London's 50 best boutiques
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Edited by Maggie Davis and Kate Riordan
Posted: Mon Oct 2 2006 
Saloon, EC1 Saloon
Keiko Kim-Hindley’s sweet little shop combines fashion with interior items, stationery and a bit of art. Her excellent eye for pieces that are original but wearable takes in less familiar finds such as Finnish label Ivana Helsinki and Parisian chic courtesy of Néologie, plus a few vintage dresses (£150-£200). The small selection of casual menswear includes the likes of Peter Jensen shirts and graphic sweatshirts by London-based artist Rachel Cattle. There is also an array of fantastic jewellery by independent designers, including cute charm necklaces by Emma Burgin and men’s silver jewellery by Jacey Withers.
Saloon, 23 Arlington Way, EC1 (020 7278 4497/www.saloonshop.co.uk) Angel tube. Open Mon, Wed, Fri 11am-7pm, Tue 11am-6pm, Sat 12noon-6pm. Feature continuesAdvertisementSantos & Mowen
Principally stocking DSquared and Dolce & Gabbana alongside smaller niche brands such as Andrew Mackenzie and Junk de Luxe, this small boutique avoids Eurotrash accusations thanks to its careful selection of pieces. The large range of clothes – from leather trousers through preppy, checked chinos to monochromatic, soft cotton T-shirts – throws up something for everyone. It feels a bit as if you’re rummaging through someone’s wardrobe. The place is a must-visit for designer-conscious, but less flash-fashion dressers with cash to splash.
Santos & Mowen, 10 Earlham St, WC2 (020 7836 4365/www.santosandmowen.com) Covent Garden or Leicester Square tube. Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm.Sefton
Costume National, Miu Miu, McQueen and Comme des Garçons are prominent at this high-end boutique, while a good selection of Junk de Luxe and Yohji Yamamoto will please those with quieter tastes and a slimmer wallet. There’s a pleasing range of knitwear from John Smedley and Cash Ca and incredible elephant-print tops from lesser-known label Herion. Accessories include skinny, knitted block-colour ties, Thompson of London cufflinks and Tom Ford sunnies. The store itself is thoughtfully designed and arranged.
Sefton, 196 Upper St, N1 (020 7226 7076) Highbury & Islington tube/rail. Open Mon-Wed, Sat 10am-6.30pm, Thur, Fri 10am-7pm, Sun 12noon-6pm.Sera of London
Burlesque is back in vogue and entering this ‘fancy ladies’ shop and interior decoration service’ is like slipping into a cabaret queen’s boudoir. Exotic wares such as ‘Rude’ satin corset lampshades with marabou feather trim (£680), intricately hand-etched kid gloves (£700) and frilly parasols designed by the original sex kitten herself, Brigitte Bardot, abound. Clothes come courtesy of Buddhist Punk and Pearl Lowe, who designs vintage-inspired lace pieces. Nothing is cheap, but £40 will buy you a whiff of the glamour in the form of Madame Sera’s scented candle.
Sera of London, 3 Lonsdale Rd, W11 (020 7467 0799/www.seraoflondon.com) Westbourne Park tube. Open Tue-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun by appointment.Shoon
Casual clothes, outdoor gear, books, babywear and gifts; the basement is devoted to a wide range of comfortable shoes from brands like Camper and Ecco.
Shoon, 94 Marylebone High St, W1 (020 7487 3001/www.shoon.com) Baker St or Bond St tube. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm.- 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