Fashion
My Sugarland
Located near the Angel Tube stop, My Sugarland is a refreshingly independent boutique by veteran fashion stylist Zoe Lem. My Sugarland evokes the feeling of walking into someone's personal closet. From established names to vintage pieces, there is always a unique and eclectic mix on view, with fledgling designers (some exclusive) racked alongside more established labels such as C.R.A.F.T. denim, Belle Sauvage and Betty Jackson. The key to the selection is that Zoe chooses pieces not by provenance but by overall quality. What's missing? Only the overpriced fashion and haute snobbishness that comes with so many high design shops.
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Totty Rocks the World of Fashion
The brainchild of Holly and Lynsey, two homegrown designers for Edinburgh's college of art, Totty Rocks is the jewel of Edinburgh's boutique culture. Totty Rocks is a womenswear label that sells separates and accessories distinquished by soft tailoring, quirky linings, and polka dots. The label has been nominated for Scottish Designer of the Year and is one of the few labels where all the pieces are 100% Scottish made. Holly and Lynsey have their design studio on the top floor and bring fresh pieces to the showroom.
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Hip London Boutiques
There is no denying that department stores are great for sales, variety and being able to plonk your granny in a tearoom while you shop. However, if you want truly original, well crafted clothes and the chance to discover up-and-coming British fashion designers, you need to go 'off highroad' and visit some of London's best boutiques. Laden Showroom in Brick Lane is one great example of a shop dedicated to showcasing new fashion talent, whereas if you want luxury and a great range of established names without the stress of Central London, then Matches in Westbourne Park is your one-stop shop.
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Cardiff Shopping Scene
In its bid to become one of the top UK shopping destinations, Cardiff has just opened a massive new shopping haven, St. David's. In addition, you can also browse the Victorian shopping arcades in the capital that are stuffed with boutique shops specializing in everything from independent designer dresses to cheese makers. Check out the Wales travel blog for the scoop on Cardiff's shopping scene.
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Independent Newburg
Step one block off Carnaby Street and you'll find yourself in the Newburgh Quarter, a community of independent boutiques. This area was the birthplace for designers Pam Hogg and Jean Paul Gaultier and continues to push out new design talent. Beyond the Valley is a non-profit retail gallery and studio that showcases over 100 new designers each year. Items ranging from clothing to home décor to jewelry are produced in limited quantities and some only for Beyond the Valley. To mix big British designers like Vivienne Westwood into your wardrobe, nearby boutique Souvenir was described by Vogue as a "fashionista's favorite."
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Glaswegian Style
Glasgow is rapidly emerging as Scotland's fashion capital and hosts the Scottish Style Awards. Glasgow's West End is a close-knit community with an indie feel and a collection of innovative designers and vintage stores. Starry, Starry Night is tucked away on Dowanside Lane and has such an extensive collection ranging from 1930's cocktail dresses to hip 70's clothing that it's frequented by theatre companies. For a truly unique one-of-kind look, you can try Glasgow's vintage newcomer, Brigette. To get your Old Skool cavities hit up the retro sweet shop-I Love Candy.
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Mad About Fashion
Lunacy features a unique combination of local designers, new talent and independent labels from the UK and abroad - particularly in the area of dresses and accessories. If you're as "Mad About Fashion" as they are, be sure to grab something when you see it, because Lunacy only orders small quantities. This Cardiff boutique is just for the ladies, so be sure to drop your man of at Spillers Records while you shop, he'll spend just as long in the world's oldest record store.
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Seven Dials
London's West End is where you'll find chic designer boutiques, particularly in Seven Dials. This district, named for the convergence of seven streets, is on many celeb's short list of retail destinations. Shop at Men's retailer Q by Santos & Mowen and you could find yourself in the same coat as Jude Law. Sneaker fanatics will find limited-edition footwear at Size? and nerdy Retro enthusiasts are obsessed with the London location of Pop for 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s vintage.
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Missoni Hotel
With a prime location on the corner of George IV Bridge and the Royal Mile, Hotel Missoni brings the fashion label's timeless style, color and glamour to Edinburgh. Missoni's signature bold use of color and striking patterns gives a cool, contemporary energy to the hotel. Rosita Missoni has combined the unmistakable Missoni prints with the work of designers that she personally admires such as Marcel Wanders, Eero Saarinen and Arne Jacobson. Each Hotel Missoni is reflective of its location. As a tribute to the Scottish heritage, Rosita Missoni has included pieces by Charles Rennie Mackintosh including his famous Ladderback Chair.
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Thoroughly Modern Mill
Melin Tregwynt is an 18th century mill and is situated in a remote valley on the Pembrokeshire coast. On weekdays throughout the year, you can watch the weaving in progress. While traditional methods and machinery are still used at Melin Tregwynt, its present day output has a modern edge and is exported to design-led shops and smart hotels in the USA, Europe, Scandinavia and Japan. The shop has stylish, individual throws, cushions, lamp shades and blankets that lend a distinctive look to your home. A new addition to their range this year is a selection of tailored clothes and accessories made using their distinctive lambswool designs.
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Motel Clothes Shop
Situated on Park Street in Bristol, Motel is an independent label that specializes in vintage inspired fashion. You'll spot Motel's dresses on the likes of Lilly Allen and Duffy. The concept was born of a road trip by the Motel crew in search of the perfect vintage dress. Motel is designed to recreate the euphoria of those days of rummaging. Tip for the ladies: if trolling through endless vintage bounty at Motel isn't your man's cup of tea, try sending him off on a search for one of Bristol's most famous residents, Blackbeard.
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The Rarest Gold
Pure Welsh gold is famous for its scarcity and for being the metal of choice for the wedding rings of royalty (including Princess Diana). Clogau Gold has been handcrafting fabulous jewelry from Welsh gold from Snowdonia for more than 15 years. You'll see their signature elegant use of Welsh gold in the specially-designed Silver and Rose Gold Bangle which commemorates the Ryder Cup 2010 being held in Wales. Those searching for more Welsh bling, can check out Palterman & Thomas, two modern Welsh jewelry designers in Swansea.
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The Perfect SKIRT
SKIRT is the boutique of choice for funky clothing for women. The Newcastle shop sells cool, unusual clothes and accessories at varying price points. Alongside designer labels such as ANIPODIUM, Paul and Joe Sister, and Ella Moss, SKIRT stocks a number of smaller labels from the UK and Europe, as well as vintage, one off and handmade pieces.
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The Boutique Experience
The small towns of Wales are punching above their fashion weight class, brimming with boutique and designer shops ranging from fashion and jewelry, to art galleries and interior design. Topping the list of boutique destination towns are Cowbridge, Narbeth and Llandeilo. Cowbridge is a pretty market town in the Vale of Glamorgan, close to the capital city, Cardiff, where you can take lingerign walks among roman walls. Restaurants serve fresh, locally-produced food straight from the town's farm shops and market. Headlining the list of quaint accommodation options is the country-chic Bear Hotel.
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