London's 50 best boutiques
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Edited by Maggie Davis and Kate Riordan
Posted: Mon Oct 2 2006 The Library
Designer labels and literature may seem an unlikely combination, but this fantastic emporium will convince you otherwise. Stock from seasoned greats like McQueen and Westwood hangs alongside that of newer fashion stars like Kris Van Assche. Also look out for lesser-known label G Guaglianone, whose combination of Italian street style with traditional British tailoring makes for a sleek, wearable line of smart and casual clothes. There’s also a small selection of gift-friendly womenswear (cashmere, Balenciaga bags). Although the interior could do with an update, selling secondhand fashion and art books alongside clothes adds another dimension to the experience.
The Library, 268 Brompton Rd, SW3 (020 7589 6569) South Kensington tube. Open Mon, Tue, Thur-Sat 10am-6.30pm, Wed 10am-7pm, Sun 12.30-5.30pm. Feature continuesAdvertisementMatches
Best for coats
One of three branches, the main shop at 60 Ledbury Road sells heavyweights such as Balenciaga, Lanvin, Missoni, and Marc Jacobs, along with all the fabulous accessories created to accompany the clothes (menswear is downstairs). Across the street is Matches Spy, where you’ll find a slightly quirkier mix, including popular diffusion lines (Miu Miu, Marc by Marc Jacobs), as well as new labels (Alexander McQueen’s McQ diffusion line and 3.1 Phillip Lim, for example), plus piles of premium jeans. The dedicated Diane von Furstenberg store at No 83 is also part of the empire.
Matches, 60-64 Ledbury Rd, W11 (020 7221 0255/www.matchesfashion.com) Notting Hill Gate tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12noon-6pm.Microzine
Combining fashion, furnishings, books, gadgets and even art, Microzine houses a magazine’s worth of stock under one roof. Clothing is the right side of laddish with Kim Jones’s range for Umbro and DKNY featuring heavily. ReHash denim (from £120), with a cinch-back and boot-leg cut, reflects the house style – the look is trend-aware but not too ‘worked’. Masculine furnishings are perfect for that city bachelor pad with key design classics such as Philippe Starck’s Gun light. Gadgets are similarly slick.
Microzine, 3-4 Little Portland St, W1 (020 7636 8969/www.microzine.co.uk) Oxford Circus tube. Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm.
Mimi
Best for bold bags
Mimi Berry’s work has a girlie bent, evident in the squishy, prettily dyed clutches and purses, though certain designs will be loved by those who prefer simplicity. Among the most popular styles are the jokily named Numpty, with a cleverly designed, zipped foldover flap, and the Isaac shoulder bag, with a wide strap and buckle detail (both £130). New for autumn/winter 2006/07 is Elsie, a grown-up satchel in colours like buttercup yellow and sunset orange, and May, a roomy shopper.
Mimi, 40 Cheshire St, E2 (020 7729 6699/www.mimimika.com) Liverpool St tube/rail. Open by appointment only Tue-Thur, Fri-Sat 10.30am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm.- Add your comment to this feature
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15 comments
Hi, Can anyone recommend boutiques that do really nice evening dresses in central london. Looking for seomthing really glad for my brother's wedding. Don't live in London so all help appreciated!
I would like to say that PIPA in Maida Vale is a gorgeous shop. Great selection of clothes and well worth popping into.
Pipa stocks the best fitting jeans for women. Pop in for beautiful make up, skin care and stunning dresses. There is even a kids floor downstairs with lovely toys and clothes.
1, Formosa Street,
London W9 1EE
02072662365
I am really suprised to read all this. I love Coco RIbbon and have always found the shop assistants to be really lovely and very helpful ; ). I heart coco.
Hey Girls,
take it easy on Coco Ribbon. She's just trying to do her business and provide excellent service with unique and beautiful clothes. Its really easy to criticize, but instead lets try and support our local shops in these times.
I agree with Laura.
Londoners / London Boutique are not rude.
By the way, I'm an australian and Ms.Chow 'co-founder coco ribbon' shame on you generalising London like that!
Re: Alison's comment - I love the patronising 'I'm from Australia and shocked at how rude the people in London boutiques are' - great way to win customers in London hun!
With a great collection of leather handbags, fashion accessories and top brand clothing Multipazz is a great boutique. I was passing by Rathbone Place and i was so happy to find find a brown Oriano Leather Bag i have been looking for some time. Their hand bag collections are so great i happen to fall in love with it. Their online store at MultiPazz.com is quite nice as well.
Hi Jan,
I am sorry to hear your comment. I am Australian and when I moved to London I was shocked at how rude the staff seemed to be when I went into boutiques to spend my well earned money. I made it my mission with Coco Ribbon to differentiate ourselves by offering luxury fashion and gifts with down-to-earth and unpretentious sales staff - and instill this philosophy with our staff to this day six years on. Most of the time I would say they do a pretty good job as we often get great feedback from our clientele raving about how nice our girls are. I do hope you come to the store once again as I am confident your second visit will be an enjoyable one.
Coming from a previous Sales Consultant for Koh Samui, the buyer's name is not Mark Sexton, it is Paul. Please get your facts right and accredit the correct person.
Thank you.
Hi, does anyone know who stocks anaphora handbags. thanks
Look forward to a gorgeous new boutique, PIPA for women and children on Formosa Street in Maida Vale W9
Coco ribbon are just plain rude! Will never shop there again!
please note that Coco Ribbon sloane street no longer exists. thanks
Alison
Please update the profile for COco Ribbon as the Sloane Street store no longer exists, however the Notting Hill boutique does and we have relaunched cocoribbon.com
all details can be found on our website. thank you