London Shopping
If shopping is your thing, then you (and your wallet) are about to get quite the workout. Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Matthew Williamson – the list of world famous designer names who made their mark on the streets of London-town goes on and on.
But, this town ain’t just for label queens. It’s also the perfect place to pick up a find or two. Clothing, food and flower markets dot city streets almost every day. Camden Market – home to the cheap and extremely cheerful – is commonly scoured by fashion stylists for perfect pieces to be used in some of the world’s most respected style journals. A great way to spend a sunny weekend, the maze of shops spreads over a series of complex immediately adjacent to the Camden Lock system. A number of bars line the waterways and provide tasty tonics to help you and your feet unwind after a long day of lugging your new wares.
For the edgy and up-and-coming, the East End should be on your credit card’s radar. Hoxton and Clerkenwell are hot-houses of young talent featuring boutiques of one-off clothes and interiors. This is the neighbourhood to hit if you want a McQueen without the McQueen price tags.
For the big chain names, Oxford Street is unmissable. Bustling with shoppers at all hours of the working day, every major name can be found somewhere along its length. Two names not to miss are the massive branch of the Swedish superstore H&M and Topman/Topshop, an affordably favourite one-stop everything venue loved by one and all – including Beyoncé Knowles, who never misses a chance to browse through the aisles when she’s in town.
Originally a flower market, Covent Garden is a beautiful collection of boutiques and curio shops nestled in a stunning arcade of restored Victorian architecture. Shopping in Covent Garden provides plenty of visual stimuli in the form of street entertainers and buskers located in the cobblestoned square immediately adjacent to the market.
London boasts plenty of department stores for your pleasure, including Harrods – probably the most famous of them all. Justifiably celebrated for its mouth-watering food halls, items emblazoned with Harrods’ green and gold logo are souvenirs unto themselves.
Just down the street is Harvey Nichols – Harrods’ edgier and more fashion-forward cousin. Princess Diana considered the fifth floor food hall a second home, often spotted tucking into the delicious bistro-style meals on offer. The collections are also noteworthy, often exclusively featuring a number of big names impossible to locate anywhere else in the city.
Currently winner of the style stakes, however, is Selfridges. Originally founded by an American who wanted to bring a U.S.-style shopping experience to the city, Selfridges now boasts Europe’s largest collection of make-up, cosmetics and fragrances, incredible events and killer sales. Definitely the spot of choice for the effortlessly chic set.
Sloane Street is the Fifth Avenue of London and home to dozens of major labels, including Gucci and Chanel. Follow it south to Chelsea’s swinging Kings Road – once the capital of swinging sixties style and Vivienne Westwood’s original boutique, Sex. Today, it’s slightly more high-street in feel with a focus on antiques and wine bars as it heads out towards Earl’s Court.
And speaking of West London, Notting Hill is a weekend hot-spot, beloved by bargain-hunters city-wide. The Saturday market is packed with fashion stalls, food emporiums and incredible antiques. The neighbourhood hit its stride in the 90s when Stella McCartney opened her first boutique in the Westbourne Grove area – and it hasn’t looked back since. You, however, will want to go back again and again.
Camden Market (www.camdenlock.net)
Sprawling, interrelated markets with plenty of clothing, homewares and artwork. A true spectacle, especially on weekends. Camden Town, NW1.
Columbia Flower Market (www.columbia-flower-market.freewebspace.com/)
Sundays until 2pm. Beautiful way to spend a Sunday morning. Flowers, houseplants, garden furniture and people watching. Columbia Road, E2.
Harrods
(www.harrods.com)London’s most famous department store. The food halls are the highlight. 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1. Tel: 020 7730 1234.
Harvey Nichols (www.harveynichols.com)
As Patsy would say – Absolutely Fabulous! 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1. Tel: 020 7235 5000.
H&M (www.hm.com)
The massive London flagship of the Scandinavian fashion store that’s a favourite with the American style mags. 225 Oxford Street, W1. Tel: 020 7534 3505.
Portobello Market (www.portobelloroad.co.uk/)
Portobello Road, W11. Saturday market filled with antiques, cool fashion and great food stalls.
Prowler Soho (www.prowler.co.uk)
Gifts, books, magazines and videos for gay men. 3-7 Brewer Street, W1 (and branches). Tel: 020 7734 4031.
Selfridges (www.selfridges.com)
Favourite department store of young and hip Londoners; fashionable and vast. 400 Oxford Street, W1. Tel: 0870 837 7377.
Topman/ Topshop (www.topshop.co.uk)
If it’s appeared on the catwalk, then it’ll be knocked off here in a similar design for a fraction of the cost. Amazing accessories. 214 Oxford Street, W1. Tel: 020 7636 7700.
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