

Persuade

The arty, avant-garde Persuade is like a Spanish version of the Old Curiosity Shop, featuring clothes from Yohji Yamamoto, Dries Van Noten and Issey Miyake, plus a wide selection of Chinese antiques and original furniture from the 1950s and 1960s.

S’ad

Head to this uber-modern boutique for striking, modern jewellery. Treasures to be found at Sa’d include minimalist pieces by local and international designers, specifically a selection of beautifully crafted rings.

Idrisi

Owned by a Belgian who arrived in Bilbao in 2000, Idrisi specialises in men’s luxury fashion. Inside the spacious shop you can find everything from suits to swimwear from brands including Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, Balenciaga and Marni.

Trimmer

Part boutique, part coffee shop, visit Trimmer (above) for printed silk scarves from Madrid brand SuTurno, jerseys and blouses by Masscob La Coruña, Ölend backpacks from Barcelona and the latest fashions from Spanish designer Steve Mono.

Bombasi Vintage Store

A rummage through this small space will reward you with vintage pieces from brands including Loewe, Max Mara, Christian Lacroix, Isabel Marant and Zadig & Voltaire. Bombasi also offers vintage furniture and crockery.

Veritas

What began as a children’s fashion retailer more than 45 years ago has become a respected women’s boutique with shop assistants who are known for their attentive, friendly and professional service.

Moca

Bold and quirky, Moca (above) has two stores – one dedicated to clothing and the other to accessories. The selection of international brands is impressive (Diane von Fürstenberg, Parosh, Tete by Odette) and there’s even a section for the fashion-conscious bride.

Arropame

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Bilbao since 2014, Arropame specialises in chic, fashion editor-style clothes. They are very active on social media too, updating daily on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

María León Castillejo