11. Camden
Quite apart from the chance to run into Amy Winehouse off her head on crack, Camden offers just about the most diverse group of people you'll see in one place. There's tattooed goths, market traders, lanky musicians, foreign food stalls, French tourists and just about everyone else for good measure. Look around the market for jewellery and the like, then walk up over the lock and into the warren of charity shops, moroccan emporiums and chinese takeaway bars. Like Blade Runner, only with more slogan t shirts.
12. Dover street market
The only place to really buy cutting edge clothes in London. Full of Japanese conceptual artists, baffling fashion/art installations and a hushed, reverential silence. Also close to both the Ritz and 50 Dover street, another Movida esque club. I'm not sure that's relevant but it's nice to know all the same.
13. The South Bank
Leave Waterloo station by exit 6 and you're a stone's throw from the South Bank, home to the London eye (pointless), the British film institute, a beautifully jarring concrete ogre of a building and a general relaxed ambience. This is the best place to come and do nothing except stroll, people watch and eventually find yourself at the Tate Modern, which is always worth a visit.
14. Cuabana's restaurant, Waterloo
Take exit 1 this time and you'll eventually find Cuabana's, a Cuban restaraunt that does comfort food like no other. Sweet potato mash, creamed spinach, mince parcels and lethal Mojitos. If you've spent a day fighting the masses of London in the pouring rain, Cubana's will be like a hot bath for your soul.
15. Greenwich
The place where time began, Greenwhich has a beautiful park, a good little market and brilliant views of the city but not much in the way of fashion. It wouldn't be on the list but last week I found a Lanvin tie for a tenner in a shop called The Observatory. Enough said.
16. Hoxton
This is another East London area that's become a bit too big for it's boots but like Brick Lane, it does have it's good points. You'll see some crrrraaazzzy people wearing neon clothes and plenty of fashionable types swanning about like they're Jefferson Hack. Also home to Jay Jopling's White Cube gallery and The Hoxton Bar and Grill where Boom Box is held. If you read Dazed and Confused you'll love it here.
17. Saville Row
The problem with Saville Row is that the world's finest tailors do not operate like normal shops. There are no window displays to marvel at, and you can't just go in and try something on, because they haven't made it for you yet. Still, worth going just to catch sight of the best dressed men you're ever likely to see, going about their daily business as if in t shirt and shorts.
18. Leicester Square
Hmmm, another dubious one this, but if ever a place could make you thank God for having taste, Leicester square on a Friday night is it. Walk through the warzone of chain pubs and fast food outlets, quietly rejoicing that you aren't wearing beige loafers and a check shirt decorated in your own vomit.
19. The Westbourne pub, Westbourne park tube.
If you can't be arsed to get to Clapham, The Westbourne is a more than ample substitute for Sunday drinking/ posing. Beautiful, friendly people, rare groove on the stereo and not a beer soaked yob in sight. Also a very real chance of being invited back to a rich person's pad for an after party, which is always nice.
20. Agent Provocateur, Broadwick Street
A 50's pin up style underwear shop that sells the best knickers in London? And it's full of beautiful women covered in interesting tattoos who like to flirt? And your girlfriend will be thrilled to know you've been, as long as you bring her something back. What was the address again?
Monday 7 April 2008
Get your fash' on in London
In no particular order, twenty places worth seeing if you're in London.
1. Brick Lane
For the last ten years people have been raving on about how cool East London is, and for a while it was. Recently though it's become a victim of it's own success, full of wanky scensters wearing shoes that don't match. However, Brick Lane and the surrounding area still has some quirky independant shops selling young labels, plenty of clubs to get lost in, regardless of what day it is and so many curry houses you'll feel like you're in Delhi.
2. Selfridges
In my own experience, Selfridges is a beast so large that only the bravest shopper will tame it. So many brands, styles, trends and outlets in one place is mind boggling, but if you're looking for everything from Topman to Tom Ford under one roof then this is the place.
3. Brown's store, South Molton Street
I used to work for a stylist who borrowed a king's ransom of Raf Simons and Lanvin shop stock from Brown's on the pretext of using it in a fashion shoot. After he'd worn it all to an awards bash and gone clubbing in it afterwards i had to iron and return it like nothing had happened. I've never been back, which is a shame because it's a superb place to buy beautiful clothes away from the crowds of day trippers that Selfridges attracts. Better still, it's extremely close to Bond street Tube.
4. Liberty of London, Department store.
An oasis of Victorian charm set in the maelstrom that is Carnaby street, as soon as you walk through Liberty's doors you know this is not the average department store. There's something about the place that lulls and relaxes you making it entirely possible to spend hours browsing the racks of Dries, McQueen and just about anyone else who matters. They've also opened an old fashioned male barber shop, Murdoch's, where a cut throat shave and something for the weekend is at your fingertips.
5. Koko, club/venue, Camden.
This time last year, if you wanted the Ibiza experience on a Saturday night, you could head to Turnmills, The Cross, Canvas or The Key and completely let go. Sadly, thanks to the relocation of the Eurostar and complaints from residents, all four of these immense clubs have closed. Yes London has a Pacha, and a Ministry of Sound, but they suck. Koko though, is big, full of character and an epic venue for the world's best Dj's. Rejoice.
