Carnaby Street is a pedestrian-only shopping street in Soho, tucked behind Oxford Street and Regent Street. There are renowned fashion retailers, independent boutiques, one-off concepts and bespoke jewellery specialists. British brands on Carnaby include Paul Smith, Barbour and Pretty Green, and concept stores include Urban Decay, Shinola and Estée Edit. The street often holds style events and live music under its famous arches. To break from all that shopping we like relaxing in Kingly Court – a three storey, open-air, food and dining courtyard hidden on the side of Carnaby Street.

The architecture makes this luxury department store worth a visit. Liberty London is in a striking, timber-framed, Tudor Revival building, with wooden staircases, little balconies and glass atriums. Since it opened in 1875, it remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing and unique department stores in the world. The store stocks high-end fashion, cosmetics, fragrances, jewellery, homeware, stationery and gifts, and there is a beautiful flower shop at the main entrance. Liberty also champions new designers to offer cutting-edge style. Expect to find names from Martin Margiela and Comme des Garçons alongside English designer Betty Jackson.

Tube: Oxford Circus

People all over the word seem to be obsessed with Topshop – if you’re one of them then head to the giant flagship store on Oxford Circus. Not only does it carry the biggest Topshop range in the world, it also houses pieces from new designers and exclusive accessories. In addition, there is a nail bar, a salon, a personal shopping experience, a cafe and our favourite, Lola’s Cupcakes.

Tube: Oxford Circus

The Berkeley is the essence of contemporary chic and innovative luxury, and we love the afternoon tea here which is inspired by the world’s finest designers. Prêt-à-Portea serves up delicious cakes and pastries with a fashion twist, from a Ralph & Russo pain de Gênes dress cake to Stella McCartney’s British Battenberg cake inspired by her chequerboard summer pumps. Don’t forget to wash it down with some chilled Laurent-Perrier Rosé champagne. The dishes are updated every six months to follow the changing seasons in fashion. Allow plenty of time for photo taking as these treats are perfection. If you only do one afternoon tea when visiting London, then it should probably be Prêt-à-Portea. Served daily 1:30pm-5:30pm.

Tube: Hyde Park Corner

The Ham Yard is the ultra-trendy hotel of the moment, in the heart of the capital and a popular hangout spot for London’s media crowd. The hotel restaurant stretches around the corner into a laid-back conservatory-esque space. There is a sophisticated drawing room for tea and coffee catch-ups, but our favourite room is probably the Croc Bowling Alley in the basement with vintage-style bowling shoes, back-lit balls, and Howard Hodgkin artwork towering over the proceedings. The colourful lounge area with large South African sofas is perfect post-game to unwind with friends over a drink. Beverages to sample include the Ham Yard Gin with homemade tonic, and the Black Margarita. Book online or call to reserve a lane.

Tube: Piccadilly Circus

Dover Street Market is known as an ‘art-installation-cum-shopping-centre’ and is essentially a five-storey rework on a department store. The store features high-end fashion brands including Raf Simons, Loewe and Dior, presented in the style of a modern art gallery. The ground floor contrasts with its minimalist interior. A spiral staircase with round windows leads to a metal skeleton of a dinosaur on the second floor. Designers create their own spaces, resulting in interior segments and displays that are out of this world.

Tube: Piccadilly Circus

Themes from Alice In Wonderland have long been taken and amplified in fashion, from hairpieces to Mad Hatter’s tea party-inspired magazine spreads. The Vaults theatre in Waterloo takes the classic and propels visitors into a world of Alice and friends. Alice Adventures Underground is Oliver Award-winning, immersive theatre at its very best. Fall down the rabbit hole and explore rooms of Cheshire cats, tea parties and a looking glass with a trapped Alice. A performer guides guests through the maze of unique and elaborate sets, in a fusion of storytelling, music and circus. If you’ve been there and done that with traditional West End theatre, then this is the future of London stage to experience. Look out for the Queen’s outfit in the brilliant show finale.

Tube: Waterloo

The V&A building is a work of art itself. This amazing museum houses a permanent fashion collection with pieces from Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano and many more designers. The Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion exhibition is open until February 2018 and looks at the work and legacy of Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga. Get up close with over 100 couture pieces from the fashion house.

Tube: South Kensington

Harvey Nichols is a luxury department store chain, and this flagship edition has the fabulous Fifth Floor Terrace that has become the go-to for fashionable ladies and gents in recent years. Views overlook classy Knightsbridge, and food and drink aside, there are a number of special events that also take place on the terrace. These include cocktail master-classes, outdoor screenings, and brunch specials.

Tube: Knightsbridge

The London who’s who in fashion and entertainment have been lining up to dine and party at Sexy Fish since Kate Moss and Rita Ora were spotted at the trendy Mayfair haunt. The restaurant is outrageously decorated with artwork from the likes of Frank Gehry and Damien Hirst, oozing mid-century glamour. The food is Asian-inspired, with a focus on Japan. Our favourite is the crispy duck and watermelon salad, but if you want to know what foodie heaven feels like, treat yourself to the Isle of Mull scallops with jalapeño sauce and pickled green apple – possibly the best seafood dish in London. The bar holds Europe’s largest Japanese whisky collection, as well as a great wine and cocktail list. On Sundays from 11:30am-4:30pm, the restaurant offers an Asian-inspired Sexy Brunch, served to the sounds of resident and guest DJs.

Tube: Green Park

This story first appeared on www.silverkris.com

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