Destination Stores - Where to go for a truly unique Shopping experience

This article from me was posted on fashionsalade last week:

London is an amazing city when it comes to shopping but can also be a little overwhelming. The city offers much more than just Oxford Street and Topshop. It is full of exciting boutiques, some with unusual concepts others packed full of rare finds and not just one has got what it takes to make a shopper’s heart beat faster.

Here is my selection of stores with a real wow-factor:

Boxpark, Shoreditch

Packing your shopping in boxes, maybe. But shopping in boxes?

Boxpark, conveniently located right next to Shoreditch High Street Station is the world’s first pop-up mall built entirely of shipping containers. They are cleverly stacked up and house a selection of groundbreaking brands and eateries. As a Boxpark tenant you have to be flexible and adapt to your unusual surroundings.  While it’s high and wide in other stores it’s long and narrow in Boxpark. Still, what came out is revolutionary and definitely worth a visit.

With twenty fashion brands offering exclusive limited edition items and regular special promotions (check out their website and get 20% off), Boxpark should not be missed. It will be gone in less than 5 years so be there and see square.

For store details click here 

LN-CC

LN-CC, Dalston

LN-CC is an appointment only concept store in east London that is worth a visit alone for its dramatic entrance. A futuristic skeletal tunnel constructed from raw wood is glowing orange through acrylic lights and leads the way to 560 square meters of retail space. The store stocks a selection of the best mainline brands fused with underground Japanese labels plus the best of up-and-coming designers from across the world. What you find here you probably won’t find anywhere else which explains their huge international fanbase.

The pieces are showcased in seven completely different concept rooms each with its own focus and feel. Don’t forget to check out the book and record store and if you get the chance sneak a peak into their very own nightclub space. Clothing, music and art, a killer combination and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

For store details click here 

Village Bicycle, Notting Hill

Willa Keswick’s lifestyle boutique in Notting Hill is every fashion girls dream.  It’s an art gallery like fashion wonderland with crucifixes on neon flashing walls, skulls in every shape and colour (if you ever wanted a skull shaped telephone covered in Swarovski crystals you get it here), books, stickers, sweets, jewellery and a lot of clothes.

If you’re after up-and-coming young designers such as A.F. Vandevorst, Clemency of London, Felder Felder or brands like We are Handsome, Tripp Jeans, Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony, and DANNIJO this is the place to go. The selection is playful and cool for girls who like to take risks and have fun with fashion. Prices range from £2 to £2000; so there should be something for everyone. Expect to spend hours.

For store details click here 

United Nude, Covent Garden

When I first saw pictures of United Nude I couldn’t believe this is a store (and not an art project) and was thrilled to find out it’s right here in Covent Garden. Spanning nearly 200 square meters the store is encased in total darkness. This is until a massive LED wall comes to live presenting each shoe like a piece of art in its own frame and in ever changing colours of light. The Wall of Light is connected to the sound system and changes slowly in sync with the music. It is for sure an impressive introduction and you won’t be disappointed by the ‘art’ either. United Nude shoes are elegant, innovative and equally dramatic as the place they’re coming from.

For store details click here 

Tatty Devine, Seven Dials

Tatty Devine is a quirky little boutique selling plastic jewellery. Don’t snub your nose before you’ve seen it. Plastic has never been presented in a more fun and truly unique way. Tatty Devine somehow manages to create the most amazing shapes, figures and colours. If it's sunglasses complete with extra large lashes, a Mexican skull in eye popping colours or a statement necklace made of the bones of a huge dinosaur, it has “want it” written all over it.  This shop is a real treat and has instant feel-good vibes.

For store details click here