Hana Razvi’s Top Fashion Favorites in London
Written by Hana Razvi
London is a metropolitan hot bed for fashion lovers from all over the world. With an agenda focused on dressing to impress, the city itself leaves no stone unturned. From producing renowned designers such as Vivienne Westwood & Alexander McQueen to displaying the highest honor of fashion archives in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London offers everything a fashion connoisseur seeks to find. Since I began studying abroad here in January, I have been fortunate enough to explore the fashion scene. Each borough in London has its own unique charm and brings an entirely new meaning to personal style through its diversity and rich culture.
BOND STREET
A classic first stop in the city. Set in the heart of Mayfair, the glitz and glamour of Bond Street really only leaves room for window shopping most of the time, yet it provides inspiration for the quintessential fashion expert. The area is well known for its elegant brands, elusive stores and designer fashion. anything from innovative pop art pieces by Italian designer Seletti to the sparkliest dresses from iconic fashion label Retrofête. Selfridges’ sleek yellow and black bag never goes unnoticed across the streets of downtown London. Its contents are filled with the latest season’s plaid skirts, tweed sets & stylish accessories from the city’s most creative trendsetters.
PORTOBELLO ROAD
Just a few tube stops over from Bond Street, the UK’s best vintage curators and antique sellers band together to showcase the most stunning collection of archive pieces in the heart of Notting Hill. The iconic Portobello Green Canopy houses some of fashion’s most iconic brands such as Ralph Lauren, Burberry & Dior. This market connects celebrity stylists looking to curate vintage pieces for the next influential designer. Those on a budget are no short of places to shop, either. Best known for their antiques, Portobello Market serves its purpose as the ground for the rise of statement pieces and one-of-a-kind clothing. Due to the diversity in pieces, traders often accept bargains on. The key is to be respectful and for a confident purchase, look out for vendors that display the PADA (Portobello Antique Dealers Association) sticker on their stalls.
CAMDEN MARKET
A fashion staple in the city of London, Camden Market has established itself as one of the most impactful areas in the UK fashion scene since its inception in the 1970s The fashion scene in Camden Town was influenced by the music scene, a completely new concept to London as there was no influx of name brands or catwalks in the area. Since it is a new melting pot of new and polarizing music and fashion, Camden Market is the place to be if you are looking to grow into a more ‘alternative style’. A large portion of the market is derived from the history of British subcultures and the rising popularity of punk rock music. Anyone who bought a leather jacket, low rise Levi’s, graphic t-shirts, chunky jewelry or platform boots was bound to receive a compliment in passing on how unique their style was. Currently, Camden Market is a staple for unique jewelry pieces and vintage sourcing. There are dozens of stalls for any accessory you can think of, as well as dozens of opportunities to meet some of the coolest and kindest workers who have been there since the beginning of the market over 50 years ago.
BRICK LANE
The iconic Sunday Brick Lane market is a hub for the best Y2K and trendy style pieces. Vintage sources from across the entire continent of Europe display their best finds at The Truman Bowery. A multitude of small boutiques and businesses sell clothes and accessories as far back as the 1920s! Brick Lane is the place to go when in search of a faux fur statement coat, fuzzy hats, bedazzled jeans and graphic tank tops that give off Paris Hilton during ‘The Simple Life.’ If you spend enough time around the market, you are bound to find a statement or basic outfit for both men and women alike. Many of their clothing is produced and sourced ethically and sustainably, as majority is secondhand. They even have a huge outlet collection with the sickest pieces at discounted prices.
HARRODS
If you’re looking for a broader market with every designer, clothing and accessory you could imagine, Harrods is the place to go. With an occupancy of over 3000 brands, there is a place for everyone to explore their personal style through the versatility in fashion. Harrods is considered the most sophisticated department store in all of Britain. They fashion and take pride in the quality of their pieces. The majority of their branding revolves around the labels that they carry. Ironically, the cheapest brand of clothing is their own. Home to other fashion brands such as Bottega Veneta and Chanel, Harrods does not shy away from an opportunity to impress their customers.
Edited by Katherine Rubinstein and Brett Byers
