By Courtney Dean
Paris may be the holy grail of fashion but when it comes to boutique shopping, London wins hands down. Any fashionista will tell you that the city has some of the most cutting-edge stores and independent designers' showrooms around. You will find some of the best boutiques in London offering collections oozing tons of street style. When it comes to fashion, this bustling city speaks its own language and you only have to walk through the streets to witness first-hand the locals’ unique style. If you are in town and planning to do some shopping then I would definitely recommend checking out London's boutique shops. Not sure where to start? These are my 7 favourite independent designer boutiques London to kickstart your adventure.
HUB
Not to be confused with the goliath chain store, HUB is a lovely boutique in London. Owned by sisters Georgie Cook and Louise Power, you will find this store in the North London Borough of Hackney. There is also another location that is dedicated strictly to menswear, as well as a third location in Broadway Market. HUB has a wide variety of British and European brands to choose from and even has an in-house label known as ‘Allsea’, which in itself is reason enough to visit Hackney. HUB is the go-to boutique in London for the super trendy, scandi-blogger style, and right now it’s full of warm knitwear for the chilly London winter. Whether you’re looking for designer gems, basic daywear or ultra-stylish streetwear, HUB has it all.
The Goodhood Store
If you are looking for designer boutiques in London then I would recommend you scope out The Goodhood Store. Located in the eclectic area of Shoreditch, here you will find a collection of over 200 brands in women's and men's streetwear, as well as home-wear and jewellery. Their style is minimalistic and design focused, and they offer the perfect combination of mainstream and unique merchandise. The Goodhood Store has it all, whether you’re shopping for Avant Garde, luxury, contemporary or streetwear, you’ll find it there! However, a personal favourite at this charming London boutique shop is the home-wear, and this is a must visit store if you find yourself in East London.
Couverture & The Garbstore
As you may well know, London boutique clothing is all the rage and if you are embarking upon a shopping spree then Couverture & The Garbstore needs to feature in your itinerary. Created by Emily Dyson and Ian Paley in 2008, you will find this boutique in London's Notting Hill in a three-story converted townhouse. The store offers a curated selection of womenswear, menswear, home-wear and accessories and features a Scandinavian aesthetic. This London boutique shop focuses on empowering emerging and independent labels that have a story to tell, instead of the mainstream mayhem. Emily Dyson’s Couverture is located on the ground and first floor, while Ian Paley’s The Garbstore is located on the lower ground floor. This is the go-to stop if you’re shopping with the boys; you’ll all be leaving with stylish new looks or if it’s just you, bringing home a cult designer piece to spruce up his wardrobe as well as your own.
LN-CC
LN-CC is one boutique in London you won’t want to miss! This store, located in Dalston, is an innovative retail space that is housed within an art installation and has a bar and a club space. With a unique mix of luxury clothing from both young new talent, independent and mainstream designers, as well as a rare book and music collection, this is the mecca of boutique shopping in London. LN-CC has both directional pieces from Haider Ackerman and Central St Martins graduates. This boutique is one of the most unique and cool shopping experiences you’ll find in London, and it’s worth a visit even if you aren’t looking to make a purchase! The fascinating architecture of the art installation in the boutique is definitely insta-worthy.
Dover Street Market
Dover Street Market, also known as DSML is another must-see boutique in London's Mayfair area. However, if the name sounds familiar that’s because there are locations all over the world, including New York, Tokyo and Singapore! The London boutique shop has five floors and offers independent and mainstream designers from the UK, as well as internationally. They sell womenswear, menswear, home-wear and have their own in-house bakery, Rose Bakery. Dover Street Market is a must-see if you’re in London, it’s a massive boutique that really has it all. This store encompasses the energy of London’s exciting indoor market, while still maintaining exclusivity and rare finds.
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