Fashion designers have developed their own creative universe that speaks of the particular character of Dublin. The city values the craftsmanship of artisans such as Róisín Pierce, who showed her collection at Paris Fashion Week, and Jessica Brennan (@jessica_brennan_design on Instagram), who has dressed starts like Sza. Brennan makes wonderful custom pieces and reworks existing garments from her studio, near Temple Bar, at Flux Dublin, a cultural hub that provides workspaces for artists and boasts some of the city’s top courses and workshops. Brennan's designs can be found at The Digital Hub market on the last Sunday of every month from 11am to 5pm, in front of the popular Guinness Storehouse, and at Monto Vintage on Parnenll Street, the perfect place to discover the essence of the Irish fashion scene. Temple Bar is, by the way, where you will find the best shops in the city, with options for all tastes. Next to The Westbury hotel, Irish luxury and workmanship come together at the Westbury Mall, with brands such as Stable of Ireland, an incredible boutique that works the country’s finest textiles into classic collections, or Parfumarija, a perfumery specialising in niche fragrances. The most alternative of tastes will appreciate Rebirth of Cool, a paradise of the mod aesthetic, and the colourful Om Diva, a must for getting to know some of the top emerging Irish designers, such as Aisling Duffy, Laoise Carey and Emily Bourke. 

Dublin is also one of the most interesting cities in Europe for vintage and second-hand designs – a universe with a very special style that has yet to be taken over by the big trends. The best-known shop is Nine Crows. With an aesthetic very similar to Om Diva, it has two locations in Dublin: Nine Crows Vintage, neighbour of Rebirth of Cool, the main store where you can find the best designer pieces of the 1990s and 2000s, and Nine Crows Thrift Shop, with a more urban vision and second-hand treasures for a younger audience. Another favourite among fashionistas is Tola, also in Temple Bar and again divided into two locations, with Vintage and Designer sections, the latter famous for its selection of bags. The city’s classics are Lucy’s Lounge (open on weekends), with more than 40 years of history, and Dublin Vintage Factory. With a more 1980s aesthetic, it is considered the mecca of vintage fashion lovers in the city.

Dublin has a remarkable flea market culture. Every Saturday, the Designer Market is held on Cows Lane, one of the best-known streets of Temple Bar, organised by @Lovetemplebar, an initiative that brings together and celebrates the neighbourhood's artists and creatives. They are also in charge of The Revival Night Market in Temple Bar Square, which takes place every Thursday from 2pm to 8pm and where you can find designers and artisans such as the aforementioned Jessica Brennan. Nearby shops include Scout, a boutique featuring interesting Irish brands of decoration, clothing, cosmetics and stationery and which includes a selection of design publications and magazines, as well as a collection of international brands. Another great flea market is Howth Market, located in the fishing village of the same name just outside Dublin, considered one of the most popular destinations for an excursion to see large cliffs and even spot seals. Howth Market brings together antiques, jewellery and gifts, as well as freshly baked traditional Irish food. Back in the heart of the city, one of the most striking spots is Powerscourt Centre, a large 1774 Georgian house turned into a retail hub of boutiques, antique dealers and luxury shops. Inside, visit Kennedy & McSharry – Dublin’s oldest menswear establishment – the So Fine Art Editions art gallery, ring-specialist jeweller Commins & Co and food venues such as 2210 Patisserie.

In terms of design and decoration, Dublin has welcomed many interesting new projects in recent years. An independent initiative, April and the Bear has become a flagship for interior design across Ireland. In its catalogue, featuring national studios and workshops, you can find everything from large designer furniture to decorative details such as candles or wallpaper. A visit to the Designist gift shop is the perfect opportunity to take away an even more special souvenir of Dublin, and explore Industry & Co, the Irish capital’s largest independent design platform, importing pieces from markets such as Japan and the Americas. The shop includes a café where you can enjoy cakes and snacks accompanied by speciality coffee, a section dedicated to children’s rooms and even a jewellery space.

And finally, we can’t forget the bookstores of this Unesco City of Literature, a title that Dublin has held since 2010. Hodges Figgis stands out for being not only the oldest bookstore in Ireland (it opened in 1768), but also for being the third oldest in the world still in operation. An icon of Dublin literary life, today it is located at 56-58 Dawson Street, very close to Trinity College. It has special editions of some books, such as James Joyce’s Ulysses, in which the bookstore itself appears. The crowning text of Irish literature greets us again at Ulysses Rare Books, a top destination on Duke Street for collectors. Old editions of works signed by Oscar Wilde, Brendan Behan or Joyce himself await here, as well as a curated selection of 20th-century literature and maps from the 17th century onwards. Special mention should be made of the independent bookshop Books Upstairs, which began its journey in 1978 on the top floor of a hairdressing salon (hence its name) with the aim of supporting the most alternative Irish intellectuals. Having resided in various locations throughout the city, today Books Upstairs is located at 17 D’Olier Street, in a striking Georgian building that continues to house one of the most special literary and cultural offerings in all of Dublin.