Posts Tagged "Selfridges"

30 Dec
2011

Our Best Bits: The VL Team’s London Highlights of 2011

Posted by Zoe Craig in London No Comments

Madelene Yeshin
All my theatre highlights took place at The National, from Danny Boyle’s mind-blowing production of Frankenstein, to the hilarious One Man, Two Guvnors and finally to the beautiful, romantic and funny play by Daniel Kitson –It’s Alright Now, until Later. On the food front, I had an incredible dining experience at Heston’s Dinner in Knightsbridge, and dicovered a new favourite Oxford Street eatery at Riding House Café – perfect for escaping the shopping crowds. Finally, my most bizarre experience of the year was rowing across the roof of Selfridges on an emerald lake courtesy of Bombas and Parr.

Lettice Kemp
My 2011 highlights included following the craft trail at the Thames Festival, seeing Milton Jones’ stand-up show, being utterly terrified by Daleks at the Doctor Who Experience, visiting the Tower Bridge Exhibition, watching Arthur “Rory” Darvill in Doctor Faustus at Shakespeare’s Globe and attending Knit Nation for the first time. Tapping into the trend for shocking Christmas jumpers, I took a one-day knitting class at Loop and mastered Fair Isle knitting. I also took a silver clay class at the London Jewellery School and a lampshade making class at The Make Lounge, both of which I heartily recommend. Best of all was South Pacific at the Barbican: just beautiful and dreamy.

Aly Garvey
There were some gorgeous exhibitions in London this year including the Glamour of the Gods at the National Portrait Gallery which I loved. Degas and the Ballet at the Royal Academy of Arts was fantastic too. I enjoyed dinner at two of London’s most well-known restaurants, the OXO Tower and the Rib Room which have both had refurbishments this year and reopened looking better than ever with food and drinks to match.

Hannah Collingbourne
After seeing Shrek The Musical, my friend declared, “That’s the best thing that’s happened to me all week!”. I have to agree; in fact it was one of my top events for the whole year. Audience members of all ages left the theatre with a smile on their face. If you need cheering up in the dark winter months after Christmas, I’d recommend a visit to Shrek.

Lisa Williams
Walking along the Southbank with all the beach huts, beach and drinking Pimms on the roof top garden bar during the Southbank Centre’s Festival of Britain was fantastic. I was also lucky enough to go to The O2 to watch the ATP Tennis semi-final matches, which was truly inspiring. Next would be my preview trip of the Harry Potter tour which is opening in March – I just couldn’t believe how much detail had gone into making the sets! Finally, my trip on the Orient Express: being treated like royalty, drinking champagne and eating divine food while pottering around in a beautiful train… what a year!

Jenny Owen
From the swashbuckling Pirates exhibition, to the beautiful and delicate paintings of Degas, it’s been a great year for soaking up some culture in London. I spent hours at the Mirό exhibiton at Tate Modern, and now we have the Dickens exhibition, which I think really deserves all the hype. Other stand-out moments included visiting The Ritz (every bit as decadent as I’d imagined); touring the Tower of London by night and visiting beautiful Lancaster House during a rare public opening.

Lianne Kolirin
Matilda was unquestionably the highlight of my year in London. The kids loved it too, but you don’t need a little one in tow to appreciate this musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic. I also enjoyed visiting World Travel Market over the autumn. Practically every country around the world occupies a tiny corner of the enormous ExCel exhibition centre. It’s so huge; you could spend a whole week taking in the atmosphere. Earlier in the year, I saw John Bishop compere a comedy benefit in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall. So many great acts, so many laughs. Best of the bunch was Seann Walsh, who is definitely a face to look out for in 2012.

