Brompton Cross: the revival
All of a sudden, Brompton Cross is back on my radar. The Conran Shop is flourishing again (seriously, you can do all your holiday shopping there in one mammoth swoop), Joseph is getting better and better and there’s an influx of international fashion arriving.
Acne and Jil Sander Navy appeared rather quietly not long ago, J Crew’s upper-end collections have recently arrived in Draycott Avenue (somewhat overshadowed by the pizzazz of Regent Street) and Carven opened the same week. A 3.1 Phillip Lim hoarding is up on Pelham Street with interesting-looking goings on on either side.
Then there’s Walton street. Previously dismissed by me as too Sloany, there’s Salt Resortwear‘s holiday shop (featuring Lisa Marie Fernandez, Zero + Maria Cornejo and Roksanda Ilincic), a Farmacia Santa Maria Novella that has apparently been there for 20-odd years (who knew) and the delicious fare of Jaks deli and cafe.
With Mayfair and Sloane Street at saturation point, and no end to the monied Saudis buying up residential properties in London, Brompton Cross looks to be quite the fashion destination once more. By next summer I think it’s going to be really buzzing and a newly invigorated retail and social pocket for London…
Carven, Pelham Street
J Crew, Draycott Avenue
Jil Sander Navy, Draycott Avenue
3.1 Phillip Lim and some potentially interesting neighbours, Pelham Street
Acne, Pelham Street
