There are six Jo Malone outlets in London. Four of these are stand-alone shops; the other two are in Harrods and Selfridges department stores.
The flagship store is in Sloane Street; a sleek corner location with topiary outside the door. It’s at the quiet Sloane Square end of the street.
It’s a very pleasant space to be in, with ‘Tasting Bars’ for brief therapies such as arm massage, places to sit and ‘play’ with products and fragrance combinations, a sophisticated stone sink to wash off the less successful experiments, and lots of friendly black-clad assistants. (The very helpful Stefania told me that the bath oils are excellent dabbed on pulse points, and that many people buy the home fragrances for personal use.)
This is one of the two London locations where you can book facials and body treatments (the other location is in Brook Street). Limited editions such as the new White Tie and Tiara (for the Aids Foundation) are released here first.
Best selling fragrance: Seems it’s Lime Basil Mandarin cologne.
Getting there: Jo Malone, 150 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9BX; Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 2100.
The nearest tube station is Sloane Square; it’s a couple of minutes’ walk. The station only has one exit; turn right and head past the Royal Court Theatre. You’ll see the end of Sloane Street ahead of you, slightly to the left.
Nearby: Right across the road, Paul & Joe.
Ortigia has a store just round the corner from Sloane Square station. Turn right just after the Royal Court Theatre, and it’s about twenty yards down on the right.
There’s also Peter Jones department store on Sloane Square.
The first Annick Goutal boutique should open soon, in Motcomb Street, just off Sloane Street.
At the other end of Sloane Street (and a 10-15 minute walk), there’s Harvey Nichols, plus a bunch of designer stores such as Chanel, Prada, Armani and Hermès.
Don’t miss: Straight ahead of you, as you exit the station, is the Kings Road. There are many perfume shops here, such as Reminiscence, Penhaligon’s, Space NK and L’Occitane. Alternatively, just cruise up and down to spot famous faces (this is a seriously popular residential area for the rich and glamorous), or all the fashionable poseurs clearly desperate to be looked at. Or goggle at the amazing shops (the Kings Road is where Vivienne Westwood started her SEX boutique with Malcolm McLaren in the 70s).
— image & report filed by Nina.
See also: Perfume Shopping in London