When Battersea Power Station opened its doors last month, more than 14,000 days had passed since it stopped generating the capital’s electricity. The multi-million-pound redevelopment, which transformed the derelict building into a sparkling mall and housing complex over the span of a decade, has given the area a new lease of life.
Inside the 42-acre, former brownfield site, you’ll now find more than 100 bars, restaurants and shops, ranging from Aesop to Lacoste. Smaller but equally exciting brands have also joined the fray, alongside a new neighbourhood bookstore, Battersea Bookshop, and Curated Makers, a retail concept that links local independent artists and designers with the high street.
While you might have to get in line for a taste of the Battersea buzz, the impressive establishment is definitely worth a trip. Here’s our edit of the boutiques to visit.
Reformation
The power station is now home to Reformation’s fourth store in the capital, bringing its forward-thinking technology and ethical ethos to south London for the first time. A revolutionary lifestyle brand that proves fashion and sustainability can coexist, shop stylish, vintage-inspired designs and also get your hands on some limited-edition collections.
Reformation has its usual in-store technology across the shop floor and in its dressing rooms, with Magic Wardrobes allowing customers to search through the brand’s entire collection. Tap the iPads in the dressing room to have alternative sizes and styles brought to you directly from the stockroom. With sustainability at the core of the brand, Reformation promises to offset 100 per cent of the store’s electricity usage with renewable energy, too.
10am-9pm (Sunday 12-6pm), thereformation.com
Tudor
The Watches of Switzerland Group has added to its mono-brand boutique portfolio with the opening of its fourth Tudor store on the ground floor of the power station. To celebrate, Tudor has unveiled its first immersive and interactive presentation showcasing the materials used in the Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze Boutique Edition watch. Other in-store tech enables customers to snap an on-wrist photo of their new watch, so they can quite literally try before they buy.
The boutique has been decked out in the brand colours of black, red and white and sleek glass cabinets display the brand’s full range of watches, including classic, sport, diving and heritage-inspired timepieces.
10am-9pm (Sunday 12pm-6pm), watches-of-switzerland.co.uk
The Kooples
12 years after the opening of its first UK shop on London’s King’s Road, French luxury brand The Kooples returns to open a new store in Battersea. Founded in 2008, the brand has become synonymous with androgynous gender-free shapes, living up to its name which translates as “the couples” in French slang.
Inside the turbine halls, shoppers can discover the collections designed by Capucine Safyurtlu, the brand’s new creative director. Expect minimalist silhouettes, raw materials and styles oozing glamour. Look out for the Project Earth badge to find clothing made from environmentally preferred materials, such as biodegradable pure cotton and wood pulp-derived viscose.
10am-9pm (Sunday 12-6pm), thekooples.com
Breitling
Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling has unveiled its latest boutique in Battersea, which is also home to the brand’s first UK café. The store is the brand’s 16th in the UK and is housed in the power station’s second turbine, with every design detail considered to complement the building’s history. An industrial-loft style features walnut furniture, dark oak floors and exposed brick walls – a fitting tribute to the old power station, which is one of the largest brick buildings in the world.
The boutique will be home to the brand’s full collection of sleek, sporty watches. While you’re mulling over your timepiece of choice, take a seat in the adjacent café, set away from the hustle and bustle of the shop thanks to a dividing industrial wall.
10am-9pm (Sunday 11am-6pm), breitling.com
Theory
Marking another milestone for the New York label, Battersea Power Station is now home to Theory’s second London store. The house was founded in 1997 by Andrew Rosen and Elie Tahari to bring expert cuts and minimalist designs to the market and, quite impressively, they continue to do so 25 years later.
Theory is another sustainable brand famed for taking careful control over its materials, which are sourced from some of the best mills around the world before being tailored by the in-house atelier. Women’s trousers are what made this brand famous, so try on a pair or two in mauve, midnight blue and charcoal tones.
10am-9pm (Sunday 12-6pm), theory.com
Sweaty Betty
London must have a special place in Sweaty Betty’s heart, as Battersea Power Station isn’t only home to the first-ever concept store, but it’s also the largest of Sweaty Betty’s 84 standalone shops globally.
The new shop will also be the destination for special product releases and sneak peeks, such as Sweaty Betty’s new branding, which rolls out globally next autumn. The layout of the store itself is impressive, with a large LED video wall displaying a runway-like show of the brand’s best-sellers. A top-notch fitting room experience also promises spacious ‘Power Pods’, twice the size of a standard fitting room, as well as upholstered wall coverings, plush flooring and adjustable lighting.
10am-9pm (Sunday 12-6pm), sweatybetty.com
Read more: The best independent boutiques in Marylebone
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