Modern comforts with a vintage soul

After spending months in lockdown, it’s inevitable that some Ibiza residents – not to mention the eager tourists who are set to arrive on our shores in July – are ready to make a change. For some, it might be a new career direction or embracing a new way of living. For others, a simple change of scenery can be like a breath of fresh air after staring at the same four walls for 12 weeks. And then there are those who want to freshen up their look after the extended time spent in yoga pants and hoodies. While the first option is up to the individual, Nicky Le Boedec-Lambley – owner and curator of Ibiza concept store Skandish – can help with the rest.

The eclectic chic Santa Gertrudis boutique has an overall feeling of homeliness about it. It captures the much-hyped feeling of hygge that the Danish are renowned for through a variety of beautiful collections all sourced by Nicky herself. These range from retro-chic homewares and luxurious organic beauty products to eco-friendly self-care items and stationery, plus soft, tactile and comfy clothing that is timeless, stylish and easy to wear. Walking into Skandish feels a little like stepping back in time – the vintage-inspired aesthetic is reminiscent of the 70s: a colour palette of rich earthy colours, offset with burnt orange, pastel pink and turquoise green. There’s something intensely comforting about the experience – and that’s exactly the type of feelgood ambience Nicky sought to create when she opened the store in 2018.

As the name suggests, the store is comprised of pieces that possess a British soul and sensibility or a Scandinavian aesthetic. Brands hail from both regions and are a testament to Nicky’s eye, and indeed, her travels. Fortunately, just prior to the lockdown restrictions being announced in Ibiza, Nicky had done all her seasonal buying which means that now it has re-opened, Skandish is full to the brim with beautiful new goodies for islanders to treat themselves to. “I always say the whole shop is a treat,” says Nicky, who has been happy to reconnect with her regular customers over the past weeks, as they’ve made a beeline for the boutique to give their homes and wardrobes a post-pandemic overhaul. “It’s a lovely feeling having that connection with someone. It starts when they’re a customer and you end up becoming friends – that’s the best part.”

If the thought of the endless handwashing, sanitising and moisturising (which we all know needs to continue) of the past months has you wringing your hands at the thought of soaping up yet again, Skandish offers a host of organic handwashes, soaps and lotions that feel truly luxurious as you lather up. Skandinavisk is a brand that fits particularly well into the shop’s ethos – founded by a Brit who fell in love with a Scandinavian – with its luxe bioplastic packaging (which can also be recycled after use) made from sustainably farmed sugarcane, soft comforting fragrances that have names like ‘LEMPI – Vintage love’ and ‘SKOG – calm of the boreal forest’, plus the very apt ‘ØY – Island solitude’. The brand’s candles make a 16 and 50-hour candles make a wonderful gift, whether for yourself or a friend – as do the British-made Plum & Ashby candles found on the adjacent shelves, with earthy scents like ‘Green Fig’, ‘Heather & Hay’, ‘Lemon & Ginger’ and more.

Another stand-out brand at Skandish is Evolve Organic Beauty – an English brand with a vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly approach. All Evolve products are handmade in small batches in the brand’s studio in the UK to ensure the extracts, oils and antioxidants in the products are as fresh as possible. From ‘Superfood Shine’ shampoo and conditioner, to ‘Skin Saviour’ body oil and polish, ‘Daily Detox’ facewash and even tinted SPF cream, its natural ethos fits right in with the positive changes we’re all hoping to see in the world. Other beauty must-haves Nicky has acquired include La Bruket body creams, face scrubs and creams by SHUI Botanicals (made right here in Ibiza) and frizz-taming Curly Ellie hair products. Personal care products by Truthbrushes (no prizes for guessing what that is), shaving brushes, hair brushes, nail brushes and even brooms by Swedish brand Iris Hantverk give the store even more eco-credentials – you can even find wooden scissors and a stapler for the home office!

HKliving is an accessibly priced Dutch brand that features prominently on the shelves at Skandish – predominantly through its homewares, beautifully presented in colourful stacks on a vintage hutch near the store counter. Spot ceramic pieces inspired by 70s kiln-fired dinnerware and mugs, in funky fun colour combos that can be mixed and matched, plus cool handblown glassware that at first glance appears decades old, but on closer inspection reveals the modern quality. Glassware and vases made by artisans for by NKUKU are the perfect complement, along with planters, tea pots and mugs that look as if they’ve been plucked from the set of The Partridge Family. Rugs, lamps, cushions and art are also prevalent throughout the store – it may be a small space, but it’s easy to get lost for hours perusing the shelves.

For those who are already out and about, enjoying the ‘new normality’ that the island’s bars and restaurants are currently offering – surely that’s as good an excuse as any for a new outfit. The rails at Skandish showcase a beautiful selection of patterned and monochrome dresses, retro-inspired shirts, kimono-esque wraps, stylish bikinis, wide-legged pants, light scarves that are ideal for chillier nights at this time of year, and more. Quality is key and the idea is that each piece can be worn for years to come – there are no fad trends or one-season wonders. Key brands include One Hundred Stars, Hod, Chloe Stora and Mapoesie among others, and for basics, it’s impossible to resist the stacks of ultra-soft, comfy cosy American Vintage pieces – the neutral colours make them easy to pair with the rest of your wardrobe, while the high quality fabrics make your feel as though you’ve been enveloped in a hug.

While the prices at Skandish are indeed accessible, for those seeking a bargain after the challenging past months, Nicky has a ‘sale rail’ placed opposite the new collections. Here you’ll find one-off pieces leftover from last summer, although to the untrained eye it’s impossible to identify them as ‘last season’ due to the timeless nature of the designs. At the rear of the store is the final piece of the Skandish puzzle: the ‘Nearly New’ section. This little pocket of pleasure offers, as the name suggests, unused, unworn or unwanted items sold on consignment for customers – obviously vetted by Nicky personally. Jewellery, kitsch décor, picture frames, designer clothes, handbags and more have been known to make the cut, adding yet another eco-conscious jewel to the already impressive Skandish crown. Whatever you’re seeking, however you’re feeling – you’ll find a way to treat it through retail therapy at Skandish.