Tom Butler
Skylight at Commonwealth Institute 2011 has been a great year for discovering new spaces in London, from inside the former Commonwealth Institute as part of Open House London, to the Eden Project-designed Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden & Bar for the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain. I’m glad this beautiful, grassy rooftop will be back in 2012. Other highlights included a Q&A with author Kazuo Ishiguro at a screening of Never Let Me Go in February (the venue, the Ritzy in Brixton, had an incredible year of events celebrating its 100th birthday), and Hackney Wicked in July. Finally, the best single moments were the decision to award the 2017 World Athletics Championships to London, and the discovery of (possibly) London’s best burritos at Picante Mexican Grillin Victoria – both are a fantastic result for the city.

Zoe Craig
There have been some great shows in London this year. Highlights for me included the brilliantly acted plays Clybourne Park, Frankenstein and The Westbridge; and classy musicals Crazy For You, Matilda and Betty Blue Eyes. Best of the lot was One Man, Two Guvnors – a wonderful script, a fantastic cast, and whole lot of fun. I also loved seeing the new Penguin Beach at London Zoo earlier in the summer.

What were your highlights of 2011? Let us know in the comments below…

16 Dec
2011

London Video of the Week: London by tomjoetwins

Posted by Zoe Craig in London 1 Comment

I love this video by two 16-year-old brothers, Tom and Joe, made around London this month. It offers a real snapshot of the city in December 2011: from the Occupy Movement at St Paul’s to the Christmas decorations on Oxford Street, these boys have made a fascinating portrait of one day in our city.

If, one day, they grow bored of the, let’s face it, incredible Lego Action Disaster movies they’re currently making, I’m sure they could move seamlessly into news reportage with the skills they’re showing with this video.

Check out more London videos on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/visitlondonvideo

1 Aug
2011

Selfridges’ Boating Lake – On The Roof!

Posted by Mads in Shopping 1 Comment

A couple of weeks ago, Selfridges opened up its roof to celebrate the Truvia Voyage of Discovery art installation created by the wonderful Bombas & Parr.

On arrival at the rooftop, six floors above Oxford Street, we were greeted by the sight of an emerald green boating lake, complete with small waterfall. We were invited to row across the lake in small boats and were given special crystals to exchange for cocktails.

It was lovely to enjoy this rare view of the rooftops and another random thing to add to the list of surprising things I’ve done in London.

This was the first time since the second World War that the Selfridges’ roof was opened to the public. Before the 1940s, the roof top was a very popular place to visit. It had included a café and even a miniature golf course, but until this recent boating stunt, had been closed to the public.

Want to know more about the fantastic events Selfridges put on? Keep up to date with our Shopping News

21 Mar
2011

Bahamas in London: The Artist Blue Curry

Posted by Jenny in World in London 1 Comment

Blue Curry is a Bahamian artist who moved to London in 1997. He graduated from Goldsmiths College in 2009. He shows frequently in London with recent shows at Selfridges and the Austrian Cultural Forum.

Moving to London

My aunt moved to London 40 years ago so initially I came over on her invitation for what I thought would be a short stay. I wanted to further my studies in art and get involved in the London art scene.

I arrived at a time when the YBAs (Young British Artists) were creating work which was unlike anything going on back home. The longer I stayed the more intense that involvement and excitement for the London art scene got, so I never left.

The Bahamian Community in London

Unlike many of the other Caribbean islands we didn’t have a mass economic migration in the 1960s to the UK so those of us who have ended up in London are less of a unified community.

There are lots of Bahamians here, and a very large Bahamian student population, but you would probably never recognise them – I would say we are particularly good at blending in. Only when in the company of other Bahamians will accents come out to give the game away!

Bahamian Food and Culture in London

The Bahamas High Commission is really the centre of activity for The Bahamas in London. They throw a big party for Bahamians and friends every year on Independence Day. The High Commission itself has a library of Bahamian publications and is the place you can go to read a local Bahamian newspaper.

If I wanted to get Bahamian food I would probably make a beeline for my aunt’s house! Otherwise, I’d go to Brixton as there’s a lot of Caribbean food which crosses over in to Bahamian cuisine.

