Zürich is a city where craftsmanship still matters — from hand-blocked hats and Japanese denim to galleries that treat art like quiet poetry. Wander its cobblestone streets and you’ll find style that feels lived-in, not seasonal, and cafés where espresso comes with a side of cultural intelligence. This guide brings together the places, people and pieces that define Zürich’s understated elegance — the IRMASWORLD way.
1. BUBA STUDIO
A softly lit wooden cabinet displays hand-blocked felt hats in shades from pistachio to dusty rose — each piece made in Zürich with old-world millinery craft. The shapes feel timeless, somewhere between Parisian elegance and alpine chic. A perfect stop if you want to leave Zürich with something truly wearable and artisanal.
BUBA Studio is currently hosting two Bulgarian artists. Duka15/11 specialises in handmade shoes, and Dulsineja in handmade hats. Visit this niche ceramic studio to find exceptional pieces, or perhaps even a Christmas gift.
A serene white cube of a shop where Zürich’s emerging designers meet slow-made objects, like Nicole Sauter’s hand-crocheted vases and bowls. The pieces feel as tactile as a winter knit, yet sculptural enough for a design collector’s shelf. Come for the craftsmanship, stay for the quiet beauty of everything on display.
One of Zürich’s leading contemporary galleries presents a poetic installation where a monumental cotton plant floats mid-room, suspended like a botanical dream. The show blurs natural history, memory and material politics with delicate precision. A must-see if you like art that is both visually arresting and intellectually layered.
4. DUKA
BUBA Studio is currently hosting two Bulgarian artists. Duka15/11 specialises in handmade shoes, and Dulsineja in handmade hats. Visit this niche ceramic studio to find exceptional pieces, or perhaps even a Christmas gift.
5. STYLE SPOT:
Bright cobalt, soft wool and neutral trousers — Zürich style at its best: unfussy, colour-driven, and quietly sophisticated. The handmade felt hat is by Dulsineja, the jacket from the Jasmin Khezri Collection, proving local fashion can rival any European capital. A reminder that style here is all about textures, not trends.
6. Monocle Café
A ritual stop: order an espresso, pick up the latest Monocle issue and try their impossibly light flourless chocolate cake. The space feels like a global living room — part newsroom, part neighbourhood café. Ideal for a slow morning before diving into Zürich’s boutiques.
7. URS MEILE
A temporary space that feels more like an artist’s salon than a gallery, curated with precision and warmth. Expect emerging names, strong narratives and a crowd of collectors who know what’s next.
The Swiss designer Claudia Bertini is currently exhibiting her exquisite handmade collection of unique pieces at Urs Meile Gallery, a temporary space that feels more like an artist’s salon than a gallery. Expect emerging names, compelling narratives and a crowd of collectors who know what’s next. Visit until 8 November.
8. Tasoni
Zürich’s answer to Dover Street Market, but with a more intimate and editorial eye. The racks mix international labels with niche designers, making it impossible to leave without discovering a new favourite brand. A destination for those who love fashion as storytelling, not status.
9. VMC Denim
Think raw denim, tassel loafers, varsity knits and American heritage filtered through Swiss precision. VMC is the place for lovers of Japanese indigo, hand-stitched details and garments built to last decades. A treasure trove for anyone who prefers character over logos.