Shopping

A lot of my friends will nod in agreement when I say I have an insatiable appetite for shopping! But I would like to make a small point; I do not participate in meaningless consumption, where one buys stuff without knowing what for and especially crappy rubbish stuff that falls apart shortly after purchase.

I often have a clear goal in my shopping; I think what makes it abundant is the fact that there are so many different areas to shop for! Kids clothes, home decoration, kitchen utensils, body products, stationery, special food products, delicious wines and of course shoes… and bags! But it doesn’t have to be for me, I love helping others who find shopping difficult or boring. It’s like a hunt or a chase, poking around in all sorts of shops from high street to elegant and the challenge is to find things that fit a purpose and are also beautiful. I suppose that’s why I enjoy the retail business, because I’m a trader at heart.

One of my favourite department stores in London is Liberty’s, not only is the mock Tudor building inspiring in itself but the way they present their goods is very aesthetic and the size is just right, small enough to feel exclusive and large enough to have a real variety. I particularly love the shoe department and the carpet department at the top, like a Bedouin tent it’s packed with oriental kilims and Berber rugs.

Harrods, there is no there store quite like it with its excesses and extremes. I remember as a kid not turning up for ballet classes which were just on the next street, and instead roaming around Harrods just looking at everything and absorbing the atmosphere. I wanted to live in there; I thought it was the most sophisticated and elegant place on earth.

The fish hall with the painted tiles and fountain, the chocolate hall with counter upon counter of sophisticated creations, the scent department in white marble, in those days all the perfume women had coral pink suits and I thought it was the most glamorous place in town. I also remember there being a pet shop at one of the top floors with puppies and cats and tortoises and all sorts of birds, seems completely mad today to imagine that that existed.

Walking into the shoe department now was like walking into a box of candies…all the spring sandals in fruity pastel shades…. I have a real faiblesse for open sandals, they represent some kind of summery freedom and exotic sexiness that I just can’t resist. Looking into my closet I have quite a few pairs and not enough days of the year to wear them. Maybe it’s a way of wishing out loud for another climate than the one where I am actually based, hmm.

I also love design and fashion books and one of the best bookstores for this in London is the Victoria and Albert Museum shop. The only thing is they’re so heavy to carry home! I settled for three, a big Kenzo book full of his 1980’s designs and beautiful prints, a sleek YSL book and a book on fashion illustration. They are now lying on my coffee table, waiting to be consumed bit by bit.

I love coffee table books, I don’t care if it’s considered unintellectual to love them, I love visually strong books with beautiful photos and illustrations that inspire me!

Love from Filippa.