It’s all man – sensual, sexy and not too taken by the concept of commitment. Darklands is a transient, ultra-luxury, über-cutting edge menswear boutique that plays a cheeky game of hide-and-seek by nomadically changing its address every few seasons. This time Darklands has swapped a seedily stylish ex-bordello on Gormannstraße for sleek minimalism on Steinstr. It’s just a few minutes away, but an entirely different experience.
Campbell McDougall, who opened his first store, Komakino, in Vancouver five years ago, relocated to Berlin in Summer 2008 – and brought with him a series of high-end designer brands like Carol Christian Poell, Julius, Augusta, Lumen et Umbra, MA+ and Goti. Darklands specialises in unique, handcrafted pieces made with innovative techniques, ideas and materials. An item by Carol Christian Poell, McDougall explains, is a piece of conceptual art. And it is priced accordingly: Poell’s clothing sells for €1,200 and up. Perhaps we should just look at the shop as if it were a gallery.