6. Movida bar and night club.
Now bear with me here. A vaccuous, wannabe ridden den of half stars and Z listers this may be but regardless of that, Movida should be experienced. Why? Because in this country, the beautiful youth of London's surrounding provinces rarely travel in to London, preferring instead to be big fish in small ponds. When they do though, they all look like superstars. They are immaculately dressed, groomed and styled. The men straighten their hair without a trace of irony, wear t shirts cut to the navel with ease and never, ever go without fake tan. Not necessarily everyone's scene, but a sight to behold nevertheless.
7. Soho
Soho is a warren of clubs, bars and weird little shops that don't really serve any purpose. However, on any given night of the week you are likely to stumble across the best and worst of the British fashion scene either having a drink after a hard day's styling or getting 'papped' falling out of a club. An excellent place to go and soak up the atmosphere created when fashion, crime, sex and celebrity all collide in an area no bigger than a square mile.
8. Topshop, Oxford Circus
Like an enormous fashion warship sailed off course and crashed straight into the of capital, Topshop reigns over Oxford street, London and indeed the entire nation as the most comprehensive place to find new trends. There's a vintage section, a high fashion section, a basics section and, praise be, a shoe section too. Everything is cheap, most of it is cool, and there's always someone interesting to stare at.
9. The Whitehouse, Clapham.
A short train ride out of the capital and you're in Clapham, the home of London's after party. Maybe it's the inviting space of the common, maybe it's the number of dingy bars, maybe it's the high volume of Australians in one place. Who knows? Whatever it is, this is where you'll find the capital's bright young things trashed but 'fashed' to the max every Sunday. Apparently dressing is easier when you've done drugs.
10. Floridita restaurant, Wardour street
Amazing food, even better cocktails and a live salsa band featuring the little one from the Chuckle Brothers ( Americans, type it into youtube), what's not to love?
Ten down, ten to go. They'll be up by tonight I promise.
1. Brick Lane
For the last ten years people have been raving on about how cool East London is, and for a while it was. Recently though it's become a victim of it's own success, full of wanky scensters wearing shoes that don't match. However, Brick Lane and the surrounding area still has some quirky independant shops selling young labels, plenty of clubs to get lost in, regardless of what day it is and so many curry houses you'll feel like you're in Delhi.
2. Selfridges
In my own experience, Selfridges is a beast so large that only the bravest shopper will tame it. So many brands, styles, trends and outlets in one place is mind boggling, but if you're looking for everything from Topman to Tom Ford under one roof then this is the place.
3. Brown's store, South Molton Street
I used to work for a stylist who borrowed a king's ransom of Raf Simons and Lanvin shop stock from Brown's on the pretext of using it in a fashion shoot. After he'd worn it all to an awards bash and gone clubbing in it afterwards i had to iron and return it like nothing had happened. I've never been back, which is a shame because it's a superb place to buy beautiful clothes away from the crowds of day trippers that Selfridges attracts. Better still, it's extremely close to Bond street Tube.
4. Liberty of London, Department store.
An oasis of Victorian charm set in the maelstrom that is Carnaby street, as soon as you walk through Liberty's doors you know this is not the average department store. There's something about the place that lulls and relaxes you making it entirely possible to spend hours browsing the racks of Dries, McQueen and just about anyone else who matters. They've also opened an old fashioned male barber shop, Murdoch's, where a cut throat shave and something for the weekend is at your fingertips.
5. Koko, club/venue, Camden.
This time last year, if you wanted the Ibiza experience on a Saturday night, you could head to Turnmills, The Cross, Canvas or The Key and completely let go. Sadly, thanks to the relocation of the Eurostar and complaints from residents, all four of these immense clubs have closed. Yes London has a Pacha, and a Ministry of Sound, but they suck. Koko though, is big, full of character and an epic venue for the world's best Dj's. Rejoice.
6. Movida bar and night club.
Now bear with me here. A vaccuous, wannabe ridden den of half stars and Z listers this may be but regardless of that, Movida should be experienced. Why? Because in this country, the beautiful youth of London's surrounding provinces rarely travel in to London, preferring instead to be big fish in small ponds. When they do though, they all look like superstars. They are immaculately dressed, groomed and styled. The men straighten their hair without a trace of irony, wear t shirts cut to the navel with ease and never, ever go without fake tan. Not necessarily everyone's scene, but a sight to behold nevertheless.
7. Soho
Soho is a warren of clubs, bars and weird little shops that don't really serve any purpose. However, on any given night of the week you are likely to stumble across the best and worst of the British fashion scene either having a drink after a hard day's styling or getting 'papped' falling out of a club. An excellent place to go and soak up the atmosphere created when fashion, crime, sex and celebrity all collide in an area no bigger than a square mile.
8. Topshop, Oxford Circus
Like an enormous fashion warship sailed off course and crashed straight into the of capital, Topshop reigns over Oxford street, London and indeed the entire nation as the most comprehensive place to find new trends. There's a vintage section, a high fashion section, a basics section and, praise be, a shoe section too. Everything is cheap, most of it is cool, and there's always someone interesting to stare at.
9. The Whitehouse, Clapham.
A short train ride out of the capital and you're in Clapham, the home of London's after party. Maybe it's the inviting space of the common, maybe it's the number of dingy bars, maybe it's the high volume of Australians in one place. Who knows? Whatever it is, this is where you'll find the capital's bright young things trashed but 'fashed' to the max every Sunday. Apparently dressing is easier when you've done drugs.
10. Floridita restaurant, Wardour street
Amazing food, even better cocktails and a live salsa band featuring the little one from the Chuckle Brothers ( Americans, type it into youtube), what's not to love?
Ten down, ten to go. They'll be up by tonight I promise.
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