Style City: London W1

 

{mosimage}While many a guide book will tell you to stay away from big, bad Oxford Street there are a few good reasons to pop by. If you hate crowds then I suggest a bit of back street manoeuvring which is also a great way to discover those little tucked away places.

 

 

{mosimage}So why endure Oxford Street? Well, first off, because it’s the location of department store Mecca – Selfridges. Talk about everything under one roof with great men’s and womenswear floors. Where else can you check out the latest collections from the likes of Prada, Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana alongside Paul & Joe, Sass & Bide and Preen? The range and variety is huge, and if all that is a bit too much for your personal budget then you can always shimmy downstairs to the Spirit department for taste of the High Street. Spirit currently stocks well known brands such as Pink Soda, Karen Millen, Warehouse and Diesel.

 

 

{mosimage}Another good reason to visit Oxford Street is Marks & Spencer, TopShop and New Look. Yes, they are chain stores you can find up and down the country, but here, on busy old Oxford Street are their flagship homes. This means – previews of the very latest collections, more of those exclusive pieces you see featured in magazines – and a wider range of in-store services. TopShop is a definite fashion favourite with press and buyers in town for the shows. In particular, TS Boutique which offers capsule collections from guest designers such as – Zandra Rhodes, Jonathan Saunders and Sophia Kokosalaki.

 

Other stores worth a visit on and around Oxford Street:

 

{mosimage}Miss Selfridge and River Island – both on the up and hot on the heels of TopShop. For designs seasoned with a more distinctive flavour check out All Saints and Urban Outfitters, and for girls that love a bit of sparkle Butler & Wilson on South Molton Street is a must.

 

If its industry glossies and books you’re after then pop into R. D. Franks on Market Place. From trend prediction to buying news – Franks is a popular haunt with fashion students and industry types alike.

 

 

{mosimage}For those that sway towards the designer end of the scale then a walk down Bond Street and the surrounding area will serve you well. So many stores and so little time, it’s impossible to do them all so I head for Dover Street Market. If you want a shop that offers a bit more than just a straight forward retail experience then this could be the place for you. From t-shirt vending machines to corrugated iron huts and stuffed creatures the Comme des Garcons’ Dover Street concept is definitely different.

 

 

{mosimage}Commenting on the project Rei Kawakubo said: “I want to create a kind of market where various creators from various fields gather together and encounter each other in an ongoing atmosphere of beautiful chaos: the mixing up and coming together of different kindred souls who all share a strong personal vision.”

 

 

The result is part art, part museum and part shop. Spread over six floors Dover Street Market is a place where you can happily while away the hours filling your senses with unique sights, sounds and style. Of course there are plenty of Comme des Garcons pieces to check out, along with designs from Martin Margiela, Erickson Beamon, Boudicca, Cutler and Gross and many more. In amongst the threads there are fragrances, CD’s, accessories and unusual curios. Never the same for long display and furniture ideas are constantly changing and there’s always a new project underway. 

 

 

 

{mosimage}Retailed out I wander over to Soho for a sit down and coffee. Soho is a great for pavement cafes and people watching. Bar Italia on Frith Street is pretty much a Soho institution, it may not be the cheapest coffee around but it’s probably the best. If it’s a bite to eat you’re after then I highly recommend Wagamama’s. Good healthy food, generous portions at a reasonable price.

 

 

Before I call it a day I take a leisurely walk through Berwick Street Market to Kingly Court, on Carnaby Street. Kingly Court provides an alternative to the hustle and bustle of its surrounding area. Forget High Street chains – Kingly Court is all about small boutiques and up-and-coming labels. There’s more than enough to check out from chic sportswear at Sweaty Betty to beautiful vintage finds at Marshmallow Mountain. Upstairs is the London Fashion Forum Boutique, which has a constant turn-around of new designers. In store at the moment you can find the likes of Mertle & George, Craven Gene, SE1 and Julie Berube.

 

 

 

Central London – in amongst the mayhem you can discover some real shopping gems.

 

 

While London serves as the hub of our fashion community we do realize that there are plenty of other stylish cities to shout about out there. If you want to give your own city a very fashionable mention then we would like to hear from you. Please send your opinions to jojo@creatif.co.uk

 

Listings:  {mosimage}

 

 

Selfridges, 400, Oxford Street, W1

 

Marks & Spencer, (Marble Arch) 458, Oxford Street, W1

 

TopShop, Oxford Circus, W1

 

New Look, 500-502, Oxford Street, W1

 

Miss Selfridge, Oxford Circus, (next to TopShop) W1

 

River Island, 470, Oxford Street, W1 {mosimage}

 

All Saints, 1, Great Titchfield Street, W1

 

Urban Outfitters, 200-212, Oxford Street, W1

 

Butler & Wilson, 20, South Molton Street, W1

 

R. D. Franks, Kent House, Market Place, W1

 

Dover Street Market, 17/18 Dover Street, W1

 

Bar Italia, 22, Frith Street, W1{mosimage}

 

Wagamama, 10a, Lexington Street, W1

 

Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, W1

 

 

 

 

 

 

By JoJo Iles