London is a shopping heaven. You can find everything you need and everything you dream of or you didn’t dream of because you didn’t knew it existed. From luxury brands to small shops it is a pleasure to go around and explore. Along the years I have selected some of my favorites which I will list hereafter, but every time I am there I discover new ones. Therefore I will suggest you also some areas where you can get lost and discover new ones.
Harvey Nichols – Knightsbridge
Not far from the very well known Harrods, this department store is the trendy one you can not miss. Known luxury brands are there, but they also offer new emerging ones. From clothes to cosmetics, from household equipment to jewelry you can find all the best selection. Good restaurants on top floor and on the basement to have a bite for lunch or a good dinner.
Liberty – Regent Street
Worth a visit for two main reasons: the Victorian building is a landmark and their legendary floral printings, which are unique and are reproduced in their clothing, accessories, household, gadgets, etc.
Manolo Blanik – Old Church Rd.
Manolo Blahnik is one of the most famous shoe designers in the world and his shoes became an icon after Sex and the City, where the main character Carries Bradshaw wore them all the time. These shoes are expensive (costing anywhere from one hundred and fifty pounds upwards) but once in a time we can make ourselves a unique gift. They also sell a selection of accessories including handbags. I once had the chance to meet Manolo himself there!
Dover Street Market is a multi-brand retailer originally located on Dover Street, in Mayfair, London. It has stores in New York City, Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, Beijing and Los Angeles. Dover Street Market was created by Rei Kawakubo of Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons and her husband Adrian Joffe. The store sells Comme des Garçons brands, as well as complementary high fashion and streetwear brands such as Brain Dead, Daniela Gregis, Gucci, JW Anderson, LOEWE, Maison Margiela, Nike, Palace, Rick Owens, sacai, Stüssy, Supreme, The Row, Valentino and many others.
For over 40 years, they have been harnessing the power of the finest natural and organic, ethically sourced herbs, botanicals and essential oils to make award-winning collections, helping us find the perfect balance between outer beauty and inner health. Their products are fabulous and their Coven Garden location is in a little alley which will bring you back to the old London times. Other shops are there including a fantastic cheese shop called Niel’s Yard Diary.
JOSEPH is a British contemporary designer brand known for its luxury essentials, providing women with a complete modern wardrobe. Defined by quality and flawless fit, the JOSEPH label includes women’s ready-to-wear, accessories, and shoes, including wool and cashmere, coats, cardigans, trousers, jumpers, knitwear, tops, dresses, scarves and much more. They have several points of sale but I usually go to their Fulham Road shop or Duke of York Square near Sloane Square. A tip: they have the most perfect trousers.
This brand offers fantastic shoes, very classic and super comfortable. I have several pairs and been wearing them for years without getting tired of them. They used to have a shop near Sloane Square and another one in Westbourne Grove, but they seem to be closed at the moment. You can find them online or in selected department stores.
Anya Hindmarch founded her business in London in 1987 and it has since grown into a global brand. Today, it is as known for its luxury, organization-obsessed accessories as it is for its groundbreaking work in sustainability and its playful experiential retail concepts. The bags are very nice, practical and long lasting. You can find classic ones or very creative ones, some using famous food brands as decoration, smiles or others. Several products can also be customized with initials or hand written phrases. Perfect for yourself or for a special gift. Several addresses, one – the first – in 11 Pont St, Chelsea.
The food hall of Harrods is an expansive and glorious marketplace filled with all types of gourmet treats and eats. It really feels like you can find anything from fresh cut meats to pressed juice, dim sum or sandwiches and salads, croissants and breads to warm meals. You can also eat on site at various counters where you can get the best delicacies you can find. Really fantastic!
Here following I will suggest you some of my favorite shopping – or window shopping – areas where it is very nice to wander and get lost while discovering nice small shops, restaurants or coffee shops
Sloane Square & Sloane Avenue Just wonderin the area and all surrounding small streets. It is full of designer shops but also small ones which is fun to discover.
King’s Road It is where the punk fashion was born. Fulham Road. Both worth some hours of wondering. Now are trendy shopping areas.
Burlington Arcade – Piccadilly A traditional arcade worth seeing, with shops selling high level items, mainly very British like cachemire, perfumes or menswear.
Westbourne Grove – Notting Hill The area is now trendier than ever, famous after the film starring Julia Roberts with the same name – Notting Hill. It is very near Portobello Market so you might want to start from there in the morning then move to Westbourne Grove for a more stylish choice. All shops and small restaurants are interesting and – who knows – you might bump into one of the many celebrities living here.
Jermyn Street – Piccadilly. One of the most and traditional British streets you will find in London. Together with Savile Row it is one of the temples of British men classic tailoring. Shirts (Turnbull and Asser, who supplies King Charles), ties, shoes (and do not forget John Lobb in St. James who make shoes for kings and celebrities since 1849), perfumes (Penhaligons), barbers (Jermin Street Barbers) and lots more. You can not find anything more British than this, but please note: it is mostly for men.
I will stop here for the moment because you might get bankrupt. But please enjoy and … do not spend too much. But buy yourself a gift 😊