Well, I can remember them and, in particular, the outlandish clothes we wore, like bell-bottoms and floral shirts — and this was just the men. Male fashion led the way then and was celebrated with songs like Dedicated Follower of Fashion, a big hit for the Kinks.
Blue Badge Tourist Guides need to know their modern history as well as what happened centuries ago. Written by Emma McCarthy, the deputy fashion editor of the London Evening Standard, the Shop London book handpicks more than of the most talked about, tucked away and unique retail spots in the city, exploring both destination shopping areas, as well as specialist boutiques from homeware to children's wear.
Would you like to receive our newsletter? Follow Guide London! Harrods over the years Harrods department store in London was founded by Charles Henry Harrod in — originally just a single room located where the Egyptian room is today halfway along the side facing Knightsbridge. Harrods — more an alternative universe than a store Harrods department store in London attracts a veritable smorgasbord of people from all over the world — both employees and customers.
Justin Roxburgh Are you looking for new adventures and experiences? Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Read more. Museums and Galleries. Instagram Instagram did not return a Guide London. Harrods steadily expanded, and by was a thriving department store, offering everything from medicines and perfumes to clothing and food and attracted wealthy customers. Its expansion suffered a knock in when a fire destroyed the store. This did not halt the owners, however, who duly rebuilt the store, with the help of architect Charles William Stephens, into what it is today.
Known for its grandeur, when the store reopened it had a palatial style, featuring a frontage clad in terracotta tiles adorned with cherubs, swirling Art Nouveau windows and was topped with a baroque-style dome. Harrods became a public company in and by the s it had established a bank and estate agency and a department selling exotic pets that lasted until the s. It featured one of the world's first escalators in During World War II, the store transformed itself from selling luxury goods to making uniforms, parachutes and parts for Lancaster bombers.
The takeover bid was bitterly fought as Mr Al Fayed had previously served on Lonrho's board but left nine months later after a disagreement. Lonrho's director, the late Tiny Rowland, took his campaign against the takeover to the Department of Trade who duly held an inquiry. As he tired after many years of hard graft, his innovative son Charles Digby Harrod took charge and the development of the store went into overdrive. Charles Digby was a human dynamo compared to his more careful father.
A hard but fair taskmaster, he got the best out of his loyal workers. Competitors were seen off, new methods of advertising and trading were used and new departments followed. Charles Digby bought up neighbouring shops as they became available and gradually the footprint of the present store began to be formed. His business was based not on the luxury goods and clients of today, but on selling good quality at a low price to anyone who would buy.
In , during the build-up to the busy Christmas sales season, calamity struck as a fire burnt the store down to the ground. The response in the press suggested that all was lost. For many, this would have been an enormous setback.
Yet in typical fashion, Charles Digby turned the disaster into an opportunity to build the shop afresh, extend the departments and modernise the layout. He fulfilled every Christmas order on time using temporary premises across the road together with the hard work of his staff. His reputation — and that of the store — was enhanced. By the end of the century, Charles Digby was the father of eight grown-up children. The coolest London events from our partners.
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 12 months ago. England's first escalator Imagine you've never seen an escalator, or 'moving staircase', before. Report a problem with this article. X close. Londonist in your inbox Plan your day ahead or read the day's London headlines with our daily emails. Get Londonist in your inbox The best things to do in London. I would also like to receive the Best Of Londonist weekly email, sent Sunday morning I would also like to receive Things To Do in London: The Daily Guide weekday picks sent every day at 4pm for the next day Thank you, your preferences have been saved.
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