In Brixton market you can get red snapper, plantain and pigeon peas – all staples of some of your typical Bahamian dishes. The main thing a Bahamian might miss is conch (sea snail, pronounced “konk”) – you get conch everything in the Bahamas – in burgers, salad, soup but you’ll never find it here fresh.

Bahamian Art in London

I’m a Bahamian artist practising in London but would be the first to say the work I make is unlike much of the contemporary art produced in the Bahamas.

I work mostly in sculpture and installation, using a range of materials to create my pieces.

The work I am currently showing at the Austrian Cultural Forum in London features a coconut covered in mirrored glass and a mural painstakingly made out of thousands of black beans.

The great thing about London is that there are so many places to show, and an infinite number of ways to be involved with the art community here. It would be nice if I could have the weather from home though!

Blue Curry’s work can be seen at the Austrian Cultural Forum until 6 May 2011.

Do you know anywhere else you can find Bahamian culture in London? Let us know in the comments below.

18 Dec
2010

London Photo of the Week: Selfridges Christmas Window Display

Posted by Lettice in Shopping No Comments

Doc18 spotted these little monsters from Felt Mistress making themselves at home in one of Selfridges Christmas window displays.

Tell us about your favourite Christmas window displays in London and share your photos with our Visit London Flickr Group. We’re excited that Fortnum & Mason’s windows are inspired by paintings from the National Gallery..

If you’re heading out to buy presents today, check our our guide to Christmas shopping in London for inspiration.

11 Oct
2010

British Wool Week: Sheep on Savile Row

Posted by Lettice in Shopping 2 Comments

To celebrate British Wool Week, the Campaign for Wool have filled Savile Row with grass and sheep! If you’re fanatical about fashion, you’ll probably be aware that wool tailoring is enjoying a massive resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to Matt “The Doctor” Smith‘s Harris Tweed jacket and Benedict Cumberbatch dashing about as Sherlock Holmes in an Inverness Cape. Savile Row is the perfect place to check out the latest menswear trends and indulge in a little bit of luxury.

The Exmoor Horns and Bowmont sheep were happily grazing in the sunshine in central London this morning and will be there all day. Next to the sheep is an exhibition by R Gledhill, who card and spin British wool into yarn which then gets spun into cloth which is then used by Savile Row tailors to make bespoke suits.

All those big boxes of unspun fleece were so soft, colourful and tempting it made me wish I’d popped my spindle in my bag this morning so I could spin a few meters!

If you’re popping along to see the sheep, you might also be excited to know that many of Mayfair’s most distinguished tailors, including Hardy Amies and H.Huntsman & Sons have opened their studios and archives to the public today so you can find out what goes on behind the scenes.

I took a tour of Anderson & Sheppard with Managing Director John Hitchcock who guided me round the shop, office, changing rooms and workshops and showed us (some London College of Fashion students joined in) the details on some funky purple and yellow plus fours suit which won the 2009 Golden Shears competition. John also told us about Alexander McQueen‘s time at Anderson & Sheppard.

You can pop along to see the sheep and enjoy the open day till 6pm tonight. If you can’t make it there are events happening all week, including wool themed windows in many shops across London including Selfridges, Jaeger and Jigsaw. You can follow the design trail at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour to find out more about wool for your home.

Find out more about The Campaign for Wool, British Wool Week and why wool is the ultimate in sustainable, biodegradable and luxurious fashion at www.campaignforwool.org

2 Jul
2010

Video of the Week: London Elephant Parade (You and Me)

Posted by Zoe Craig in Arts, Attractions No Comments

Here’s a video of the London Elephant Parade, ahead of tomorrow’s auction.

Do you fancy buying one of these babies? Tickets to the Elephant Parade Grand Auction & Champagne Brunch on 3rd July are still on sale for a meaty, but manageable £75.

You can also bid online: find out more here.

