Shopping

B store

Aimé
Best for Parisian-style chic
French-Cambodian sisters Val and Vanda Heng-Vong opened Aimé in 1999, bringing a slice of understated Parisian cool to Notting Hill. Inside their airy, two-floor shop, you’ll find casual separates by Isabel Marant, APC and Les Prairies de Paris, plus brightly coloured offerings from Antik Batik, nostalgic Repetto ballet flats and romantic silver jewellery by Serge Thoraval, inscribed with lines of French poetry (from £50 for a ring).
Aimé, 32 Ledbury Rd, W11 (020 7221 7070/www.aimelondon.com) Notting Hill Gate tube. Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-7pm. Feature continues

Antipodium
Antipodium seeks out up-and-coming talent from down under. From Australia there’s men’s streetwear by Schwipe, casuals by PaM, chic modern eveningwear by Gail Sorronda and form-hugging sportswear by Metalicus. New Zealand is represented by Mala Brajkovic and Karen Walker, whose playful womenswear is winning her a loyal fan base.
Antipodium, 5a Carlisle St, W1 (020 7287 3841/www.antipodium.com) Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Rd tube. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm.

Austique
Originally inspired by laidback, girly boutiques in Australia, sisters Katie and Lindy Lopes have assembled a super-feminine collection of clothes, lingerie and accessories here. But the wares aren’t exclusively from down under. While key Antipodean designers include Alannah Hill, Leona Edmiston and New Zealander Karen Walker, the American presence is becoming increasingly prominent: recent additions include sexy cashmere sweaters and party dresses from young-sophisticate label Alice + Olivia and womenswear by New York’s Rag & Bone.
Austique, 330 King’s Rd, SW3 (020 7376 3663/www.austique.co.uk) Sloane Square tube or 11, 22 bus. Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-6.30pm, Sun 12noon-5pm.

Bread & Honey
One of London’s finest streetwear destinations, Bread & Honey is the brainchild of Laurent Roure (buyer and urbanwear expert) and Laurent Chaumet (nightclub promoter). Menswear has a classic preppy edge, while the women’s collection has a touch of French rock chick. Everything is personally sourced by Chaumet, resulting in a wide range of T-shirts and polos from small French label Artysm through to the more predictable Stüssy and Duffer. Umbro by Kim Jones features heavily, while MHI, Carhartt and Misericordia give you an idea of the denim fits (not skinny).
Bread & Honey, 205 Whitecross St, EC1 (020 7253 4455/www.breadnhoney.com) Old St tube/rail. Open Mon-Wed, Fri 10am-6.30pm, Thur 10am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm.

Browns
Best for shoes
Joan Burstein’s venerable store has reigned supreme over London’s boutiques for more than 35 years. Among the 100-odd designers jostling for attention in its five interconnecting shops are Chloé, Dries Van Noten, Balenciaga and Jil Sander (to whom an entire floor is devoted). Burstein, who has just turned 80, has always championed up-and-coming designers, such as Central Saint Martins graduate Marios Schwab and Australian Tina Kalivas. A new women’s shoe salon showcases fabulous footwear from the likes of Christian Louboutin, Biba and Yves Saint Laurent, while the menswear section brings together an unrivalled collection, from Dior Homme to current hotshot Kris Van Assche.
Browns, 23-27 South Molton St, W1 (020 7514 0000/www.brownsfashion.com) Bond St tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm, Thur until 7pm.

B store
Having recently moved from Conduit Street round the corner to Savile Row, the place feels a million miles away from the strip’s traditional tailors. New names to look out for in autumn/winter 2006/07 include Central Saint Martins graduates Alex Foxton and Ehud Joseph, who provide modern men’s tailoring. The shop also continues to champion Peter Jensen, whose offbeat men’s and women’s clothing is perennially popular.
B store, 24a Savile Row, W1 (020 7734 6846/www.bstorelondon.com) Oxford Circus tube. Open Mon-Fri 10.30am-6.30pm, Sat 10am-6pm.