Velvet Atelier

Owners Anna and Mike recently moved from the second floor to the ground floor of Alfies Antique Market, giving them a street-facing shopfront. Velvet Atelier is already a favourite with the ‘Downton Abbey’ wardrobe department and designers such as Nicole Fahri because of pieces like a ’20s flapper dress or a ’50s creation by Marilyn Monroe’s designer Ceil Chapman. They can also be rented for 20 per cent of their cost, a great option for brides-to-be who only need one day in white. If you’re after something a little more contemporary, the shop also stocks a carefully chosen selection of ’80s and ’90s pieces from the likes of Moschino, Vivienne Westwood, Oscar de la Renta and Alexander McQueen.