Selfridges is the largest department store in Oxford Street, taking up a whole block to itself. Whether it’s bigger than Harrods in terms of floor area is debatable, but it’s close. Selfridges has never been able to quite measure up to the glamour of Harrods, but it certainly tries hard.
Life is made simple for perfume lovers by the fact that the main niche perfumery area is right inside the main doors. This also makes it something of a corridor, as it’s always full of people trying to get through it to get into the main store. The area is also rather dark and cave-like, and perfumes are often shelved around pillars, where it’s easy not to notice them at all.
Despite these disadvantages, the perfume room is worth exploring; Selfridges is often the first to stock exciting lines and the sales assistants are knowledgeable. Beyond the perfume cavern is the beauty hall, where you’ll find perfume brands such as Laura Mercier on sale.
Worth checking out: Selfridges currently sells a Comme des Garçons fragrance called ‘Bijou’, which they claim is unique to the store.**
Fragrance Brands: Acqua di Genova, Acqua di Parma, Annick Goutal, Badgley Mischka, Becker.Eshaya, Bella Bellisima, Brousseau, Caron (limited range), Commes des Garçons, Creed, Dior (colognes), Il Profumo, Jil Sander, Jo Malone, L’Artisan, Maître Parfumeur et Gantier, Miller et Bertaux, Miller Harris, Parfums d’Orsay, Penhaligons, Potter & Moore, Prada (including the exclusive boutique collection), Rancé, Robert Piguet, Susanne Lang, The Different Company, Theo Fennell, Tocca, Trish McEvoy.
Getting there: Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, Marylebone, London, W1A 2LR. Tel +44 (0) 870 837 7377 It’s a toss-up whether the nearest tube station is Bond Street or Marble Arch. If you use Oxford Circus tube station, you get to walk past/through three other department stores on the way (House of Fraser, Debenhams, John Lewis). All of these, and Selfridges, are on the north side of Oxford Street, and west of Oxford Circus.
Nearby: Opposite the main entrance to Selfridges is the Arabian Oudh shop, which is worth a visit. You’re also close to Marble Arch and Speakers’ Corner.
— images & report filed by Nina.
** Update ~ Bijou turns out to be a limited edition bottle of Comme des Garçons 2, and you can see a picture here.