New Penhaligon’s And Chanel Shops In London

Image: Chanel

Perfume is by no means the primary concern of the new Chanel boutique on Bond Street, but I’d recommend a visit even if you’re not interested in the brand’s clothes, shoes or handbags. When I first read that this was to be the firm’s largest shop in the world, I confess I feared the worst. Would it be an oversized Chanel mall, I wondered. Would it diminish the ‘luxury’ feel which the company still manages to convey to most people? I’m pleased to say that the answer turned out to be No, because the space is a triumph of clever design. Yes, it’s large, but it’s been chopped up into small, intimate sub-sections. And boy, is it a feast for the eyes. From the 11 meter tall, Jean-Michel Othoniel glass necklace – the largest of its kind, apparently – to the rhinestone-encrusted, Marc Swanson deer in the jewellery section – inspired by the less blingy specimens Mademoiselle Gabrielle kept at her 31 Rue Cambon apartment – all the specially commissioned artworks are worth a second look. What’s more, they pay homage to the firm’s past whilst simultaneously pushing its aesthetic far into the 21st century, which would have satisfied Gabrielle’s avant-garde-ist leanings, no doubt.

Equally inviting is the new Penhaligon’s shop at Covent Garden’s Piazza. Those of you familiar with London’s perfumery scene will be aware that a few weeks ago, this was the site of the UK’s sole L’Artisan Parfumeur boutique. Although I still think it’s a shame that the decision was made to close it down, I cannot deny that the work that’s gone into transforming it into the home of Hammam Bouquet is very impressive. The decor is completely in keeping with the look of the Christopher Jenner re-vamp of the Regent Street store: lots of illuminated alcoves housing individual bottles; bow-tie motifs hidden in unexpected places; flacon-shaped lights; a mirrored fragrance profiling area; plush, padded seating. The basement has become a Penhaligon’s museum of sorts, featuring old bottles of some of the brand’s best known creations. But the best part is that the L’Artisan staff have all been retained. Okay, they’re now selling Amaranthine instead of Al Oudh, but never mind, because Diana and co must surely be one of the friendliest, most enthusiastic and most hospitable fragrance teams in the whole city. So although I shall miss being able to pop in for a quick sniff of the Rose Des Indes candle, at least I know someone will always be around to listen to my geeky scent ramblings.

[The Chanel boutique is at 158-159 New Bond Street (telephone: 020 7493 5040; underground: Green Park or Bond Street); the Penhaligon’s boutique is at 13 Market Building, The Piazza, Covent Garden; underground: Covent Garden.]

Persolaise

Image: Penhaligon’s