Volume 33 Number 7 , August 4, 2009

Travel Excursion
London attracts visitors as shopping destination

By Patrice Raplee

Photos by © Patrice Raplee

A tangible excitement stirs the air as shoppers clutch brightly-colored bags brandishing designer names, while they admire the incredible and imaginative window displays. Floral scents drift from several boutiques and the spicy aromas of curry and appetizing delicacies beckon all who pass. It is morning on London’s famous Regent Street and the momentum of the day is building.

London, England, proffers some of the best shopping in the world with numerous districts featuring popular flagship stores, eclectic boutiques, Bohemian-chic quarters and an exhilarating atmosphere. The streets of London are always whirring with activity and cutting-edge lifestyles, as well as retaining a traditional British posh. Whether you wish to don smart couture and attend an elegant high tea, or sport a casual look and explore the trendy areas, London caters to all preferences.

Regent Street, located in London’s west end, is considered one of the top shopping avenues. In 1811, architect John Nash was commissioned to create a wide boulevard similar to Napoleon’s urban centers. This French design is seen in the beautiful buildings and expansive road that flows with arching curves through Oxford and Piccadilly Circus. Moreover, the heritage and style associated with this grand boulevard is ever-present in boutiques such as Penhaligon’s, one of London’s oldest perfumeries.

With a pedigree dating back to the 1870s, Penhaligon’s founder William Henry Penhaligon became the illustrious court perfumer to Queen Victoria. Several of the perfumery’s original scents, including Hammam Bouquet and English Fern, are quite popular today, along with exquisite newer fragrances such as the divine Ellenisia (a must try!). Penhaligon’s perfumes are famous for their gorgeous floral notes and superior fragrances. Set amidst the boutique’s elegant interior of rich, dark wood and inset lit cabinets lined with luxurious soaps, are body crèmes and perfumes; guests are invited to experience a personal perfume testing. For additional information, visit www.penhaligons.com.

National Geographic opened its first global retail store in the fall of 2008. The amazing flagship store features an enormous footprint across three floors offering the very latest in clothing, footwear, eyewear, maps, children's products, riveting interactive visual displays and a huge selection of books, magazines and DVDs. The in-house auditorium presents fascinating public lectures with some of National Geographic’s most eminent explorers, photographers, authors and excellent free film screenings. After exploring the store’s cool cartographic library, visit the popular café. Or, stress-test National Geo’s explorer apparel in the incredible weather chamber that produces wind gusts, extreme temperatures and simulates various conditions often experienced by adventurers in the field. There are multitudes of fascinating products, educational features and exhibits to the new National Geographic store; visitors can spend a whole day exploring the world without leaving Regent Street. For additional information, visit www.nglondonstore.co.uk.

For apparel to suit the urban jungle, visit Austin Reed for classic British panache. For over 180 years, this iconic store has appealed to the style conscious with their distinctive fashions. Austin’s lower level proffers an excellent little café to savor a cuppa or a glass of wine and their marvelous and coveted spa. Austin Reed’s Beauty and Grooming Salon resides in an authentic, top-tier 1930s renovated art deco salon. The salon is exceptionally elegant and features a full accompaniment of the finest products and treatments for men and women by London’s leading stylists and beauty therapists. The salon’s atmosphere is unusually alluring and worth a visit just to experience and indulge in a treatment; it’s absolutely a must for spa aficionados. For additional information, visit www.austinreed.co.uk.

Regent Street offers visitors a wealth of flagship stores, beauty emporiums and shopping. Stores such as Apple, the Organic Pharmacy (exceptional beauty and skin care), Duchamp, Jaeger and Swarovski Crystallized (new innovative and interactive store) are just a very few of the enticing retailers where residents and visitors flock to explore year-round. A confident shopper may make numerous appointments at various establishments and savor from a day to a week of complementary experiences and consultations. And, when shopping exploits have been met, cuisine is the next order of business. An outstanding choice for lunch and dinner are Tibits and the renowned Veeraswamy. Tibits is located on Heddon Street, just off Regent’s and is a veritable upscale buffet of vegetarian fare. The restaurant is perfect for lunch and the Swiss-inspired menu features numerous ethic dishes as well. Tibit’s atmosphere is stylish yet simple and the perfect environment to enjoy a healthy repast. Veeraswamy is the oldest and one of the absolute best Indian restaurants in London! The second floor interior imbues the lavishness of Royal India in the 1920s with intimate lighting and a classically inspired menu from several regions. Veeraswamy’s curries are complex and heavenly and their large, curried prawns attract guests from all over Europe and the U.S. The romantic restaurant is a complete and satisfying stimulation of all the senses, in an atmosphere you will wish to linger in long after the cuisine has disappeared. For additional information, visit http://www.veeraswamy.com.

