Travel Spotlight

The Latest in London's Mayfair

As the birthplace of the current Queen and the London neighborhood where Coco Chanel chose to hang her pearls, Mayfair has forever been in fashion—and it’s always sparkled. But now with the arrival of three independent, fashion-forward labels, a massive Gagosian art gallery and a fashionable restaurant gracing Berkeley Square, the tony, well-heeled neighborhood has added some serious sizzle to its glitz.

Three cutting-edge designers—Simone Rocha, Erdem Moralioglu and Hussein Chalayan—have just opened their first-ever shops in the heart of Mayfair. The look of each boutique is highly individual, reflecting the modern thinking and unique aesthetic of the three creatives.

At 29, Simone Rocha is the youngest of the trio, having graduated from Central St Martin’s and launched her first show at London Fashion Week five years ago. Since then the hot Irish designer has won several accolades for her collections that blend romantic with contemporary, old with new – think wrapped cellophane skirts and thickly embroidered lace. While Rocha’s look is distinctly her own, the new airy, inviting Mount Street boutique across from Scott's restaurant is a family affair. Rocha and her father (acclaimed Hong Kong-born designer John Rocha) worked together on the boutique’s interior, personally designing the rose-shaped cornice, curved marble seats and pink onyx desk. A Francis Bacon triptych and giant antique mirror were brought over from the family’s Irish estate.

Walk down Mount Street, make a left onto South Audley Street and soon you’ll arrive at Erdem, the new flagship of designer Erdem Moralioglu, whose ten-year old label is worn by Claire Danes, Jessica Chastain and Marion Cotillard amongst others. The space, formerly a corner bank with expansive windows, feels opulent and sophisticated. Moralioglu’s longtime partner, architect Philip Joseph, sourced the doorknobs from Ghent, ceiling lights from Beirut and alabaster mannequins from Italy. Art by Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Jean Cocteau hang on the walls and a sweeping staircase leads downstairs to a velvet sofa that faces a fern garden. And then of course, there are the clothes. Regal purples and jewel-like hues are mixed in off-beat pairings and textiles, shapes and extras (think: ostrich feathers) are combined with glorious conclusions.

On the more minimal end of the spectrum is visionary designer Hussein Chalayan’s first ever shop (2 Bourdon Street; 44 (0)207-493-8157). Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as “an influencer who influences the influencers” and by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 fashion icons of all time, Chalayan is only now giving his 21-year-old brand a concrete outpost. The contemporary shop sports only white walls and a black boat installation because Chalayan prefers to let his elegant, striking clothes do the talking. He says, “The important thing is the creation of an environment, a backdrop to the clothes, rather than over-designing the space.” Chalayan is often considered an artist as much as he is a designer, having represented Turkey in the 2005 Venice Biennale and exhibited at several museums and galleries over the years.

The 18,000-square-foot new Gagosian Gallery (17-19 Davies Street; 44 (0)207-493-3020) opened on Grosvenor Hill with a Cy Twombly show last month. The new space is a nice addition to the area—the ultimate destination for high-end galleries and auction houses—which also includes the expansive European headquarters of Phillips auction house (30 Berkeley Square) and a new Sadie Coles space (1 Davies Street).

Finally, set a stone’s throw away on Berkeley Square, Sexy Fish was opened last month by Caprice Holdings (of J. Sheekey and The Ivy fame). The restaurant pairs contemporary cuisine with high-fashion art and design, featuring several of Frank Gehry’s Fish Lamps and three site-specific, mermaid-themed Damien Hirst installations. The Coral Reef Room, a private dining space downstairs, will house the world’s largest live coral reef tank. The menu features, unsurprisingly, seafood, and most dishes have an Asian influence.

More Inspiration

Plan Your Trip With Us

We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities.

Get In Touch
Indagare employees walking up stiars

Enjoy 30 Days On Us!

Start your Self Planner
membership trial today.

Unlock access to 2,000+ first-hand hotel reviews, 300+ Destination Guides and the most up-to-date travel news and inspiration.

Already a member?

Welcome back,
log in to Indagare

Not a member?

Forgot Password

Enter your email and we’ll send you a link to reset your password.

Type the first 3 letters to begin