Stealth snaps at Harvey Nichols new 4th floor
So finally, the unveiling of Harvey Nichols’ new 4th floor of contemporary fashion. First impressions were of a minimalist, London version of Colette. The store has pitched the new fashion floor as having a ‘concept store feel’ and it will be constantly evolving with new lines, products, exhibitions and installations. This I like. But I have to say, not much of this was in evidence on the first day. I have to give them props for opening on time however and I always try not to judge too harshly on first impressions as I think with anything, things generally take a while to fall into place.
Aside from the bright modernity of the space, the things that reminded me of Colette were the affordable gifty items – Assouline books, Opening Ceremony tote bags, Ambush lighters, iPods… not much that I haven’t seen before. There is an impressive selection of vintage Chanel bags, which you can also get at D & Me and Matches so nice as they were, I wasn’t knocked out. The promised vintage magazines don’t seem to be on view yet.
The long-awaited trainer wall boasts studded Converse by What Goes Around Comes Around, zebra-print ponyskin Keds by Opening Ceremony and the new Louboutin trainers. And clothing-wise there is representation from a wealth of ‘It Brit’ labels (Mary Katrantzou, Richard Nicoll, Markus Lupfer…) as well as cool hipster brands (Marc by Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Acne, See by Chloe). Alongside these are the label-lover brands – D&G, Anglomania – while the ‘supermarket of luxury’ curated by Alber Elbaz looks to me to be a sweet but limited array of Lanvin knick knacks – Umbrellas! Fans! China figurines! Expensive pencils!
I’m not sure who it’s all aimed at. Earlier reports suggested that Harvey Nichols was hoping to entice a Peaches Geldof demographic but would a Peaches or Cory Kennedy wear D&G? Although there’s a hint of the cool, streety Colette vibe with the books and lighters and gifty things, the fashion still seems to me to be the same Harvey Nicks labels I have been seeing for the last few seasons. Overall, it’s not a bad start but it could do with some of the buzz of the Marc by Marc Jacobs store or the unexpected variety of Anthropologie. I would like to see more surprises round every corner … hopefully that’s to come.
STEALTH SNAPS
Random Fashion Coolness
26 January, 2010 @ 7:33 am
Great stealth snaps! Did you buy anything?
jasmine
26 January, 2010 @ 8:53 am
I had to try so hard to resist buying a Lanvin umbrella last time I went shopping. I think that the concept sounds great, and the vintage Chanel- yes!
Make Do Style
26 January, 2010 @ 10:08 am
Great stealth snaps and good review. Will have to take a peek.
Anonymous
26 January, 2010 @ 10:25 am
Acne is a swedish brand. isn´t it? :) I like there clothes!
Have a great day!
Regards
The Best Of Sweden
http://lsjoberg.blogg.se/
Emma Louise Layla
26 January, 2010 @ 11:18 am
The trainer wall is disappointingly sparse…
Susan
26 January, 2010 @ 12:07 pm
I'd like to go and check this out for myself, but sounds like it could be the most curiously characterless concept store within a store. Whatever next?
My New Favourite Thing
26 January, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
ooh, good on Harvey Nicks. Sounds like a better version of Selfridges' wonder room.
LaBish-Shop
26 January, 2010 @ 2:59 pm
Loving the stealth snaps – you pro! (Are you having a B&W moment BTW?). The HN team look like they've done a great job doing the "contemporary thing" with a global twist (esp after Selfridges did their contemporary thing last season). Keep the edgier NEW brands coming I say and leave the big brandocracies stuff to the Yellow Box!
SignatureScent
26 January, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
Hmm – makes me quite tempted to go and check it out. Really appreciate seeing the pictures!
WendyB
26 January, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
Did you have a camera in your hat or something? Ooh, maybe I should do a camera ring!
pretty face
26 January, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
Those snaps really do have something of the saboteur spy about them, I think it's the black and white and the unusual angles/perspectives. Fabulous. xx
Style Mews
26 January, 2010 @ 11:55 pm
oooo acne and see by chloe… im shoppping too much. my friend went to a museum today and said why didnt i come along… i told her the department stores where my museums.. SLIGHT addiction! xx
Mr Gentry
27 January, 2010 @ 12:06 am
sneaky snap perfection, oh so proud!
tor (fabfrocks)
27 January, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
Great shots! I'm excited to check it out!
coco
28 January, 2010 @ 7:20 pm
Oh my gosh it looks so chic! I love Harvey Nichols, it's heaven.
And yes, I thought I'd see you there, but I guess I'll just see you at you know what. Looking forward to it xxx
Natty
29 January, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
Definitely going for the Collette vibe. I've got that Lanvin fan! x
Blue Floppy Hat
29 January, 2010 @ 5:08 pm
I'd snap up the Lanvin fan in a heartbeat, I really would.
HN sounds like they're making an effort, and in its own way that's good. I just hope they're not trying to be Dover Street Market though.
Lara Maria
30 January, 2010 @ 8:21 am
cool store concept
young-shields
30 January, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
Looks fun, I think with a bit of tweaking like you say we could have some kind of Colette on our hands – maybe the french just do it best ey X
randomlondongirl
31 January, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
Ooooh I have been waiting for you to do a review of this. Seems like a slight disappointment. I was expecting it to be less minimalist, what's with all the empty spaces?