Madeleine's shopping guide
Within moments of leaving the St James’s Hotel and Club, the temptation to shop is overwhelming. The quintessential “Top to Toe” guide to shopping is as follows.
Horton Fine Jewellery: Specialists in new and antique fine jewellery, Horton has been established for over 30 years with friendly and knowledgeable staff delivering a high quality, professional service. They are located in elegant premises in the Piccadilly Arcade, with its unique blend of specialist shops. A full design service is available for bespoke pieces, fashioned by highly skilled craftsmen. Horton also stocks a select range of international jewellery brands.
Edward Bates Ltd: have supplied stylish hats and caps to discerning gentlemen from their enchanting Jermyn Street shop in London since the turn of the century. Today it is still a family business, offering a personal and friendly service to customers from throughout the world.
James Lock: Founded in 1676, Lock & Co. is a family owned business providing ladies’ and gentlemen’s quality headwear and a high standard of personal service. Following the film release of “Sex and the City”, Lock’s have received an unprecedented demand for their hat boxes. Inspired by this, they have created a special edition luxurious leather box handbag "The Carrie” which was modelled on their famous white hat box.
Dunhill: Since 1893 Dunhill has made bespoke products on the request of customers to completely meet their needs. Dunhill caters to the needs of the discerning gentleman, from formal and casual menswear, to handcrafted leather goods through to jewellery, fragrance and timepieces.
Turnbull and Asser: Ever since opening their doors in 1885 Turnbull & Asser have been renowned as a centre of excellent taste in menswear. Best known for their shirts and ties, they have dressed royalty, world leaders, stars of the entertainment world, captains of industry and customers who appreciate a unique product made to the highest standards of quality.
Thomas Pink: Every Thomas Pink shirt is an exercise in perfection. All shirts have been crafted to the same exacting standards, keeping alive the impeccable heritage of London’s Jermyn Street, home of traditional British shirt-making. Each shirt is constructed from the finest-quality two-fold cotton, immaculately cut and finished.
John Lobb: The current Lobb premises at number 9 St James’s Street is on the very spot once occupied by Lord Byron's bachelor establishment. Lobb shoes have become a synonym for quality and elegance. In contrast to the factory-made article, a pair of Lobb’s handmade shoes is a work of art, unique to their owner. They are created by the teamwork of a number of specialized craftsmen, all of whom have served long apprenticeships to acquire their particular skills.
Favourbrook: A selection of sophisticated and unique evening, day and wedding wear. Offering an eclectic mix of styles and shapes, Favourbrook gives a modern twist to traditional tailoring. The menswear collection is drawn from a modern approach to three hundred years of elegant British dress while keeping very firmly in touch with the present. Favourbrook is also for the discerning modern woman of any age who appreciates both quality and originality.
Fortnum and Mason: For three centuries Fortnum's has been committed to bringing the world's best products to Piccadilly – often from continents away. Fresh food, though, has always come from as close to these Isles as possible. Fortnum and Mason offers a cornucopia of food and drink, gifts and luxuries. Whilst the Food Hall does offer the widest range of luxurious products, the rest of the store is often overlooked by visitors.
D.R. Harris & Co: As one of London’s oldest pharmacies, they have been in St James’s Street for over 200 years. The interior is very traditional in the style of a Victorian apothecary. This family-owned business holds the warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales. They are renowned for their range of quality products for men and women. These include soaps, colognes, bath and shaving preparations, skin care and aromatherapy oils. The majority of their products are still produced by traditional methods, being hand-made and hand packaged on their premises.
Truefitt and Hill: Throughout its entire history, Truefitt & Hill have been involved in the production of Hairdressings, Shampoos, Perfumes, and Colognes. A haircut, a shave with hot towels and a manicure at Truefitt & Hill leaves a gentleman ready to face the world knowing that he has been well and truly groomed for the occasion, whatever it may be, by one of England's Hairdressing Aristocracy.