If the prices are still a bit steep for you, why not pop down to Carnaby Street or Selfridges, where you can buy miniature elephants (from about £27) and the official book until the end of July. Or take a look at the elephant parade online shop.

14 Jun
2010

Visit London Asks: What’s Your Favourite Department Store in London?

Posted by Jenny in Shopping 8 Comments

Congratulations to Selfridges which was named Best Department Store in the World last week, beating off competition from the likes of Bloomingdales in New York and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.

The award was based on a number of important shopping criteria including customer service, outstanding in-store experience and strong financial performance.

So would Selfridges make it to the top of your London list and why? Does the huge cosmetics hall float your boat, or are you move of a Harrods devotee?

Do you like to peruse the exclusive food hall at Harvey Nichols. Or do you prefer John Lewis for the price guarantee?

Visit London wants to know: What’s your favourite department store in London?

8 Jun
2010

Salon d’Ete Pop Up Bar Launches in Marylebone

Posted by Jenny in Cabaret and Burlesque, Clubs, Pubs & Bars 3 Comments

This weekend, I attended the launch party for pop up “palace” Salon d’Eté. The venue is a 1930s-themed restaurant and bar offering live cabaret, burlesque, music and dancing in London for the summer months.

Salon d’Eté is nestled above members’ club L’Equipe Anglaise (near to Selfridges). It’s a small venue consisting of a beautifully decorated main room plus a smaller entrance room with a rather exciting swinging chair in it (guests were vying for this coveted spot!)

The lavish décor includes cascading ivy plants and palm trees, painted champagne glasses and immaculately dressed waiters in 1930s costumes.

I’d recommend getting a table reservation as it’s the only way to get a seat (perhaps explaining the popularity of the swinging chair!) Otherwise, you can watch the performances from the space around the tables.

The bar was a little chaotic as one end was for waiters only and the queue for the bar seemed to be in their way. That said, the cocktails were very tasty and the bar staff were friendly and enthusiastic, even offering to mix cocktails that weren’t on the menu.

Drinks prices: Cocktails £11, beer £4, house wine £6 per glass

Entry fee: £10 after 10pm, £20 after 1am which includes all entertainment and access to L’Equipe Anglaise nightclub (open until 6am). Advance booking recommended – email 21dukestreet@gmail.com or call +44 (0)20 7617 7150 for guest list or table reservations

Salon d’Eté is open to the public from 8pm until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights over the summer – closing date TBC www.salondeteclub.com

6 Apr
2010

Dinner at 108 Marylebone Lane

Posted by Jenny in Eating Out, Pubs & Bars No Comments

Last Wednesday night I dined at stylish eatery 108 Marylebone Lane. The restaurant has recently taken on Norman Farquharson as Executive Chef and has a new seasonal menu, which changes every few months and where possible uses ingredients from local producers.

The restaurant would be perfect for a special occasion, but it’s also laid back enough for a post-work catch-up. I felt comfortable and relaxed – perhaps because of the flattering low-lighting! By 9pm, the restaurant was almost full, which is a pretty good sign – especially as it was a Wednesday night.

The menu had a good range for meat-eaters with lots of fish and meat dishes. There were two vegetarian options. The restaurant staff were attentive and happy to give advice and recommendations about the menu and wine.

I had a delicious prosciutto ham starter followed by lemon sole for the main course. The lemon sole came in strips, in a light lemon-flavoured batter – very tasty. And I loved the presentation of the chips in a little silver bucket on the side. Dessert was just as good. I opted for the Rococo chocolate brownie – very chocolatey without being too rich.

In the name of research, I also tasted everything my date ordered! So I can confirm that the soup, lamb shank and crumble were up to the same standard as my meal.

I really enjoyed dinner at 108 Marylebone Lane and will definitely go back to try more of the menu. It took me less than five minutes to walk there from Selfridges (where I had been eyeing the Easter chocolate displays) and there’s a good cocktail menu, so it’s also perfect for shopping pit-stops.

108 Marylebone Lane