Apgujeong-dong / Cheongdam-dong / 압구정동 / 청담동

Brand junkies will love the main Apgujeong drag, but if you’re interested in up-comer Korean talent, check out Galleria dept. store / 3449 4114 /갤러리아 백화점 / (there are two stores next door to each other). In the west wing with the pearly discs, look for right-now labels Steve J & Yoni P, Push Button, Jain Song and Suecomma Bonnie; in the east wing, Miss Gee Collection (w) and other global luxuries await. Exit Galleria left, grab a cab straight on (or walk if you prefer for 20 mins of designer shops), and keep a peeper out for Gucci on your right. If you’re in the mood, at Gucci cross the street to wander through some of Seoul’s top art galleries in the Nature Poem building. Otherwise, take a right up the alley that’s immediately after Gucci, and then right again onto the street and you’ll hit Gourmet Eo / 3443 1970 / for buonissimo Italian eats on the right; plus Namuhana / 3442 7567 / namushoe.com / pedalling footwear beloved by local celebs. Further up, Boon The Shop Men (see Standout Stores) is a rather smart menswear boutique; next up is Sushimoto (see Rest./Smart), and bling to go at Chrome Hearts / 3443 0055. Exit left and at the crossroads is the huge polka-dotted glass edifice of Milanese fashion mecca 10 Corso Como / 547 3010 / with snazz resto and espresso. Continue past dessert café Queen’s Park (see Coffee) and turn right at Agent Provocateur to go all the way down the hill. Directly in front across the road is Rodeo St. for endless labels. Go straight past the T-junction and at the next intersection, with 24-hour Milk Bar /밀크포차 / on the corner, turn right. A few steps down on your left is mad hatter Kaori / 515 7996 / kaori.co.kr / for off the shelf or custom made millinery; next is fashion caff Fifty / 544 8050 / on the left. Now you’ll reach a fourway crossroads with W Concept Store / 546 3650 / on the right for bargain DVF, Jil Sander and Jinny Kim shoes; straight opp. is trendy makkeolli joint Moon Jar (see Rest./Relaxed). Turn left at the crossroads, then right at the next four-way junction for mod Korean eats at Jung Sikdang (see Rest./Smart). At the first T-way connecting Seolleungno 153-gil, peek into avant-garde atelier Manmade WooYoungMi (see Standout Stores) for the latest men’s runway apparel and up-and-coming contempo art, then carry on and turn right towards the park’s main gate. Past Ralph Lauren is Vecchia E Nuovo (see Lunch) if you need a quick breather and a recovery glass of bubbles.

Onto the last stretch, double back to the strip opposite Dosan Park for SK-II Boutique Spa (see Spa) and Maison Hermès Dosan Park, and while here why not pop in for swanky-hanky Musée Café Madang and Atelier Hermès? Finally, find Horim Art Center / 541 3525 / closed Sun / horimartcenter.org / at the end of the strip. Super shopper!