London Calling

A little while ago, one of Torontos most beloved fashion
bloggers/illustrators bid us adieu to set up in shop in Blighty. We
asked Final Fashions
Danielle Meder to share some insider tips and treasures from London town.

shop
There’s
a stretch on Kingsland Road in Dalston where there are about half a
dozen charity shops, and although you’re competing against some very
savvy shoppers, a keen eye will uncover the odd treasure.

On Brick Lane youll pay a bit more for vintage but you won’t have to
look as hard. Rokit
and Beyond Retro
both have large selections, fast turnover and decent prices. There are
tons of street stalls on the weekend that are worth a look. I’ve even
had some luck bartering. Ask for a better price, you might get it.

For beauty stuff, this super-pharmacy Boots
is pretty decent. The flagship on Oxford Street is massive. I buy my
Clinique stuff there.

eat + drink
Theres
nothing I love more than a fresh sausage or bacon and egg sandwich (or
bap) italian caffs all over the city serve these. I recently had one at Diana’s
Diner in Covent Garden which totally hit the spot.Foodie stuff
galore at Borough Market is worth a whole weekday morning. Get the best
coffee at Monmouth
and nibble samples of everything. Weekends, hit up Broadway Market to
see and be seen, it’s like a fashion show with food.

do
Friday
evenings at the V&A have lots of fun activities and are a great
way to meet people. The National Portrait Gallery does something similar
called the Late
Shift. I always go for a live drawing class whenever I have the
chance they’re available all over the city all the time, from serious
art school sessions to drink & draw pub style. Every Thursday
on Vynor Road, art galleries open their doors & serve cheap (or
sometimes free) beers. The
Book Club in Shoreditch offers tons of diversions & a lively
atmosphere.
Athena Tsavliris