Concept stores began popping up in the late 90s in European fashion capitals like Milan, Paris, and Berlin. Thus, the “boutique” was expanded to sell lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, and expensive knick-knacks. The shopping experience itself was broadened a little too, in order to make such shops comfortable places to spend time – perhaps installing an espresso machine, a couple of couches, and a site-specific artwork for “wow” purposes.

They could pop up in any location worldwide for a few months, satisfy a group of local hardcore connoisseurs, throw a few parties, and disappear as suddenly and mysteriously as they arrived.

Those are the nuts and bolts of the matter, so forgive me for sounding like the whole thing is a little passé. In fact, since then, the concept store has blown up worldwide and appears to have gone in two distinct directions. Firstly, chains like Urban Outfitters co-opted the idea and came up with the concept megastore, making use of large retail spaces and basically following the same lines but, by necessity, dropping the intimate, fashion community feel.

On the other hand, pioneers like the mystique-laden Japanese fashion house Comme des Garçons, took things even further underground, creating the so-called “guerrilla store” which could pop up in any location worldwide for a few months, satisfy a group of local hardcore connoisseurs, throw a few parties, and disappear as suddenly and mysteriously as they arrived. I must admit, the flair of these guys impresses me…

For those of you tempted to mix cappuccino with high fashion under the drooping tentacles of a Matthew Barney installation, here’s a selection of the world’s hottest concept stores at this moment. If you’re planning a visit, be quick! In fashion, one day you’re in, and the next…

10 Corso Como, Milan

The original and best. Pioneers of the trend and staunch defenders of the throne, a visit to 10 Corso Como is guaranteed to impress, period.

Helsinki 10, Helsinki

Nordic design has been on the yuppy shopping list for years now, but this fine establishment takes in only the most extreme exponents of that scene and puts them in context with the bleeding edge of world fashion. Worth a trip, for sure.

Tokyo CULTuART by Beams

An ambitious combination of gallery and boutique; if you want to see handmade Godzilla action figures selling for up to $7000, this is the place. What can I say? It’s the cutting edge.

Dover Street Market, London

I guess this is Comme des Garçons showing that they can do the style flagship store thing better than anyone else, though I have to say that anyone who used this place as their sole lifestyle inspiration might find themselves in a very strange place indeed.

Drey Walk, London

Not a store itself but rather a hotbed of fashion activity. In this hipster-mobbed alley you’ll find concept stores popping up and exploding into nothingness faster than zits. The world’s first concept record store is also close by, in the form of the newest branch of Rough Trade. Lattes and in-store Radiohead concerts are the norm these days.