Making the most of salon - shopping
Published
27th Sep 2007
by
sophieh
There is only one place to be over the weekend of 13-15 October - ExCel London for the three-day event that is Salon International.
With the
Hair Show,
Salon Live Shows,
Salon Seminars, and
Salon Business Extra - not to mention all the fun of Trend Vision, the Alternative Hair Show and the Goldwell Rockmantic Party - there won't be a dull moment.
But if you're taking time out from the exhibition or have some free time, there's no excuse for failing to the most of London and all the its multi-cultural delights.
As we countdown to the big weekend, we'll have suggestions for the best places to go to seek inspiration, have a bite to eat or go for a big night out, in the capital; but there's no better place to start than where to shop.
And from local market stalls to 60s-style boutique shops and world-famous department stores, you'll be spoilt for choice...
Must Visit
The destination: Selfridges & Co, 400 Oxford Street, London
Nearest tube: Bond Street (Jubilee/ Central lines)
Why go? If you only visit one shop in London, make it Selfridges. It’s the most fun, funky and exciting department store this side of the Atlantic. It has everything, from the massive beauty hall on the ground floor with MAC, Benefit, Stila and Care by Stella McCartney counters, to the Ultralounge – an über-cool event space on the lower ground floor, now showcasing the new talent of Conrad Shawcross. Not to mention the sheer range of designer threads on offer, with latest collections from Herve Leger, Richard Chai, Mulberry and Burberry. What are you waiting for?
The destination: Liberty, 210-220 Regent Street, London
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus (Victoria/Bakerloo/Central lines)
Why go? Liberty might be known as the quintessential English department store but it’s certainly not staid or stuffy. As an alternative to mainstream shopping it holds luxurious, international goods, many of which would make ideal gifts. It’s famous for its Liberty Prints – sumptuous fabrics mostly in bohemian floral patterns and has six retail-packed floors.
The destination: Old Spitalfields Market, The Horner Building, 105a Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London (Sunday 9am - 5pm)
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street (Metropolitan/ Circle/ Central/ Hammersmith and City lines)
Why go? It’s East London’s most famous market and is home to a creative community at the forefront of interiors, fashion, the arts and food. You can pick up anything from Fair Trade cushions and rare vinyl to lovingly crafted notebooks and hand-carved toy trains. Serious fashionistas might even find jewel-encrusted vintage boots and, if you’re really lucky, some first collections from up-and-coming designers.
The destination: Portobello Market, Portobello Road, London (Sat 8am-6.30pm)
Nearest tube: Notting Hill Gate (District/ Circle/ Central lines) Ladbroke Grove (Hammersmith and City line)
Why go? It’s a world-famous market that has featured in many films set in London, most notably Notting Hill. Highly regarded for its second-hand and antique sections, it also sells art, clothing and a vibrant array of fruit, vegetables, cakes and bread. Be prepared to walk for miles and elbow your way through the crowds though, as this is one of London’s most popular tourist destinations, but well worth the effort.
The destination: Brick Lane Market, Brick Lane, London (Sunday 8am - 2pm)
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street (Metropolitan/ Circle/ Central/Hammersmith and City lines)
Why go? An old East London market made famous by Monica Ali’s novel of the same name – and significantly less polished than Portobello and Spitalfields. You’ll find mounds of broken furniture and chipped china with some antique gems hidden in between if you’re lucky. It sells everything from household goods to exotic food, and from electrical equipment to clothes. The Bangladeshi and Indian communities have fabric shops along the street and you can find beautiful dresses and shoes at knock-down prices. A word of warning: stay away from the cheap Rolex watches.
The Best of the Rest
The destination: Bond Street, London
Nearest tube: Bond Street (Jubilee/Central lines)
Why go? Bond Street boasts one of the biggest and best concentrations of designer shops in the world as well as a range of antique stores and markets.
The destination: Carnaby Street
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus (Victoria/Bakerloo/Central lines); Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly/Bakerloo)
Why go? MAC, Diesel, Miss Sixty and Energie, Replay, Size? Ollie and Nic are just some of the stores within moments of each other on the funky cobbled street
The destination: Top Shop, Oxford Circus (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am -8.30pm; Sun 11.30am-6pm)
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus (Victoria/Bakerloo/Central lines)
Why go? It’s Britain’s largest fashion store and the new Kate Moss autumn/winter collection has just arrived.
The destination: Camden Market (10am-6pm but eat, drink and party late into the evening)
Nearest Tube: Camden Town (Northern line) Camden Road (Silverlink national rail)
Why go? Four markets, selling everything from fashion, designer, alternative & vintage clothing and accessories to one-off pieces of art, furnishings, antiques, jewellery.
The destination: Harrods (mon-Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 12pm-6pm
Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge (Piccadilly line)
Why go? It's Harrods, need we say more?
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