The insiders' guide to London shops
Five of the capital's top designers reveal their secret shopping spots
- Best shops and places for bargains
- Best markets and stalls
- Best dry cleaners, cobblers and hairdressers
Dover Street Market
17-18 Dover Street, London, W1S 4LT
'Exquisitely selected products from all over the world. I can spend a whole day in there and get lost. The staff are so passionate about what they are selling and they can tell you everything you need to know about what you are buying.' Katie Hillier
Time Out says: Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo's ground-breaking six-storey space combines the edgy energy of London's indoor markets - concrete floors, tills housed in corrugated-iron shacks, Portaloo dressing rooms - with rarefied labels. All 14 of the Comme collections are here, alongside exclusive lines such as Lanvin, Givenchy and Azzedine Alaïa.
Sunspel
7 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DL
'Brilliant for basics.' Jonathan Saunders
Time Out says: The first, and really the loveliest, retail outlet for classic British menswear brand Sunspel. It specialises in quality underwear, T-shirts and polo shirts and claims to have introduced boxer shorts to the UK.
Les Couilles du Chien
65 Golborne Road , W10 5NP
'It’s full of weird and wonderful antique furniture and objects.' Julien Macdonald
Time Out says: Les Couilles du Chien translates roughly as ‘the dogs bollocks’ which we think is not a totally unfounded claim, based on their weird and wonderful products. In store, taxidermied animals sit next to vintage light fittings, framed butterfly prints and antique furniture.
Net-a-porter
www.net-a-porter.com
'With a new baby and a collection to prepare there isn’t much time to go out shopping. Thank goodness for Net-a- Porter. I am buying everything there this season.' Roksanda Ilincic
Time Out says: A one-stop online shop for high-end designer brands from Balmain to Marc Jacobs
Mint Vintage
Earlham Street, London, WC2 9LN
'Mint Vintage and the Vintage Showroom in Covent Garden because they have a really good edit of vintage menswear.' Ashish Gupta
Time Out says: As well as stocking an excellent range of vintage clothing and accessories, Mint has the added bonus of being trend-led, so you can be in style whilst retaining a unique look. There's a great selection of men's and women's pieces, while the basement floor is dedicated entirely to vintage shoes. So put your best foot forward, and hop to the shop!
Rellik
8 Golborne Road, London, W10 5NW
"On Golborne Road, you’ll find second-hand store Rellik – I have picked up some amazing vintage fashion pieces there over the years. It’s one of my favourite stopovers."
Time Out says: Rellik (the Trellick Tower is opposite) is often cited as a favourite among the Kates and Siennas of the celebrity world, but neither the shop nor its price tags are intimidating. It's big enough for a lingering browse and small enough to get advice should you need it.
Bang Bang
Goodge Street, London, W1T 2PJ
'Brilliant designer handbags.' Kate Hillier
Time Out says: It's all down to luck and timing at this lunch-break browser's fave. More dress agency than vintage shop, top-end labels such as Dries Van Noten and Moschino hang alongside mediocre high street pieces. Sharp eyes are rewarded: in the past a well-priced Ossie Clark gown has been spotted in the mix. Nearly new shoes sport labels such as Gina, Costume National and Miu Miu, and there are usually plenty for larger feet too. The turnover of stock is fast, so it's worth popping in regularly. There's also a sister store on Berwick Street (No 9), with similar vintage womenswear on the ground floor and menswear in the basement.
Camden Market, Stables Market,
Off Chalk Farm Road, opposite Hartland Road, London, NW1 8AH
'[Ideal for] for vintage items and bargain bomber jackets.' Jonathan Saunders
Time Out says: Camden Market actually refers to the microcosm of markets that make up the northern Camden Town area. The Stables Market is where you'll find some good vintage clothes shops.
The Merchant
Ledbury Road, London, W11 2AB
Picked by Julien Macdonald
Time Out says: The Merchant is a celeb favourite with brands including Lanvin, Chanel, Hermes and Dior - all at bargain prices. The Merchant strives to keep as up to date as possible, showcasing recent collections so that you can look on trend at a fraction of the price.
Claire de Rouen Books
Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0EW
Picked by Katie Hillier
Time Out says: Claire de Rouen is a shrine to fashion and photography books, tucked away above a sex shop on Charing Cross road. The entrance is somewhat maze like - go through Soho Original Books on the ground floor, and take the staircase to the right that leads to the first floor gallery, which in turn leads to the bookshop - but this only adds to the illicit thrill of the place. Stock ranges from books by Nick Knight and Diane Arbus to rare, out-of-print, signed and collector editions, including an original autographed copy of David Bailey's 'Flowers, Skulls and Contacts'. Claire is often found pottering about the small space, her adorable pug-cross Otis at her feet.
Marcus Campbell
Holland Street, London, SE1 9JR
'This book shop, at the back of Tate Modern, is a brilliant buyer of old first editions and new publications.' Jonathan Saunders
Time Out says: Marcus Campbell specialises in out-of-print, second-hand and rare books on twentieth century and contemporary art. Ideal for the location then, as it's situated just behind Tate Modern. Look out for a bargain bin containing stock at just £1 and £2.
- Best shops and places for bargains
- Best markets and stalls
- Best dry cleaners, cobblers and hairdressers
All pages in this feature
- Best shops and places for bargains
- Best markets and stalls
- Best dry cleaners, cobblers and hairdressers
Meet our panel of designers
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Katie Hillier
Having made her name designing accessories for Luella and Marc by Marc Jacobs, Katie Hillier went on to win British Accessory Designer of the Year in 2009. Her new range of fine jewellery is stocked at Harvey Nichols, Joseph and Dover Street Market, and she consults for Victoria Beckham.
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Ashish Gupta
Delhi-born designer Ashish Gupta first showed at London Fashion Week in 2004. Quickly making a name through his playful reinvention of sequins – he scattered them across bomber jackets - Ashish has a string of celebrity fans.
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Julien Macdonald
Julien Macdonald, OBE, graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1996. Back then, knitwear was his niche. He has since gone on to design for Chanel and Givenchy but now concentrates on super-glam evening wear for his own label, which is sold globally.
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Roksanda Ilincic
Belgrade-born Roksanda Ilincic launched her first collection at London Fashion Week in 2002. Since then she has become the queen of cocktail glamour. Her latest fan? Michelle Obama.
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Jonathan Saunders
Scottish designer Jonathan Saunders studied at the Glasgow School of Art before going on to an MA in printed textiles at Central Saint Martins School of Art & Design. Graduating in 2002, Saunders made innovative silk screening techniques his trademark. In 2007 he won an Elle Style Award and in 2008 started showing in New York gaining international recognition.
Sample sales and shopping events
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Disney pop-up boutique, Harrods
Until Jan 1 2013, Harrods
Pink, sparkly and a girly haven, the new Harrods Disney pop-up shop, complete with Princess Parlour, has opened on th...
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The Social's Christmas Market
Until Sat Dec 22, The Social
The annual Christmas market is back for a four week run offering stalls from online shop Caught by the River. Look ou...
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Camden Lock's Night Markets
Until Thu Dec 20, Camden Lock Market
Camden Market is turning the big 4-0 this year. Every Thursday between now and Christmas there will festive shopping ...
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Tim Walker, Story Teller
Until Jan 27 2013, Somerset House
A major exhibition of photographer Tim Walker's work, sponsored by Mulberry. The show presents Walker's strange world...
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Queen's Market
Until Sun Dec 23, Upton Park
Walk out of Upton Park tube station and turn left: Queen's Market sprawls out to your right. This is arguably the mos...
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