Shopping in Moscow is as varied and vibrant as in any other world capital, so forget any preconceptions you may have of bleak Soviet stores and long queues.

Moscow’s billionaires need places to spend their cash so the streets are packed with world-famous labels and designer boutiques. Some of the most exclusive areas include Tverskaya Street (including Kuznetsky Most, Stoleshnikov Lane and Tverskoy Boulevard), Petrovka Street and Kutuzovsky Prospect, where you’ll find a mixture of international brands and Russian designers.

GUM

One of the largest department stores in the world, GUM is as much an architectural marvel as a shopping center.

The name derives from an abbreviation of the Russian word for Main Universal Store, and GUM was once home to 1,200 shops, before it became nationalized after the 1917 revolution. Used as the headquarters for Stalin’s Five Year Plan, GUM was privatized after the fall of the Soviet Union and now features a large number of international brand outlets. But the pleasure in shopping at GUM comes from the grandeur of the building itself; its façade along Red Square is an impressive 794 feet and it has a glass ceiling designed by acclaimed architect Vladimir Shukhov.

BARVIKHA LUXURY VILLAGE

Located in the affluent area of Barvikha – to the west of Moscow – Barvikha Luxury Village is a high-end shopping center nestled among pine trees.

The idea behind the village was to create a shopping area that reflects the beautiful surrounding Russian countryside through the use of natural materials. Visitors will find some of the finest brands in the world, such as Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Chloe, Marni, Brioni, Kiton, Ermenegildo Zegna and Loro Piana, and even Harley Davidson and Ferrari outlets. Barvikha is also host to the famous Barvikha Sanatorium, a well-equipped medical center that has treated several Russian leaders.

CARA&CO

A concept store to rival Colette in Paris or 10 Corso Como in Milan, Cara&Co brings high-end fashion to Moscow, but with a difference.

Created with the idea of showcasing intellectual fashion, Cara&Co is a shop for people who are serious about clothes. Using the moto, ‘No Logos, Fashion Only’ Cara&Co features unique pieces of intricately designed clothing for those who are prepared to spend. Voted one of the top ten stores in the world in 2008 by the UK’s Observer newspaper, the shop also features a book zone, a vintage area and the Break zone, where customers can take time out from flexing their plastic and view the art and photography on show.

DENIS SIMACHEV

A shop and restaurant by day, a bar and disco by night, Denis Simachev is a unique destination store located in Stoleshinkov Perulok – the most luxurious street in Moscow.

The restaurant features booths designed as toilet stalls, and this eccentricity continues with the designs in the shop. Simachev has earned a reputation for his innovative, bizarre and often comical designs, which include classical Russian military uniform imitations and former president Vladimir Putin’s head surrounded by roses. A firm favorite with Russia’s social elite looking for eye-catching pieces to define their individuality.

Fashion & Accessories

Jewelry & Watches