Chelsea Insider Low - Cadogan

70 | SHOPPING | Spotlight on shopsuses unusual stones and her designs areclassical with a quirky touch.Monday-Friday 10am-5.30pm, openon some Saturdays (closed on Saturdaysin July and August).147 Sloane Street, SW1X 9BZT: 020 7730 2202www.cassandragoad.comChloéKnown for its elegant, feminine andromantic collections, Chloé celebrates its60th anniversary in 2012. While there areChloé ranges in luxury department storesincluding Harrods and Harvey Nichols,this is London’s only standalone Chloéboutique. It offers ready-to-wear, accessoriesand fragrance lines.Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm(Wednesday until 7pm).152-153 Sloane Street, SW1X 9BXT: 020 7823 5348www.chloe.comLulu GuinnessBritish accessories designer LuluGuinness is famous for her witty handbagsand some of her designs are in thepermanent fashion collection atthe Victoria and AlbertMuseum. Fashion fansshould make time to popinto her Ellis Street store –even if you don’t end upbuying anything, it’s awonderful showcase ofher quirky style.Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-6pm.3 Ellis Street, SW1X 9ALT: 020 7823 4828www.luluguinness.comManolo BlahnikShoe icon ManoloBlahnik’s flagship store is in OldChurch Street. His dramatic designsare spectacular – worth a look for anyfashion (or Sex and the City) fan.Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm.49-51 Old Church Street, SW3 5BST: 020 7352 8622www.manoloblahnik.comMaria GrachvogelDesigner Maria Grachvogel recentlymoved into Culford Gardens from SloaneStreet. The three-storey townhouse,designed by Russell Sage, features anatelier, a couture and bridal space andthe ready-to-wear collection.She says her aim is ‘to create piecesthat when worn make you look and feelamazing’ and her mission is to design forall women – rather than use a fit model,she uses real women. It makes for flattering,beautiful clothes, and her designsare often seen on the red carpet.Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm(Wednesday until 7pm).18 Culford Gardens, Blacklands Terrace,SW3 2ST. T: 020 7245 9331www.mariagrachvogel.comMary QuantMary Quant, the designer thatkickstarted the King’s Road’sreputation for fashion withBazaar in 1955 (see Historyand King’s Road in Streetsand Sights), has her selftitledLondon shop in Dukeof York Square. It sells fashionand cosmetics and thereis a makeover service.Monday-Saturday 10am-6.30pm (Wednesday until7pm), Sunday 11am-5pm.37 Duke of York Square,Lulu Guinness SW3 4LY. T: 020 7881 9833www.maryquant.co.ukRigby & PellerRigby & Peller, famous forits luxurious lingerie, hasheld the Royal Warrant of Appointmentas Corsetieres to the Queen since 1960.It’s a family-run business and its flagshipstore is on the King’s Road.Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm(Wednesday until 8pm), Sunday 12pm-6pm.13 King’s Road, SW3 4RPT: 0845 076 5545www.rigbyandpeller.comSelina BlowSelina Blow launched her first collectionin 1992 and is known for her sharp,clean tailoring and bold colours. Herready-to-wear range is available in herretail store just off Sloane Street.Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday11am-6pm.1 Ellis Street, SW1X 9AL. T: 020 77302077www.selinablow.comWorlds EndVivienne Westwood has played animportant role in Chelsea’s history (seeHistory and King’s Road in Streets andSights) and her presence is still felt onthe King’s Road with her wonderfullyeccentric shop.Its design is a fusion of The OldCuriousity Shop and a galleon,with a huge clock on its front thatspins backwards and deliberatelysloping floors. It is, infact, the same shop thatused to be called SEX –where Johnny Rottenauditioned for the SexPistols – and waslater rebrandedSeditionaries. It wasManoloBlahnikrenamed and remodelled as Worlds Endin 1980. With its unusual, outlandishand edgy fashion, it is still pushingboundaries and challenging the mainstreamtoday.430 King’s Road, SW10 0LRT: 020 7352 6551www.worldsendshop.co.ukSomethingdifferentBasia ZarzyckaA sparkling chest of accessories,garments, things for brides, antiquehandbags and hair combs, going intoBasia Zarzycka is like stepping intoanother world.She is inspired by nature and folklore,and her unique designs are unusual andspectacular, and her customers haveincluded Kylie Minogue, Johnny Deppand Monica Bellucci. Before last year'sRoyal wedding, Kate, William and Harrypaid a visit.Basia explains: “Everything here ismade from scratch using old-fashionedtechniques and I stamp it all with mypersonality, with flowers and stones andsparkly things, to bring a smile to people’sfaces.”Past commissions have included atiara for a real swan in an advertisement,and a wedding dress with a train 12metres long and weighing 42 kilos – theyhad to make little wheels to carry it on –studded with Swarovski crystals and3D flowers.54 Sloane Square, SW1W 8AXT: 020 7730 1660www.basia-zarzycka.comBritish Red CrossCharity shops in wealthy areas get somehigh quality donations, and the BritishRed Cross shop in Old Church Street iswell worth a look.