West End — Chic50Style

West End shopping from Bond Street to Piccadilly

Luxury brands and exclusive fashion, from window shopping 🛍 to cocktails.. books from Hatchards… chocolates from Fortnum’s

History

My career

I was born in Hertfordshire I studied for a Diploma in retailing and in 1985 I started work full time in Harrods

Harrods

At the time owned by House of Fraser the biggest department store in the world with 4000 staff was Monday to Saturday 9-5 how those days and times have now changed

Charles Henry Harrod

born in Essex in 1799 he started as a tea dealer in Whitechapel, in 1849 he established a small grocery business at 8 Middle Queen’s Buildings in Knightsbridge. In 1861 he sold the shop to his son, Charles Digby Harrod.

The store occupies seven floors and has over 330 departments which together cover over 90,000 square meters. With its world-famous food hall, reputation for luxury goods prestigious customers and its unique green bags, the store is visited by millions of people every year.

Brompton Road

Originally consisting of one room the address later changed to 105 Brompton Road and on the land behind they built a warehouse by 1883 it had 6 departments over 5 floors and 200 assistants
images Drapers

2020 lockdown

Although the food halls open at the beginning of lockdown Harrods closed due to poor sales but bounced back at Christmas 🎄 before closing again for the third lockdown

March 2021 still closed

The 2nd lockdown closed from December 2020 and due to open on April 14th the windows and signs reflect the Covid restrictions

Miu Miu Harrods 2021

Question The most famous person I met in Harrods

I have been asked this question so many times and I was very lucky …in no particular order ..Micheal Caine (many times) Elizabeth Taylor, Tina Turner, Lauren Bacall, Alex Guinness, Kirk Douglas & Burt Lancaster.

1993 Chelsea

I started my Store Management career in Chelsea the energy, fashion and history of this West London borough were irresistible and I could walk to work.

Dame Vivienne Westwood

Punk 1970s

Worlds End Chelsea dominated by Sex the shop owned by Westwood originally co managed with Malcolm McClaren that became the meeting place for early members of the London punk scene.
instyle image

Pirate collection

The first collection was Pirate then Savages in 1981 Punkature 1982 Witches 1983 and Worlds End 1984. Image Independent

Pirate boot fans
Not only was I able to watch Vivienne pedal around on her bike but also on one afternoon watched Kate Moss and John Galliano shop ….

Images Instyle

Awarded the OBE in 1992 by the Queen then in 2006 she was advanced to DBE she has also twice been awarded British Designer of the Year

West End Girl

In the late 90s, I found myself working in The West End of London for two different retail giants The Gap and Next the busiest environments I have ever experienced huge deliveries huge crowds enormous fun

Regent Street

Famous shops

Liberty, Nike, Hamleys, Apple, Burberry, Micheal Kors and Barbour.

Liberty’s & Canarby St

Founded by Arthur Liberty in 1875 this vast mock- Tudor building is famous the world over for its floral fabrics and close connection to art

Running behind Regents street made famous during “the swinging 60s” home to fashion restaurants and in Kingly street a couple of Tina’s Favourite pubs

L.K.Bennett 2000s

A chance meeting that changed my career and proved valuable to my professional future.

Shoe addict

Working in the flagship store in the Mayfair district of London selling shoes for the then up and coming brand I was in my element. The company specialised in elegant beautiful stylish shoes and the most stunning handbags

Linda Bennett

Queen of the kitten heal

Founded in 1990

Based in London the company open its first shop in Wimbledon selling shoes the company moved on to accessories and clothes

My coat

This L.K.Bennett coat was 18 years old in this post soft grey boucle with a detachable faux fur collar I wear it every Winter

Red mohair coat 19 years old

Learning to style

I will be forever grateful for the years I spent working for Linda Bennett I worked in the Covent Garden store for 2 years ..also working in Hampstead, Wimbledon and Kensington. The journey from selling clothes in the high street to selling the exclusive range of boutique outfits takes a lot of skill to learn.

Among the skills were pinning and adjusting clothes, working with clients putting together looks from shoes to suits …outfits from Weddings to Ascots. The difference between fabrics, materials the features and benefits of dressing a woman to look her best

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is situated in the West End buried alongside theatres, piazzas and Leicester Square it’s a car-free zone packed with shops and I’d course its indoor and undercover markets full of vintage, antiques and crafts.

The London transport museum sits alongside the Royal Opera House and most days Street entertainers perform by 17th century St.Paul’s Church.

2005 Jones

Working in Covent Garden a wonderful part of London always busy packed with tourists constantly buzzing I love the market especially the crafts and on Monday the market is vintage

Shops

In recent years Tiffany Dior Chanel among other luxury brands has opened shops alongside restaurants such as The Ivy and Joe Allen’s

Lockdown February 2021

Piazza

Recognisable from My Fair Lady but during the lockdown empty I’m so lucky I can walk here

Apple market

A craft market and lots of small shops and a foodies paradise

Bond Street

Since its foundation in 1700, Bond Street has been a playground for society’s wealthiest, most stylish and influential people. Set in the heart of Mayfair in London’s West End it is revered throughout the world for its wealth of exclusive brands, designer boutiques, luxury goods and stunning fine jewels

Ralph Lauren March 2021

Dior windows March lockdown 2021

Chanel windows March lockdown 2021

Prada April 2021

Stunning

Sending a message the new Prada collection hits Bond Street clear crisp and different

Futuristic

Looking forward to life after Covid the basic colour palette strong black slogans like “we should change directions”or “Should we slow down or speed up ?”

With the guys

Probably one of the most famous statues in London situated in Bond Street this bench is simply too good a photo opportunity to miss with my arms around Sir Winston Churchill and President Eisenhower

Christmas 2021

Following last year’s restrictions and the closing down of most West End establishments how satisfying and exciting to get out, enjoy and soak up the restaurants, theatre and of course the shops.