London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [187]
Music
MDC Music & Movies.
Perfectly placed for music lovers attending concerts at the Royal Festival Hall, classical specialist MDC also stocks jazz and world music. Staff here, and at sister shop MDC Opera next to the ENO Coliseum, are knowledgeable and helpful. | Festival Riverside, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank | SE1 8XX | 020/7620–0198 | Waterloo.
THE EAST END
SPITALFIELDS
Accessories: Hats
Bernstock Speirs.
Paul Bernstock and Thelma Speirs turn traditional hats on their head with street-smart trilbies and knitted hats that feature unusual colors and quirky details. It’s no wonder that this store has caught the eye of Liam Gallagher and Kylie Minogue. | 234 Brick La., Spitalfields | E2 7EB | 020/7739–7385 | www.bernstockspeirs.com | Liverpool St., Bethnal Green.
Clothing
Junky Styling.
This brand was launched by designers Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager, who used to “deconstruct” old clothing when they wanted something unique to wear clubbing. They recycled traditional suits and shirts into wild outfits, and the business grew from there. The highly original (and eco-friendly) garments, for both men and women, are funky but retain the sophistication of their tailored origins. | 12 Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery,91 Brick La., Spitalfields | E1 6RF | 020/7247–1883 | www.junkystyling.co.uk | Liverpool St., Aldgate East.
The Laden Showroom.
Sienna Miller, Victoria Beckham, and Noel Gallagher are among the celebs who regularly check out emerging talent at this East End showroom for young designers. The store retails the work of more than 70 new designers, some selling one-off items—so the look you find is likely to be original. | 103 Brick La., Spitalfields | E1 6SE | 020/7247–2431 | www.laden.co.uk | Shoreditch High St.
Markets
Brick Lane.
The noisy center of the Bengali community is a hubbub of buying and selling. Sunday stalls have food, hardware, household goods, electrical goods, books, bikes, shoes, clothes, spices, and traditional saris. The CDs and DVDs are as likely as not to be counterfeit, and the bargain iron may not have a plug–so be careful. People nevertheless flock to the market to enjoy the ethnic buzz, sample curries and Bengali sweets, or indulge in salt beef on a bagel at Beigel Bake, London’s 24-hour bagel bakery, a survivor of the neighborhood’s Jewish past. Brick Lane’s activity spills over into nearby Petticoat Lane Market that houses similar goods but with less style. | Brick La.,SpitalfieldsE | 1 | www.visitbricklane.org | Sun. 8 am–2 pm | Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City or District Line), Liverpool St. (Hammersmith & City, Circle, Metropolitan or Central Lines).
Spitalfields.
Stop to smell the roses and enjoy a leisurely Sunday brunch on Columbia Road before plunging into Spitalfields. The covered market (once London’s wholesale meat market) is at the center of this area’s “boho” revival. The original building has been restored to its Victorian splendor, and a modern shopping complex that respects its character has been developed around it, with a covered area housing additional stalls. Wares include crafts, retro clothing, handmade rugs, soaps, vintage art prints, and cakes. And, from Spanish tapas to Thai satays, it’s entirely possible to eat your way around the world. | Brushfield St., Spitalfields E1 | www.visitspitalfields.com | Stalls Thurs. and Fri. 10–4, Sun. 9–5; restaurants weekdays 11–11, Sun. 9–5, retail shops daily 11–7 | Liverpool