Belgrade is known as an open city that offers artists and creatives a flourishing in all fields. The mighty palaces, wide avenues and historic buildings bear witness to the history that manifests itself in every moment.
Their tradition and metropolitan spirit draw attention to themselves at every step. The city offers many creative outposts, art galleries, designer shops and boutiques, hotels, bars and clubs.
"Design is the key and successful design combines three main components, which are idea, emotion and creation. And that is BDD.”
Shopping Center Čumić's juice, which experienced its peak and glory in the 90s of the last century, but then went out of business, faded away and fell apart during the Milosevic regime, protests and war, has an interesting history. The first shopping center in the capital was built here in the 1930s, which was a real fascination for the residents at that time. It experienced great success at the beginning of the 90s, when it offered products from commercial brands that were considered prestigious at the time. The two-story center was booming, business was flowing. For comparison, then in Ljubljana we have not yet experienced this kind of world of commercial brands in one place. He served us with this BTC in abandoned halls much later. Then came the sad, tumultuous years that brought riots and war, so the mall languished and decayed for more than ten years. The price of empty bars fell, which young designers took advantage of. A group of more than 20 young, unestablished designers from Belgrade organized themselves, united and leased 15 bars, thus allowing the once famous center to come back to life. On November 1, 2010, a renovated, once famous shopping center was opened, renamed to Choomich Design District.
New skin
In the implementation, they followed the idea of two initiators, Bojan Milisavljević and Marko Nenadić, who create under the brand Punkuffer. With their idea, they wanted to follow all major world cities with a street, an avenue, representing young domestic designers. That's why the two local designers, who didn't know how to start their professional journey, united in one story. The renovated shopping center brings together various designers and artists in one place, who themselves arranged and renovated all the bars. Most of the shops are occupied by fashion designers, there are a few designer shops that sell recycled DUB antiques and vintage redesigned Remake porcelain, and recently the renowned designer Slavimir Stojanović opened his shop with the FUTRO brand. Leading the way are artists or designers who have been trying to make their name a brand for many years. It's together today 36 brand or design names, such as: No Brothers No Sisters ‒ Tijana Pavlov, SetreS, Budislava Keković, Ana Ljubinković, Remake (Jovana Božović and Antea Arizanović), Dejan Despotović, Marija Stanišić, Tamara Radivojević, Atelje Alternativa ‒ Daniela Glišić & Tijana Cvetković, Damsel in distress ‒ Lingerie ‒ Olga Marković, Imi, Studio Prostor, Punkuffer, Get Up ‒ Jasmina Vujović, Peđa Nerić, Fundus, Emilija Petrović, Vladimir Stojanović, Galerija Masniković, DUB, Iskra, Modle ‒ Aleksandra Lalić & Vesna Kracanović, DNK, Leonora and GRQ , Atippi, Delusion, Dejana Ivanišević & Damir Trtovac, Principessa Ana, Fashion Victim ‒ Rename, Ivana Murišić, Greška, Leila Ennetah, Futro. On the first anniversary of the first Serbian design city, they were also supported by the assembly of the city of Belgrade and the mayor of the city, which gave the authenticity and potential of this concept greater importance. On this occasion, they also changed the name of the center from Choomich Design District to Belgrade Design District (BDD).
Design city
BDD is not a classic shopping mall, in an architectural sense, it is of an open type, as it functions as a neighborhood. But their thinking is also open, because they do not know scheming and jealousy, so independent fashion designers in BDD they also accept new creatives, but they do not know the selection. BDD is a place where you can also meet designers, as quite a few of them also create in their stores. The entire center breathes in the rhythm of creativity, each shop is different, depending on the poetics of the designer who furnished it. The offer ranges from fashion clothing, jewellery, linen, home accessories to works of art. Art galleries, interior studios and bars also create a special atmosphere. They often organize events, shopping nights, celebrate Valentine's Day, March 8, Christmas and New Year, BDD's birthday on November 1, and they also feel a duty to humanitarian causes and collect money for children in an orphanage. We can often meet animals at BDD, as Tijana Pavlov, who is not only an animal lover, but also an active activist, also works in the aforementioned design collective. Therefore, homeless dogs or cats are wanted in BDD. Considering that they are located on the tourist map of Belgrade, they are also visited by many tourists. If we ever go to Belgrade, let's remember BDD. While walking through the center, go across Trg Republike, past the Palace of Albania, along Makedonski Street and find the entrance to Belgrade Design District. It stands opposite the Moskva Hotel...
Plan: where to shop, eat, go out for a drink or spend the night?
1. PullMy Daisy is a 2nd hand shop that takes us to the inventions of designers that we haven't had the chance to see until now. It is a pleasure to mingle among jewelry, records, authentic clothing collections, handmade jewelry, special collections of fashion accessories and rare editions of magazines and newspapers.
2. Pinjunky is the brand name of Aleksander Topić, who studies graphic communication and works in graphic design, photography, t-shirt and brooch design. His favorite fashion accessory has always been these, which is why he dedicated his brand to them with all his love. The first collection contains 15 sets, and all of them are graphically strong, which is not surprising given the author's background.
3. Supermarket concept store is a city within a city. It is a place where fashion, design, music, publishing, art and gastronomy come together. A must-see for all creatives and the visually hungry. This is followed by pampering in a restaurant, shop, beauty corner, wine bar, spa, flower shop or art corner. The first concept store in Belgrade opened in November 2008.
4. Lifedesign hotel is located in the very center of the city, just a few minutes' walk from the pedestrian zone, the famous Knez Mihajlov Street, the National Museum and the National Theater, Kalemegdanski Park, the Belgrade Fortress and the old bohemian quarter of Skadarlija. 46 rooms and 6 luxury suites are designer furnished, and after a busy day you can treat yourself to pampering in the beauty and spa center or with selected specialties in the restaurant.
5. Designer's House will attract fashionistas looking for creations by local designers. The fashion store in the heart of the city offers products by designers Vladimir Lazarević, Dejan Momčilović, Danko Karović, Jovan Marković, Deerspotter, Katarina Vučetić, Tijana Žunić, Iva Bošković and others in a luxuriously furnished ambience.
6. Superquart is a new shopping zone that stretches across Kralja Petra, Uzun Mirkovu and Zmaja od Noćaj streets. It is occupied by fashion studios, boutiques, exclusive perfumeries, hair salons and popular bars. While visiting Belgrade, we also take time to walk through the boutiques of Irene Grahovac, Suzane Perić, Fratelli Rossetti, Distante, Pinko, Quadro, Patrizia Pepe, Graffiti, Alta Moda, Euromoda, IT plus, shoes Opačić, Inglot, Metropolitan, Style at home, WannaBE and toy, Metodo Rossano Ferretti, Gaston, Bar Central, Pub Eleven and Elixir juice bar.
7. Belgrade Art Hotel will tempt everyone who feels good in a modern, boutique interior style. It is located in the heart of the city and Kneza Mihajlova Street, just a few minutes' walk from cultural and historical buildings. We can choose from four different types of rooms, all of which are furnished in a sophisticated Italian style.
8. The Idiot Club has become a popular place for young artists of all stripes. They mainly play music from the 80s, rock, new wave and electronic music. In the summer, the gathering moves to the beautiful terrace, which is small but very pleasant.
9. Plateau Pub it is in the building of the Faculty of Philosophy, where supporters of major protests in the 1990s gathered. Nowadays, we can have coffee on the terrace during the day, and enjoy listening to a jazz concert in the evening. The drink is a bit more expensive than in other bars in Belgrade, but the location, charm and tradition prevail and justify the price. They also offer food, which is served in the Plato restaurant.