London’s Seven Dials is the eclectic shopping and lifestyle area that is located close to Covent Garden. Seven streets radiate out from a central monument in this historic center that has retained its Bohemian chic since the ‘70s. The area features everything from Neal’s Yard that offers alternative therapies and remedies, to massages and healthy lifestyle shops. History also adds to the colorful ambience of this area with Monty Python once residing in the offices above Neal’s Yard. Venture over a street and visitors will find beautiful and unique jewelry designed by local artisans, such as Gary Holder Jewellery, located in the Thomas Neal Centre. Alternatively, visit Monmouth Street in Seven Dials for fabulous boutiques including Miss La La’s Boudoir where celebrities shop for sophisticated and elegant dainties, and famous perfumer Miller Harris. The perfumer will even design a personal fragrance for the individual. Several of the glorious scents to try are Jasmin Vert, with a lovely and crisp bouquet and Couer de Fleur, a fragrance that is never tiresome and perfect for a summer day.

In addition to all of the fabulous boutiques and interesting shops in Seven Dials, one hotel stands preeminent, the Covent Garden Hotel. The hotel’s fashionable rooms are classic, yet comfortable, and the atmosphere is perfect for hanging out and chatting. With its affable environment and central location, it’s no surprise that stars such as Keanu Reeves and Kate Hudson frequent Covent Garden while in town.

Seven Dials is a remarkably fun area to visit and shop. Every street yields a surprising and unique find that will encourage you to explore further. For additional information on Seven Dials shops listed above, visit Gary Holder Jewellery www.garyholder.com , Miss La La’s Boudoir www.misslalasboudoir.co.uk , Miller Harris www.millerharris.com , and Covent Garden Hotel www.firmdalehotels.com.

Carnaby Street, located in the Soho district near Oxford Street, brings to mind the ‘60s with independent fashion boutiques and designers catering to the hip style of the mod era.

Today, Carnaby is pedestrianized, yet retains its independent village personality with modern designers presenting progressive fashions at affordable prices. Carnaby’s new fashion and lifestyle boutiques weave in between pop-up shops, or buildings that rent out temporarily to various art, gallery and intriguing Nuevo concepts, such as atomized alcohol bars. Imagine visiting a bar where you sip a drink but also breathe in the spirits. Of course, your time is limited to short visits but the concept is just one of many captivating ideas that spring up on any given week.

A particularly good place to investigate is Kingly Court, located in a shopping center situated off Carnaby. The impressive three-floor center was recently converted to accommodate 30 specially-selected boutiques around an indoor central courtyard. Fur Coat No Knickers and Stromboli’s Circus are two wonderfully imaginative shops in Kingly Court that are worth a visit. Fur Coat boasts superb accessories from iridescent rhinestone broaches, to trim little hats of exceptional flair. Stromboli’s Circus is brimming with vibrant selections of glassware, shoes, handbags, object d’ art and treasures you won’t be able to resist.

Kingly Court hosts another secret shop that is known to locals, but just beginning to leek out to tea lovers, the splendid Camellia World Of Teas. Camellia’s is located on the third floor in the corner. Upon a glance, its brick and London-window facade will immediately compel you to step inside and take in the lovely and intimate shop, while deeply inhaling the heady tea aromatics. The shop is filled with exotic and quality teas surrounded by a tasteful décor and a few small tables for sharing a scrumptious afternoon tea with a friend. Camellia’s afternoon tea is superb and highly recommended. A casual and comfortable atmosphere make a perfect setting for chatting and sipping a cup of tea served from a silver British antique teapot. The cakes and scones are luscious and the Earl Grey tea is one of the best in London. While visiting, don’t hesitate to peruse the wide selection of excellent teas and ask questions about an unfamiliar variety. You will definitely treasure your memories and teas from this lovely and unique teashop! For additional information or ordering online, visit www.firmdalehotels.com.

Afternoon or high tea in London varies with the establishment. Visitors who prefer a decadent high tea in posh surroundings will appreciate the ultimate elite affair that takes place in the beautiful Athenaeum Hotel. The Athenaeum hosts a sumptuous and award-winning elegant Pink Afternoon Tea with corresponding delicate pink accents of sweets and décor to compliment this laudable tradition. The tea is a lingering event taking place over the course of two hours and in this gorgeous environment, it is truly a marvelous occasion. Be sure to make reservations. For additional information, visit www.athenaeumhotel.com.

For additional tea stores to visit in the Covent Garden and vicinity, try the Tea Palace in Covent Garden, which proffers quality fair trade and environmentally friendly teas and products. www.teapalace.co.uk. The Drury Tea Company, located on New Row Street is a London institution and their quality teas are only for purchase in the UK. www.drury.uk.com.

London’s new Westfield Shopping Center, located by Shepard’s Bush Tube, opened to fanfare in October of 2008. Westfield is the largest upscale shopping complex in Europe and is of opulent glory. Every conceivable global brand name is in residence in this magnificent and modern architectural haven. Multimillion-dollar chandeliers grace the interior complex where Gucci, Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Versace are just a few of the upscale boutiques located in what is termed the Village portion of the center. The complex is so large it is almost a city onto itself. Grocery stores, pharmacies, food stores, restaurants and dry cleaning are only a small list of shops and services available. Westfield is truly astonishing and a perfect place to add to your London shopping excursions. For additional information, visit http://uk.westfield.com/london.