Take your shopping trips to another level with London’s most beautiful and stylish retail spaces
Words Joy Montgomery
EARTHY: Ara Vartanian
Designed in conjunction with Estudio Tupi Architects, Ara Vartanian’s new Mayfair boutique is an ode to Brazilian design. Past a corrugated concrete wall entrance, the retail space opens into a softly lit showroom. The space is warmed by earthy furnishings, mid-century furniture and displays of glinting jewels.
44 Bruton Place, W1
CONCEPTUAL: Comme des Garcons
Relocating from Dover Street Market to a listed building on the Haymarket, Comme des Garcons has created a theatre set-like space. Conceived by the brand’s very own Rei Kawakubo, the entire market is shared by a number of other brands, each with their own immersive staging. Black Comme des Garcons’ monochromatic space is intersected by metal, cage-like racks, from which the new collection is hung.
18-22 Haymarket, SW1
BRUTALIST: Valextra, Harrods
David Adjaye’s new design for Valextra’s Harrods concession is an unusual, brutalist-inspired retail space. The brand’s leather accessories sit like artefacts in niches carved out of the crinkled concrete wall panels. The dramatic and stark aesthetic was designed to stop passing shoppers in their tracks.
87-135 Brompton Road, SW1
QUIRKY: Jessica de Lotz
Jessica de Lotz’ Kentish Town boutique is as quirky and unique as the designer herself. Trained at Central Saint Martins, Lotz’ first shop is lovingly decorated with the help of her interior designer friend. The aesthetic is a cross between a cabinet of curiosities and antique shop, with an array of weird and wonderful objects. From a pocket watch-shaped porthole and vintage cabinets to a variety of taxidermy.
49 Fortess Road, NW5
WHITEWASHED: NARS
This two-floor retail space embraces the stark, whitewashed look of a contemporary art gallery. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors reflect the interactive counters, which are set against the store’s dark wood floors. A beauty-lovers paradise.
9 King Street, WC2
RECLAIMED: Bella Freud
“I wanted to create an intimate shopping experience with an apartment-like feeling”, says Bella Freud. Created by Maria Speake in an ex-gallery space, this is the knitwear designer’s first boutique. It features reclaimed stone floors, bespoke brass rails and luxe velvet carpet.
49 Chiltern Street, W1
