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Shopping
By: Ian Johnson
London - a fabulous place for shopping
London - a fabulous place for shopping
What would be your perfect day? For Alex Van Baalen it's patrolling the streets of central London looking for the most exclusive buys and hangouts
"I always start my day out with popping into my favourite urban retreat"
I can never understand people who say that shopping is such a chore! For me it’s like reading a great novel, it has a beginning, middle and an end. Each part to be enjoyed as much as the next. No matter how much you do or don’t buy, for me it’s all about having a memorable experience.
Maybe this would be a good time to put my hand up and say, “Hi I’m Alex and I’m a closet shopper”
Jokes aside, I thought I would open my little black book. No, not that one dear! And share with you my best day out.
Start as you mean to continue has always been my motto. Ok, so Joan Collins said it first! For me I always start my day out with popping into my favourite urban retreat Napket.With its matt black walls, glittering vintage Baroque chandeliers and gilded black velvet couches, it’s not so much just another coffee shop, but more poseur’s paradise! With its glossy fashionista look it’s the perfect place to plan your day out over one of their fresh coffee blends and a cheeky posh cake.
While the credit crunch seems to have hit us all, I’m a firm believer that if you are going out to shop like a demon with your hard earned cash then it’s all about finding those special little tucked away gems that offer the unusual or unique. Run of the mill just doesn’t feature in my shopping vocab!
One such gem is Diverso, tucked away behind Selfridges in St.Christophers Place. Bieaux it might be, but it is filled with the most beautiful array of men’s shirts. Made from the finest Italian cottons in the widest array of the coolest of cool ice cream shades, as well as bold and jaunty stripes. Each one has contrast touches and attention to detail that would make even John Barrowman’s heart skip a beat. Well it should do as a little birdie tells me he has all his shirts custom made there. But, if like me ever the impatient shopper who couldn’t wait 4 weeks for a bespoke shirt, there are plenty of double cuffed or buttoned back collared shirts on offer to make any die hard shopper’s heart sing with joy.
A stones throw away from there up yet another lane, but this time Marylebone Lane is the fantastic treasure-box boutique KJ’s Laundry housing an eclectic mix of designers from all over the world. Whether its hot coloured cashmeres by Dublin based Sphere One or handmade gauzy dresses and eggshell pale separates by Ozzie Lee Matthews this is definitely the place to take your best girlfriend or buy something special for that trendy sister. Well if the likes of Scarlett Johansson can’t resist popping in there while in London then it’s certainly worth making a pilgrimage to.
If quirky is not really your thing, but high octane top-draw fashion is then hold on tight to your Prada shades as we are about to hit mache five through the crowded streets of Mayfair. The Dover Street Market has become a mecca for all of us fixated by fashion and style. You might not find a bargain in this modern day take on a market place, but housed over five floors you will definitely find cutting-edged fashion. This is certainly a place to hang out and splash out on men and women’s clothes, accessories and the hottest fragrances. From Dior to Gareth Pugh and from Givenchy to Christopher Kane this is ‘beautiful chaos’ at it’s coolest!
I don’t know about you, but all that excitement has made me a little weak in the knees never mind the old Gucci wallet! Time to take it down a notch or two.
Tucked away in the bustling heart of Soho is my next little treasure. Randall and Aubin.This lively yet intimate French butchers shop turned quirky rotisserie and seafood bar is the perfect spot. Here over a magnificent seafood platter and finely chilled glass or two of Moutard Vintage you can revive your senses while watching the elegant yet diverse crowd dine around you in this informal and relaxed heady atmosphere.
No time to waste now, we are off again. This time it’s off to find that sharp bespoke tailored suit! No we aren’t going to Saville Row clever cloggs, but instead heading down to The Cut in Waterloo. Nestled here in the arty yet slightly edgy south side of the river is a very closely guarded secret. Here you will find a contemporary answer to the rather traditional and stuffy image of the world of classic tailoring. Think gentleman’s club meets Soho chic. Not only can men and women have a bespoke suit measured and ordered at half the price of Saville Row, but also downstairs they have a salon offering the very finest in pruning and preening that a man can get. This is definitely one for your speed dial; well Sir Richard Branson has it on his!
I always find after a hard day’s shopping that my feet have a habit of carrying me off via South Kensington for a much needed pit stop along this yellow brick road. The Hummingbird Bakery is a cosy, glass-frosted café and shop with comfy deep leather armchairs in which to collapse and indulge. It’s bye bye high protein diet and hello my little fluffy sponge friends, all topped with butter cream icing and the prettiest variety of sprinkles. It reminds me of the Magnolia bakery next to Marc Jacobs in New York or as I hear you all screaming, from Sex in the City. A very grand old dame recently remarked, “This is a very in place where chocolate cupcakes are as good as sex!” Mmmm not totally convinced with the sex bit, but I have to admit that the Red Velvet is my favourite! As I sit languishing here with all my shopping splayed out around me, I have to admit that this was one fine days shopping from start to sparkly finish.
