There's been a host of new store openings in London this week. Here's my round up of the ones to visit.
Coach Opens Second UK Store on Regent Street Yesterday saw the opening of Coach's third UK store, its second standalone after New Bond Street. Founded in 1941 as a family-run workshop in a Manhattan loft, six artisans handcrafted a collection of leather goods using skills handed down from generation to generation. Discerning consumers soon began to seek out the quality and unique nature of Coach Craftsmanship and the brand now has stores across the globe. For this exciting store opening they have created the brand new Bleecker Legacy bag in five colours which are exclusive to this new store. £575. 74-76 Regent Street. For more information visit http://uk.coach.com
Prada Renews its Sloane Street Store After renovating its image, Prada opens its historic Sloane Street London store offering men's and women's ready-to-wear, footwear, leather goods and accessories collections. The store, designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, has a wide storefront with two entrances and five windows covered in black marble extending over 470 square metres. Inside the store, colours, materials and atmosphere express the Prada brand's traditional global image. The area offering women's bags and accessories is characterised by the traditional Prada 'niches', covered in green fabric and finished in steel and mirror, to create a seductive, sophisticated environment. The furnishing is completed with polished steel and crystal counters and beige carpeting on the floor. In the footwear area, the same environment is enriched by green velvet “Clover Leaf” sofas, designed by Verner Panton and exclusively reproduced for Prada. The women's ready-to-wear room has display cases in transparent perspex blades - all along the perimeter walls - that stand out against soft green fabric curtained walls. Next to the ready-to-wear area, an intimate and private room is reserved for special guests. The men's area is mostly furnished with very masculine materials: castorino-coloured carpeting on the floor, green fabric on the walls, polished steel and saffiano leather in the display cases and counters and castorino-coloured velvet seats. Beautiful. At 43-45 Sloane Street.
Spencer Hart Pop Up Shop Luxury brand Spencer Hart has opened their first Pop Up Shop in London’s One New Change, to support the Dallaglio Foundation (founded by Lawrence Dallaglio). The shop will help raise funds for the Dallaglio Foundation, which supports causes close to Lawrence’s heart. Cancer Research UK is one of the major beneficiaries and projects include Rugby for Change, which encourages children who lack support in their lives to play rugby. Spencer Hart’s luxury menswear has been reduced to cost price with suits available from just £350 -£375. Other items offered at cost price include shirts, trousers, coats, ties and scarves, with a minimum of 20% from each sale going directly to the Dallaglio Foundation. In addition, 12 of suits signed exclusively by Lawrence are on sale for just £375, with £75 going to the Foundation. Further opportunities to donate will be available in store, via text and online. Open now on the lower floor (just off the Atrium) of One New Change until 1st June. Monday – Friday 10am - 5pm (late night opening until 8pm on Thursdays) Saturday 10am - 6pm.
Duchamp Pop-Up Shop Speaking of menswear pop-ups, Duchamp have opened a temporary store on Regent Street. At the end of last year Duchamp closed their Regent Street store and since then have been inundated via social media with queries from loyal Regent Street customers. Although still present in nearby Jermyn St, the iconic men’s brand has opened a ‘pop-up’ shop for summer 2012 specialising in suiting. The store sees a focus on occasion tailoring, with a dedicated 1st floor housing a spring/ summer collection perfect for weddings and summer occasions. Accessories are also key; famed for their bright graphic pochettes, cufflinks and socks, this season sees the classics reinvented in the seasons coolest pastel hues and floral prints. The ‘pop up’ has enlisted the help of visual merchandising guru James Shouli to design a special TS Elliot themed window. Open until the end August 2012 at Regent Street's Quadrant Arcade. Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 12pm - 6pm. www.duchamplondon.com Love Laurel x
