The Five at Five: Charissa Chioccarelli

2 sept. 2021

From hidden-gems to places to people-watch, from bookshops to beauty spots – The Five at Five offers some post-lockdown inspiration that celebrates the independents.

This week’s selection has been curated by Berlin-based Charissa Chioccarelli, who founded and runs ISLA Berlin, a cool, contemporary creative hub for women in Berlin's Inselstraße.

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Charissa, a Netherlands native, said that ISLA Berlin all started because of nail art. “I love getting my nails done, but I couldn't find a good salon in Berlin where I was really happy with the result. At some point I thought to myself: If I have this passion, other women in Berlin will certainly feel the same way!”

Having moved to Berlin due to a job offer from Zalando, Charissa helped to set up the department for social media influencer marketing there, before launching her first venture, but ISLA was never just going to be about nails. “I didn't want to open a classic nail salon,” says Charissa. “I wanted to combine it with something I know more about. Since I had previously worked in the fashion industry, it made sense… I started with streetwear because I couldn't find a cool streetwear shop in Berlin that wasn't totally male-dominated. Then there was DJing – the idea behind it is that women in particular can come to us in the shop and practice.”

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FOR FOOD
There are so many amazing spots in [Berlin], but if I have to pick one for guaranteed good vibes and good food, it is the Tiny’s Pizza pop-ups.

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FOR PEOPLE-WATCHING
Probably my favourite spot in the city; Maybachufer. People come here to shop at the market, hang out after work, or go to one of the cute places around here.

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FOR BOOKS
For books, it has to be Do You Read Me?! in Mitte.

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FOR WELLNESS
I actually have a few wellness spots. For my facials I usually go to Wheadon. A beautiful spa I like is Vabali, but I also really love Sultan Hamam Berlin.

For my nails I go to ISLA Berlin, of course.

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FOR SHOPPING
When it comes to shopping, it’s definitely New York!