There’s a wealth of bespoke, hand-crafted and artisanal expertise carried out in these streets, just as proudly as there has always been. London Craft Week is a great starting point from which to delve into more of the high quality services you’ll find here all year round.
Making a spectacle at Cubitts
We begin our exploration of local craftsmanship at Jermyn Street’s small but beautiful eyeglass atelier. Cubitts are now London’s leading purveyors of hand-made spectacles, yet despite the walnut-clad interior showcasing individually-fashioned frames, the company is just six years old. They’ve successfully revived the city’s spectacle-making tradition, while also innovating with modern materials and technology to return to a level of personalised service that’s not been available for decades. The St James’s shop is their only branch to offer 18-carat gold frames in 89,000 combinations of size and shape.
Summer scent at Floris
Next stop is the long-established British perfumers, who return as a highlight of the London Craft Week programme this year with a masterclass from director Edward Bodenham and in-house perfumer Penny Ellis. Visit the Florisprivate perfumery to explore their library of ingredients and discover unique summer scents. More information click here.
Harvie and Hudson make the cut
Shirtmaking and St James’s are woven together for time immemorial, with generations of the world’s top cloth-cutters having made their name here. A visit to this outfitter is particularly special, as it’s a classic Jermyn Street family-run shirtmaker, the current Messers Harvie and Hudson are both third generation craftsmen. Their bespoke garments are all cut to order on site, using high quality luxury fabrics and finished with mother of pearl buttons.
Smeg brings colour to white goods
The range of appliances crafted by Italian maestros Smeg, located just around the corner, occupies the opposite end of the scale to the average white household good . From their iconic fridges (available at the St James’s flagship store decorated in eye-catching artwork by the likes of Dolce & Gabbana) through to boldly-coloured cookers and delightfully curved kettles, the craftsmanship of all their products is immediately apparent. For smaller gift ideas, the store is also the exclusive place to discover artisanal produce including Parmiggiano Reggiano from Montecoppe, Smeg’s very own family-run farm.
The craft of the catch, at Milos
The highest quality craft in St James’s is not just reserved for the boutiques and showrooms of course, but also when it comes to gourmet dining. Our tour concludes happily with some of the best seafood in the city. Estiatorio Milos always insist on the finest fresh daily catches for a truly authentic adventure in Mediterranean gastronomy. Everything is served to be shared, and for those looking for the ultimate unique experience, there’s even a private dining room with its own wine cellar, which we adore.
We hope you enjoyed your St James’s craft tour; we’ve certainly loved guiding you through it. St James’s is London’s destination for one of a kind experiences. Click here to curate your very own unique outing in St James’s.