London's Secret Shopping List for Men

A couple of years ago, I've bought a style book wrote by one of the most important Romanian stylists and fashion designers, Dana Budeanu. It was dedicated to men and apart the fact that the writer revealed many tips for how to become a stylish man she also offered a secret shopping list for masculine gender in London. So I've decided to share with you her great list.

Anderson & Sheppard ( 30 Savile Row, London)

Since 1906, Anderson & Sheppard has had the honour of dressing some of the world's most elegant and famous men. They neither licence nor produce any made-to-measure or ready-to-wear suits or sports coats.

Here's some of their products:

And belive it or not the owner is a woman and her name is Anda Rowland.

Anda Rowland, owner of Anderson & Sheppard. The only female principal on Savile Row

Asprey ( 165-169 New Bond Street, London)

Asprey, established in 1781, as a purveyor of the finest British luxury goods, Asprey has become a name synonymous with unsurpassed quality, craftsmanship and design. This grand tradition of offering excellence continues today at the Asprey workshops as timeless treasures are created for the exclusive Asprey clientele. The flagship store opened on New Bond Street, London, in 1847 and was redesigned by Lord Norman Foster in 2004 and still remains a London landmark. Asprey is renowned for fine jewellery, watches, clocks, leather goods, silver, china, crystal, rare book, and its unrivalled bespoke service.

Browns (23-27 South Mlton Street, London)

Browns, the iconic family-owned boutique with the inside story to high fashion since 1970.

Joan Burstein created Browns with her husband Sidney in 1970. Once a small boutique housed on the ground floor at 27 South Molton Street, Browns rapidly became one of London’s most important fashion destinations. Joan Burstein is credited with discovering such talents as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and Commes des Garcons. Her talent for spotting future fashion super stars, "is nothing more than a hunch, "it just happens", she says. “People say, ‘How can you tell?’. It’s a gut feeling. It’s a gut instinct."

Today, Browns is just as revolutionary as it ever was and remains very much a family business. One of London’s most valued fashion landmarks, it continues to offer pieces that have been individually handpicked from the world’s top designers. "We buy only pieces we like, we edit tremendously. It’s all about quality and individuality. It’s all a concept." says Mrs Joan Burstein.

Budd (1A & 3 Piccadilly Arcade, London)

Buddshirtmakers are indeed Pandora's Box!

Budd has been located in the Piccadilly Arcade since the company’s inception in 1910 and forms part of the elegant thoroughfare of shops that leads intoJermyn Street. Like all of Mayfair’s traditional arcade boutiques, the shop is tiny, but its size belies the wealth of goodies that can be found inside. Budd is a veritable Pandora’s box!

Their prime offering is shirts. They made all their shirts by hand at our workshop here in England. They are also one of the few remainingWest Endshirtmakers to still have its own cutting room on the premises. This is located above the shop and has presided over theArcadefor over 60 years.

As well as shirts, Budd carries an extensive range of dresswear, nightwear, a fantastic selection of ties and bow ties, braces, socks, and many more accessories. They are passionate in celebrating and supporting British craft and workmanship and all of our product is sourced here in theUK. They are particularly proud of stocking many menswear items that are tricky to find today, such as waistcoat slips, stiff bibbed shirts, detachable collars and the softest chamois gloves.

G.J. Cleverley & CO (12 Royal Arcade, 28 Old Bond Street, London)

For over 50 years G.J.Cleverley & Co is where you will find the best of bespoke English shoemaking and craftsmanship. Situated in the beautiful 19th century Royal Arcade just off Old Bond Street, Cleverley is at the heart of London’s West End.
Their website covers a range of shoes from Bespoke to Ready-to-Wear. One advantage to Bespoke shoes is that the client can alter the style and colour to their own specification.

Connolly (32 Grosevenor Crescent Mews, London)

Cordings (19 Piccadilly, London)

Co-owed by Eric Clapton, Cordings emphasis is firmly on tradition and re-establishing the reputation of quality. All merchandise is made to exclusive specifications from materials traditionally found in the UK. The marque of Cordings is now attracting back sons and grandsons of followers from previous decades.

Cutler & Gross (16 Knightsbridge Green, London)

Over the last 40 years Graham Cutler and Tony Gross have led the revolution that turned eyewear from medical necessity into key fashion accessory. From their London base in Knightsbridge, CUTLER AND GROSS began building its eyewear empire, a by-word for originality and flair. Its client base transcends all ages, industries and backgrounds, drawing from the worlds of music, the arts, finance, fashion, journalism and design.


Edward Green ( 12/13 Burlington Arcade, London)

Edward Green is an English shoemaker founded in 1890. Edward Green is based in Northampton,England. The level of handwork involved in production is very high and only around 250 pairs of shoes are completed a week.

During the 1930s Edward Green was one of the largest manufacturers of officers' boots for the British Army. Their shoes have also been selected by such clients as the Duke of Windsor, Ernest Hemingwayand Cole Porter.

Edward Green shoes are available from their own shops in Jermyn Street in London and on theBoulevard St Germain in Paris, as well as stores around the world such as Isetan in Japan, Matches inWimbledon Village, and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York.

Herbert Johnson ( 30 New Bond Street, London)

In 1872, a young Lad named Herbert Louis Johnson was apprenticed, by his parents, for seven years to hat-makers Lincoln Bennett, to learn the trade. He obviously did well and in 1889 on the somewhat unlikely advice of the Prince of Wales (later to become King Edward VII), he went into business with one Edward John Glazier at 45 New Bond Street, London W1.

The story recounts that one day when the Prince of Wales was riding in the park, his top hat blew off, damaging it. The young Herbert Johnson who happened to be 'to hand', picked up the Royal topper and offered his professional services. The hat was duly repaired. The Prince was pleased and subsequently suggested to the young hero that he set himself up in business. All this came to pass and Herbert Johnson soon became well known for all forms of headwear for the well-dressed gentleman including Royal patronage.

Fame and success came quickly and Kaiser Wilhelm, the Czar of Russia, King George of Greece not to mention the Duke of Clarence - of doubtful fame - amongst other great names, all found their way to Bond Street.

And I would add to this list a shoemaker that I've discovered last year:

Oliver Sweeney Tattoo Shoes (14 King Street, Covent Garden, London)

History

We love shoes. Some might say we're obsessed. 
Passionate about detail and the best construction methods, we take our time to select the right materials and components to give you real quality and distinctive style. 

Founded in 1989, we've had some great experiences and we believe in looking to tomorrow as well as yesterday to inform our design. We challenge convention, daring to be different, and we don't jump on every trend because we believe fashion is transient and style is forever.

Our Cobbler-In-Chief has shoemaking in his blood; his Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather made shoes and he is taking their dreams one step further.