Another American retailer is to open its first flagship store in London this week; Liberty’s and Stella McCartney go digital shopping; and H&M reveals its latest guest designer…

It’s only been a couple of weeks since Banana Republic opened its doors in London’s West End, but it didn’t take long for another clothing chain to err…follow suit.

Sister store of DKNY - DKNY Jeans - is about to set up shop in Mayfair’s New Bond Street, and now is the best possible time for Londoners to check it out. Especially if you’re a fan of American actress Rachael Bilson (The OC) who will soon be releasing her designer clothing collection for the new retailer.

DKNY Jeans’ new venue at a former antique gallery will offer both womenswear and menswear collections set over two floors, in a 4,400 square foot space that aims to retain the same creative atmosphere it had before its refurbishment.

The VIP launch on April 10th will play host to a thus far unannounced band, and the pavements are sure to be flooded with Central Saint Martin’s fashion students snapping pictures that will later be made into the front-window collage display

Liberty’s and Stella McCartney have finally listened to the subliminal messages I’ve been sending them and set up their online shops. Liberty’s virtual experience is like no other department store: they’re offering only their own in-house label goods on the web, with everything from gift vouchers to beauty and grooming experiences, dining packages to scarves and ties, candles and diaries and ultimate indulgence packages.

Liberty’s luxurious quality service is able to dispatch any orders made before noon that same day, and it’s available to the public from Monday to Friday, with all purchases arriving personally box-wrapped to the recipient’s desired location.

Tamara Salman, Liberty’s creative director said in a statement, “I wanted the site to echo the understated luxury inherent to the brand and to present the Liberty of London’s decadent mix or exquisite products.”

As for Stella McCartney, she’s allowed US residents the luxury of purchasing her collection online, but not her fellow UK inhabitants! The British designer has finally gone digital to reach a larger audience, and her online store offers all of the lines currently in her stores, including her womenswear, accessories, shoes, eyewear, fragrances, and skincare products, as well as her Adidas by Stella McCartney line.


According to McCartney’s online store each client may make online purchases of up to four items per style, with access to a sales assistant by email (online.assistance@stellamcartney.com) for any queries. There’s also free shipping until April 14th, an offer I’m hoping will be given to UK customers when the UK Stella McCartney site launches this autumn.

Lastly H&M have found their next designer: Comme de Garcon’s founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo has agreed to design a womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear selection, alongside accessories and a unisex fragrance for this November.

Rei Kawakubo - best known for her artistic design approach and her memorable Parisian debut in the late ‘80s with her use of distressed colour and draped edgy clothing - will offer a breath of fresh air to the High Street: “clothes don’t have to be sexy…I have always been interested in the balance between creation and business. It is a dilemma, although for me creation has always been the first priority. It is a fascinating challenge to work with H&M since it is a chance to take the dilemma to its extreme, and try to solve it.”

H&M have also expressed their excitement at collaborating with the designer, stating that she’s been “at the top of our wish-list,” and that they have long admired her fashion philosophy for years.

The collection is scheduled to be launched in Kawakubo’s home turf of Tokyo, which will also mark the opening of H&M’s second store in Japan.

By Marleny Centellas-Venegas/MOLI