London's top 10 lavish shop stops
MANILA, Philippines - 1Selfridges: Shopping in Selfridges is a spectacle as much as it is an experience. On the visual level, Selfridges stores are feats of both architecture and styling, what with their pillared façade on Oxford Street, and iconic window displays photographed by London-based Andrew Meredith. When it comes down to the most important part—the shopping, naturally—the retail hub has a mix of designer and high street, as well as European, American and Asian brands. You’ll find everything here, from Alexander McQueen to Alexander Wang.
2. Harrods: As the biggest shopping structure in the UK (the already-exhaustive Selfridges only comes second), Harrods is a must-visit. Its motto of Omnia Omnibus Ubique, (that is, “All Things for All People, Everywhere”) guarantees a brand selection that leaves one spoilt for choice (read: both established fashion houses and young designers, including Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed’s daughter, Jasmine De Milo). But do practice restraint: In 2007, the department store hired the services of a live Egyptian cobra at the shoe counter, just in case anyone got greedy with a pair of £62,000 ruby-, sapphire- and diamond-encrusted Rene Caovillas.
3. Harvey Nichols: Harvey Nicks, on the corner of Knightsbridge and Sloane, attracts a much younger crowd than Harrods; hence, its youngish, street-slang moniker. That said, shopping in this former linen shop tends to be a bit more expensive than in Harrods, owing, most likely to its well-curated mix of new-generation labels. Crazy-cool Rodarte is here, so is heir-to-the-sky-high-platform throne Charlotte Olympia, and even recent LFW debutante Erdem. This is definitely a place for highly mobile fashion fiends, with a just as moveable disposable income.
4. Dover St. Market and Browns: Though separate entities, these two stores are the prime examples of London fashion’s rebellious energy. On one hand, the former is a retail concept developed by Comme des Garcons’ Rei Kawakubo, who envisioned six floors of steel beams and cement floors, populated by the subconscious (in concrete terms: mannequins and merchandise) of a dozen stream-of-consciousness designers including Raf Simons, Junya Watanabe, Ann Demeulemeester and Alber Elbaz. On the other, there’s the Barney’s Co-op-reminiscent Browns, which in addition to its selection of RTW-focused labels (The Row, Tabitha Simmons, PRPS, Pamela Love), conducts collaborations with up-and-comers from Central Saint Martins.
5. Bond St: Originally a shopping destination for art pieces and antiques, Bond Street has become London’s major shopping row, maintaining its high-end leanings with an impressive lineup of luxury boutiques, such as Goyard and LV’s flagship. For the privy, sign up for Bond Bespoke, a selection of custom- made shopping tours that has expert tour guides taking you through the street, sharing insider information on fashion, jewelry, art and antique acquisition, and the occasional club or hotel recommendation.
6. Covent Garden: All appearances to the contrary, London is not purely about luxury shopping. Just as UK’s archetypes range from the stiff-upper-lipped Brit to the rolled-out-of-bed Miss Moss, London’s high-end stores are supplemented by outdoor markets, such as the popular Covent Garden. Shopping here is a make-what-you-will-of-it affair. While street performers entertain via all manner of improv, shoppers piece together an eclectic wardrobe, with Covent Garden’s kooky, one-off, “so-hip-it-hurts fashion.“ (www.coventgarden londonuk.com)
7. Camden Markets: Camden Markets in Camden Town, London, echoes Covent Garden’s festive vibe, what with its open-air shops and indoor markets, tucked between bars and food stalls. Shopping-wise, the stores represent various subcultures: Gekko stocks patchwork skirts and knits for the hippies; Cyberdog, Punkyfish, Spank, and Longfordrockers sells futuristic club wear; the British Boot Company offers a huge selection of Doc Martens and just-as-punk boots; Arc and Dragstrip brings ’50s rockabilly bowling shirts and petticoat skirts; while Darkside and Burleska are the go-to lingerie/sex shops for Camden’s always-in-black Goths and fetishists.
8. Primark: Marks & Spencer meets Topshop meets Old Navy in this budget department store, where trendy pieces intermingle with the staples, for all age and gender ranges in the market. With a frenetically paced turnaround that churns out affordable, RTW versions of high-priced runway trends, Primark quickly sells out of whatever it is they release, not unlike the harried situation in Manila’s just-opened fast-fashion mecca, Forever 21.
9. Topshop: Originating in London, Topshop is the pinnacle of the city’s high-street fashion, the only label in the same retail level to show clothes in London Fashion Week, under its Unique label. Apart from having five floors of retail space, Topshop’s flagship store on Oxford Street is singled out for its nail bar, a one-hour tailoring service, a hair salon by fashion show favorite Daniel Hersheson, a café and sandwich bar called EAT, and — owing to the sheer volume of storegoers (30,000 a day) — a one-hour delivery service that allows orders to be placed and then delivered in an hour via Vespa scooter.
10. Liberty: Liberty of London is another homegrown brand, with a long-established department store located on Regent Street. When in the city, take the chance to see the label’s iconic floral fabrics up close, appropriated into classic dress shirts and luxurious bed linens. While much has been said about London’s edgy energy, Liberty’s offerings satisfy a sophisticated niche, remaining a nod to British tradition and craftsmanship.
