Luxury Shopping: London’s Appointment-Only Stores You Need to Know About

Are there any words as deliciously decadent as ‘by-appointment-only’? There’s something undeniably charming about scheduling an appointment, ringing a buzzer and traipsing around the store personally escorted. Pretensions aside, although appointment shopping can be intimidating, the business model is emerging more and more with both customers and stores enjoying the personal touch it offers. See our pick of the best appointment-only stores London has to offer.

London’s Appointment-Only Stores You Need to Know About

1. Fernando Jorge, Shoreditch

Known for his casually luxurious take on jewellery, Fernando Jorge’s first showroom is imbued with the same quality. The Brazilian CSM-trained jewellery designer has seen his career catapult to heights of fame with his designs gracing the napes and ears of celebrities like Beyonce, Emilia Clarke and Saoirse Ronan. With the opening of his Shoreditch showroom, jewellery fanatics are invited to view his entire collection and discuss bespoke orders, in a very stylish setting where the pieces feel right at home. The showroom, comprised of a design studio and appointment-only space, sprawls across an entire floor of a Victorian industrial building and boasts a design that effortlessly merges Brazil’s sense of colour with that quintessential East London cool. Make an appointment via [email protected]

2. LN-CC, Dalston

A cross between 2001: Space Odyssey and a haute couture runway show, it’s surprising that LN-CC has managed to remain a secret stalwart of London’s most fashionable in-the-know. The trendy store is aptly set in the equally trendy East London area of Dalston, a district where fashion and art are similarly interchangeable. LN-CC houses an immaculately edited curation; big names like Helmut Lang and Jil Sander stand side-by-side with smaller brands like Jacquemus and Muun. Aside from clothes, the store is comprised of an invite-only-events-club, as well as a library and record shop featuring rare books and hard-to-find vinyl. Make an appointment via [email protected]

3. Blue Mountain School, Shoreditch

Painfully trendy, Shoreditch is almost always busy but Blue Mountain School is a haven of peace and quiet right in the middle of it all. Evolving from the same ideas that shaped the acclaimed retail store, Hostem, Blue Mountain School is a multidisciplinary space that spans all six floors of a former 19th century townhouse. On the first two floors are a selection of handcrafted ceramics, furniture and garments. On the second floor you’ll find Blue Projects, a gallery showcasing exhibitions throughout the year. Work your way to the top floor where you can spend an afternoon listening to the records in the tranquil space of the listening room, which spills out onto the equally peaceful wisteria-laden roof terrace. Blue Mountain School is also home to Mãos, a 16-seat communal dining room by Nuno Mendes, the executive chef of Chiltern Firehouse, which offers just one sitting per night. The real treat resides in the basement where Hostem Archive boasts a library of nearly 600 garments, ceramics, objects and artwork – all available for purchase, but to peruse the selection you’ll have to make an appointment. The double-height basement also houses perfume atelier by Lyn Harris of Perfumer H. Blue Mountain School welcomes walk-ins Tuesday – Saturday, appointment only on Mondays and for Hostem Archive, book via [email protected]

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4. William Vintage, Marylebone

You may not have heard of this Marylebone treasure trove but you’ve definitely seen their clothes traipsing down a red-carpet or two. Often referred to as the ‘King of Vintage’ we’re quick to agree after seeing William’s West London vintage haven. Across the store’s two floors is an inventory of immaculate, often haute couture, always covetable pieces which have earned the shop a loyal celebrity following including the likes of Amal Clooney, Victoria Beckham and Tilda Swinton. A space designed for long afternoons of dress-up, visitors are welcomed to a glass of champagne or scotch, Valrhona chocolates and dressing rooms complete with plush dressing gowns. This is the creme de la creme of vintage. Make an appointment via [email protected]

5. The Alex Eagle Studio, Soho

The Soho Store is practically our dream living room, boasting classic architecture, modern furniture and vintage touches – safe to say, you’ll want to buy everything in sight. The light filled space is home to the Alex Eagle own brand atelier, a bookable event space downstairs, as well as a new beauty area, Skinwork – for when the shopping just gets all too much. You can while away the hours browsing the Scandi-chic homewares and grazing the fabrics of pretty dresses and tailored blazers. Although you can drop by during the week, the appointment-only Sundays are the preferred option with stylists and experts on hand to help find gifts for impossible people, or build wardrobes from scratch. To really experience all the store has to offer, bring the Alex Eagle studio to your home so you can chat all things fashion and interiors with a stylist in the privacy of your own space. Appointment only on Sundays via alexeagle.co.uk

6. The Modern Warehouse, Hackney

If the name Illum Wikkelso means anything to you, chances are you’ve heard of Modern Warehouse but if not, the warehouse should be your first port of call for mid-century interiors. The double-height showroom hides inconspicuously at the end of a dead-end lane near Victoria Park, but behind colossal Edwardian doors is a treasure trove of Scandi furniture and lighting. The owners and curators handpick pieces from designers as renowned as Hans Wegner, Johannes Andersen and Arne Jacobsen. Although the space is appointment-only, the atmosphere is comfortable and without pressure, as one of the owners talks you through the pieces over a cup of coffee. Make an appointment via [email protected]

7. Grace Loves Lace, Hackney

Many bridal shops are appointment only, but Grace Loves Lace is one of our favourites. After earning cult status in its home country, the Australian brand has since opened up showrooms in Dallas, New York, Los Angeles and thankfully London. Forget pleather white poufs and pushy salespeople, the Grace Loves Lace showroom is everything you’d want from a bridal shop as a 21st century bride-to-be. Blush tones, hints of greenery, brushed gold and marble accents are lit up by the copious natural light afforded by the glass ceilings, while crisp white drapes and plush rugs put the finishing touches on a space so pretty it could double as the venue for the wedding itself. The bride-to-be and guests are welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine or cup of rose tea, before being assigned a personal GLL stylist to show you potential gowns. Whether your style is  whimsical, classic, slinky, or bohemian there’s a Grace Loves Lace dress especially for you. Appointments can be made via graceloveslace.com.au

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8. Star Diamond, Mayfair

While many jewellers operate on a buzz-first basis, Star Diamond is exclusively appointment only. The discreet atelier on London’s Dover Street offers unparalleled privacy – the gallery doesn’t even have a shop front – which is especially important when they are dressing the likes of Julie Walters and Saoirse Ronan for the red carpet. Here diamond connoisseurs and jewellery lovers can receive trusted, expert advice in a comfortable environment, and if a customer is customising their own piece from loose diamonds, the Mayfair atelier provides the perfect backdrop for discussing ideas and sparking creativity.With six decades of working with the world’s most influential diamond suppliers, including De Beers and Alrosa, you can rest assured this is the creme de la creme of jewellers. Make an appointment via stardiamond.com

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