Off-High Street London

While the London Fashion Week glitterati strutted down the catwalks of the Somerset house in September, the rest of us were more likely exploring vintage stores and independent boutiques.  In London, it’s easy to get lost in the world of high fashion glamour, but affordable and unique personal style can be found. Just seek out the boutiques of independent designers, the thriving fashion markets, and hip vintage stores located in these up-and-coming indie districts of London.

Shoreditch & Brick Lane

What is it about the clash of industrial, working class neighborhoods and hip artist types that results in neighborhoods becoming brilliant hotbeds of creative activity?  The answer is Shoreditch. 

Vintage finds and independent labels are practically spilling onto the streets of Shoreditch.  Even Pete Doherty and Victoria Beckham have been know to stumble through The Laden Showroom’s displays of new and independent designer wares. Old Spitalfields Market is another East End establishment featuring dozens of independent stalls for designers and traders.  You’ll find tons of vintage at Spitalfields and more as it hosts its own Alternative Fashion Week featuring up to 70 designers in late April 2010.  While you’re in the ‘hood, head over to The Electricity Showrooms, the 1920’s vacuum and toaster seller that is now a beloved local watering-hole.

Hoxton

Often lumped together with Shoreditch, Hoxton has a colorful history of its own.  Not only was the area famously involved with Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot, but it also hosted a number of asylums and almshouses in the 18th century.  Nowadays those passions are channeled more creatively in streets full of quirky one-off design boutiques, like the aptly named Hoxton Boutique, art galleries and entertainment like the camp hilarity at the beloved The George & Dragon Pub.

Islington

Hidden down a cobble-stoned Angel tube stop backstreet is a whimsical collection of odds and ends that have been gathered together on a selection of market stalls. Camden Passage  (not to be confused with and nowhere near to Camden Market) is an elegant row of antique shops and restaurants, where visitors can spend an afternoon perusing through the racks of vintage goodies or searching antique shops for hidden gems.

Camden Market

Camden Market, the northern portal of Camden used to be a haven for angst-ridden, Goth teens who lived out their punk rebellion days in the markets. It's now filled with London trendsetters sporting '80s-inspired fashion labels. During the weekends, stroll down the market’s covered alleys lined with food vendors selling edibles from Turkish to Thai.  The area has also seen a stunning rise of gastro pubs including Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany in NW1.

Notting Hill

Notting Hill has long been fashionable with clubs, bars and boutiques. Besides the famous Portobello Road Market which sells everything from books to furniture to jewelry, there is Westbourne Grove – situated just a few minutes away. It’s a street with plenty of upmarket boutiques including Nicole Fahri's store/café: 202 – a great place to shop and then have brunch or you can indulge in a Bloody Mary at Beach Blanket Babylon on nearby Ledbury Road. Other institutions to wile away the afternoon or evening include The Cow and The Westbourne.