Selfridges

Time Out says

Tue Nov 30 1999

Selfridges - one of Time Out's favourite department stores - celebrated its centenary in 2009. With its concession boutiques, store-wide themed events and collections from the hottest new brands, it's a first port-of-call for stylish one-stop shopping, while useful floor plans make navigating the store easy-peasy. The basement is chock-full of hip home accessories and stylish but practical kitchen equipment (think Alessi, Le Creuset and Marco Pierre White for Russell Hobbs),while on the ground floor the Wonder Room - 19,000sq ft of luxury brands - goes from strength to strength. There are plenty of concessions worthy of note: Cycle Surgery on the first floor is a knowledgeable pitstop for two-wheelers, while Beautiful Blooms on the ground floor specialises in cut, scented English and French garden roses. Too many shoppers bypass these delights as they make a beeline for Selfridges's excellent fashion floors. With a winning combination of new talent, hip and edgy labels, smarter high street labels and mid and high end brands, the store stays ahead of the pack. Kingston graduate and Student of the Year Sophie Hulme joined the hallowed second-floor womenswear halls with her dramatic first collection of luxury streetwear along with Alexis Mabille's beautiful collection of androgynous tailoring inspired by Jane Birkin. Elsewhere, Simon Miller Jeans joins the already phenomenal jeans stable, while the new Halston boutique in Superbrands shows that Selfridges is not neglecting its big labels either. Menswear is also superb, with concepts like the b store pop-up shop continuing to excite customers. The store's recent 3rd Central initiative - located, funnily enough, in the centre of the third floor -is where you'll find the hippest brands of the day, with an ever-evolving mix of contemporary labels such as Ashish, Preen Line and jewellery brand Zoe & Morgan. There's plenty of new draws in the food hall, too, with great deli produce from London-based Baker & Spice and LA frozen yoghurt export Pinkberry.