By Laura Medina
If you're assumptions of London...and England is that of "Masterpiece Theater, Downton Abbey, and Dr. Who," boy...aren't you mistaken.
This is a special treat to you all...the modern-day London Christmas edition. How Londoners really rock Christmas.
By rock, it means getting no more English than the Rolling Stones. Celebrating their 50th Anniversary and the launch of a 12 month music celebration in Carnaby. The Rolling Stones have co-designed the Carnaby Christmas Decorations to rock the holidays.
Boy, did Carnaby in London rock the holidays.
With Grazia Magazine's help, they helped get the Carnaby 20% Shopping Party rolling where shoppers and guests enjoy 20% discount at participating 100 shops and restaurants.
Shoppers enjoyed 20% off dinner and drinks at the restaurants, bars and cafés. Ginger and White served slow roast pork sarnies and mulled spiced apple juice. Cinnamon Soho offered shoppers rock n' roll combo of cocktails on the rocks and Indian lamb rolls.
Youtube’s new fashion channel FASHTAG launched their new Ganton Street studio with a live beauty bar where shoppers learnt to recreate the latest looks and trends.
Carnaby Style Spotters were out on the hunt for the coolest shoppers to appear in an Instagram shoot after having a free Illamasqua rocking makeover and Carnaby styling session.
Dr Martens is very much alive and well. They opened their flagship store with a live band, drinks, and complimentary customization.
Among the fun-filled hustle and a bustle, Grazia’s editor-at-large Angela Buttolph hosted AW12 trend talks at the Book Exchange in Kingly Court.
Upper Playground had a signing by model Ellis Cooper.
Lomography launched their new exhibition ‘Deck The Walls’ by outline editions. Live music on the streets of the Newburgh Quarter was provided by Fourth and Main. Evisu collaborated with Threads TV to create an in store styling event with lucky winners walking away with their styled outfits. Some lucky shoppers walked away with goodie bags full of treats after finding the secret location on twitter.
For a more traditional English vibe, during the day, you can hit St. James for very traditional British gifts for the gentleman in your life...or for yourself.
At shirt and tie makers Harvie & Hudson, gift tokens for fully bespoke shirts starting from £175 are available for a totally personalised present, or for a festive themed gift, a made to measure pyjamas set from Turnbull & Asser costs £285.
With 170 years of experience, Foster & Son can create an extra special bespoke shoe. For an investment of £2850, style and design can be tailored and a shoe created precisely for that person’s measurements, the ultimate in custom-made gifts. If an indoor winter is planned, Crockett & Jones offers hand-embroidered velvet slippers designed for both men and women starting from £150 and £225 respectively.
A traveller gift essential is the Harris Tweed Wash Bag from D. R. Harris, available in two sizes and featuring two bespoke-designed Harris Tweeds, ‘Town’ and ‘Country’; prices are £75 for small and £95 for large.
If the fine folks at St. James can outfit a gentleman, they can also "kit" him with Perfumers Floris' four new exclusive gift sets comprising moisturiser, shower gel, hand washes and eau de toilette. Scents include White rose, Cefiro, Santal and Cinnamon & Tangerine, ranging in price from £35 to £70.
Customers can be pampered and relax in St. James by enjoying a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne in the Lounge at Dukes Hotel, or afternoon tea at The Cavendish.
The Italian restaurant Franco’s have tables, rooms and even the whole restaurant to hire to host Christmas parties from 12 to 125 guests to enjoy traditional and modern Italian dishes in the heart of St James’s.
For the lucky partner whose gentleman has a hidden wish to be a chef, Fortnum & Mason can help during the build up to Christmas with their Stir Up Sunday Kit and Christmas Cake Kit, providing all you need to make the perfect Christmas deserts. Ready made Christmas cakes and puddings are also available and for those wanting an alternative, sponge cakes come in a variety of flavours such as Lemon Curd, Triple Ginger and Sticky Toffee with Salted Caramel.
For the foodie in your family, nothing beats a savoury alternative, Paxton & Whitfield’s Acacia Wood Boards with Cheese cost £45.00; made up of four individual cheese boards made from acacia wood, they come with portions of delicious Montgomery’s Cheddar, Trefle, Beauvale and Oxford Isis.
For my American readers, this isn't your usual Christmas gift guide.
Think of this as a travel guide through a London Christmas.
Cheers for a Rockin' London Christmas.
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