Central and Mayfair
Mayfair and Central form the designer clothes center of London. You can find every designer heavyweight here. The shopping streets, Oxford Street and Bond Street, are among the world’s most famous and visited, but the entire area is so packed with shops that you just have to start from one end, if you’re going up-scale shopping.
Stella McCartney
One of the country’s leading luxury designers, whose creations and shop you must see if you like great stuff. Only a women’s collection.
Stella McCartney, 30, Bruton Street, Mayfair.
Vivienne Westwood
Luxury punk and elegance characterize Westwood’s design, which is sold all over the world. But in her London stores you can find all of her collections, from semi-couture to Red Label, which is the more affordable and usable one. Collections for both men and women.
Vivienne Westwood, 44, Conduit Street, Mayfair.
James Smith and Sons
If you need an umbrella, you can be certain to find it here. Whether it should be an ordinary black one or one with jewels on top. The old family business can almost make rainy weather a delight.
James Smith and Sons, 53, New Bond Street.
Browns and Browns Focus
Clothes and accessories by international designer brands, like Chloé and Fendi, as well as a shoe department. Across the street is Browns Focus, which is less expensive, but slightly more casual with brands like Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Browns & Browns, Focus 23-27 South Molton Street, Mayfair
A sumptuous Mecca of retro jewelry and vintage design, which you should see for yourself. Glitter and bling and London’s largest collection of vintage dresses, according to the owners.
Butler & Wilson, 20, South Molton Street
Butler & Wilson, 19, Fulham Road
www.butlerandwilson.co.uk
B Store
Colorful and untraditional clothing that you can find nowhere else. B Store stocks up-and-coming and newly graduated designers, which is reflected in the funky and quirky patterns and cuts. B Store also carries its own shoe collection.
B Store, Savile Row, Mayfair
Chelsea and Notting Hill
These areas offer exclusive designer stores for the quality-conscious clientele.
Joseph
Joseph has several stores in London and primarily offers classic business outfits of the kind that is worn by lots of urban women: Cashmere sweaters and little black dresses in numerous variations. Most stores also carry other designer brands, such as Diane von Furstenberg and Stella McCartney. They also sell shoes – and across the street you will find Joseph’s own café and restaurant.
Joseph, 124, Draycott Avenue, Chelsea
www.joseph.co.uk
Matches
Matches has three shops in the street. The one only called Matches carries luxury brands like Prada and Burberry and Matches’ own stylish brand Freda. Matches Soy offers more casual clothing, such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, and the third shop only sells clothes from Diane von Furstenberg.
Matches, 60-64 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill
www.matchesfashion.com
Persephone Books
You can also find this splendid bookstore in the area. It is a true delight for your mind and your senses and has a wide selection of cook books, overlooked novels and interesting paperbacks.
Persepone Books, 59 Lamb’s Conduit Street, Knightbridge
Diverse
Located in Islington, which is younger and less posh than Notting Hill. The shop carries cool and edgy brands such as Luella. In the small streets behind Upper Street, you will find a lot of vintage stores, where you can make a great bargain.
Diverse, Upper Street, Islington
East End
Spitalfields, Shoreditch and Hoxton form the heart of the city’s bohemian culture. The quirky and edgy part of London – also in regards to shopping.
The Laden Showroom
The leading showroom for the country’s young and independent designers. There are over 3000 clothing items, tightly packed in the small space. But that’s not a problem, since you can find very exciting and original pieces of clothes, which are also affordable.
The Laden Showroom, 103, Brick Lane
www.theladenshowroom.co.uk
Hurwundeki 98
From the outside, a modest-looking shop with its brown wooden façade and the name written in gray cement. But inside you will find hidden treasures, if you’re into vintage and original design. The shop spreads over two levels and the decoration is carried out in a dark atmosphere.
Hurwundeki 98, 98, Commercial Street
Absolute Vintage
A slightly hidden shop in a warehouse on a side street off Commercial Street. The place is packed with luxury vintage clothes for both men and women. The clothes and the shoes are classified by color and size and the prices are generally below those of similar stores in the city.
Absolute Vintage, 15 Hanbury Street
Dragana Perisic
The designer Dragana Perisic is relatively new on the British fashion scene, and both her shop and her collection are beautiful, with classic feminine cuts and soft colors. The shop is only open from Wednesday through Sunday.
Dragana Perisic, 30, Cheshire Street
www.draganaperisic.com
By David Rich