WINTER WONDERLAND

THE ULTIMATE LONDON SHOPPING TRIP

Not only is London a major destination for winter visitors, it also boasts some of the most sought-after luxury shopping

outlets and department stores in the world. The ‘big five’ internationally recognisable grande dames will be a feature on any style conscious visitor’s to do list: Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, Harvey

Nichols and Fortnum & Mason. But London also boasts a wealth of concept stores, lesser known independents, and spe tacular flagships that are equally essential visits when in the capital. We’ve curated a choice of London’s to stores for the ultimate guide to luxury shopping in the British capital this winter.

Written by Martin Mason

sELFRIDgES

If you’re an avid shopaholic you’ll already be familiar with the wellknown luxury department store Selfridges & Co, which has 4 locations scattered across the UK. Established in 1909, the flagship store on Oxford Street is the second largest shopping centre in Britain. The store spans 6 floors and boasts the world’s biggest denim department stocking over 11,000 jeans from a variety of 60 luxury brands. The store offers 11 places to eat. We recommend heading to Aubaine for beautiful floral backdrops for the perfect Instagram photo….and for top-notch food of course!

HARRODS

More than just a shopping destination, Harrods is an iconic British landmark with 184 years of history behind it. If you’re after decadence, sheer opulence and exclusive one of a kind products then head down to Harrods to fulfil your desires. Located in affluent Knightsbridge, Harrods is the largest luxury department store in Britain with 330 departments spread across 7 floors. The store sells everything from fashion and food to homeware and technology. If you’re a shoeaholic make sure you check out Shoe Heaven on the 5th floor. The entire floor is dedicated to shoes stocking more than 100,000 pairs from the world’s best designers. No trip to Harrods is complete without a visit to their legendary food halls, serving a selection of the finest delicacies, confectionaries and wines from around the globe.

boNd street

This iconic street boasts an abundance of luxury shops, designer fashion, fine jewels, antiques and flagship stores. Located in the heart of Mayfair, the street is divided into 2 sections. The southern section, Old Bond Street, is home to many fine jewellery stores such as Tiffany & Co, De Beers and Cartier. The northern section, New Bond Street, is home to couture fashion houses including Chanel, Dior and Hermes. We recommend checking out the flagship Louis Vuitton store, opened in 2010. It’s the largest Louis Vuitton store in Europe with 4 magnificent floors of pure luxury and even boasts a VIP apartment for exclusive clientele.

SlOane Street

The only other street in London that can give Bond Street a run for its money is Sloane Street, which is lined with luxurious designer brands featuring jaw-dropping window displays. It’s the prize location of many flagship stores including Gucci, Tom Ford, Escada and more. Located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, it’s within walking distance of both Harrods and Harvey Nichols. When exploring Sloane Street, you’ll notice a common theme – supercars galore! The glamourous street attracts the very wealthy, so get ready to feast your eyes on Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bugattis after a hard day of shopping.

Liberty LoNdOn

Unlike other luxury shopping destinations, Liberty has a unique character steeped in British heritage. Its monochrome Tudor style architecture is a real stand out feature. The entrance is lined with beautiful flower bouquets - a great spot for picture-perfect moments or to snap a quick selfie. Although it sells luxury goods including fashion, homeware and cosmetics, the emporium is known for its flamboyant textile prints and fabrics. Explore their huge selection of superior prints, you’ll find everything you need from furnishing fabrics to haberdashery. Whether you’re an aspiring designer or a luxury connoisseur, you’re guaranteed to find something exquisite.

IcoN OutlEt

Opened in 2018, this premium urban outlet added to the capital’s already flourishing set of elite style offerings. With 85 stores selling luxury high-end fashion in the dome of Greenwich’s O2, Icon Outlet welcomed designer shopping to the famed entertainment venue for the first time. A host of restaurants and bars keep shoppers refreshed, while you can take advantage of exclusive services, including personal shoppers and stylists, hands-free shopping and a deluxe tax back lounge.