Burlington Arcade

51 Piccadilly, London, UK

The year is 1819. George III is King, and Robert Jenkinson-The 2nd  Earl of Liverpool, is Prime Minister. The 1819 Cotton Mills and Factories Act was enacted by Parliament, as the first attempt to regulate working hours and conditions for children in the Cotton Industry. Internationally, British colonisation results in the treaties between Sultan Hussein of Johor and Sir Stamdord Raffles, which effectively sees the creation of Singapore- a glorified port for the East India Company. Explorer William Smith sets foot on the South Shetland Islands- an archipelago off Antarctica. Back in England, Art critic and writer John Ruskin was born on the 8^th February, as well as Sir Henry Tate, the son of a clergyman who rose to become a 1^st baronet, sugar merchant, and philanthropist, who later opened the Tate Gallery in 1897 (now known as Tate Britain). John Keats, poet and true romantic, wrote ‘To Autumn’, inspired from a walk through Winchester, which is now marked as the end of his poetic career.

Now, let’s go back  the 20^th March, 1819. Lord George Cavendish, 5^th Duke of Devonshire, commissions architect Samuel Ware to build the Burlington Arcade, next to his London home- now the Royal Academy.

Originally, the arcade had seventy two small two storey units, though now the number could be cut in half. It was built for the sale of jewellery and fashion items- no doubt for the pleasure of the upper classes, and the wonderment of everyone else.   The Beadles- special patrol unit for the Arcade- were originally from Cavendish’s regiment, the 10^th Hussars. They may still be seen today with their top hats and frockcoats, though are perhaps less likely to enforce any kind of disciplinary action as they may once have done.

Today, the Arcade is home to fine jewellery companies, chocolatiers, lingerie stores, shoe stores, and above all, the most gratifying olfactive emporiums… perfumeries. I am sure the list will grow with time, but currently there are: Penhaligons, Chanel, Roja Parfums, Kilian and Frederic Malle.

Best ways to get to the Burlington Arcade:

• Nearest underground stations: Piccadilly, Circus &Green Park.
• Buses: 8, 9, 14, 19, 22, 38

CHANEL

The boutique sells their full range of parfums as well as the Les Exclusif range:

Misa, 1932, Jersey, Beige, Sycomore, 28 La Pausa, Bel Respiro, Coromandel, No18, 31 due Cambon, Eau de Cologne, Bois de Iles, Gardenia, Cuir de Russie, and  No22.

The store also offers fragrance and makeup consultations, and stocks face & body products.

Location: 54-55 Burlington Arcade, London, W1J 0LB

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7629 7621

Opening Hours: Monday- Friday: 10am-6pm, Saturday: 10am-6.30pm, Sunday: 11am-5pm

Roja Parfums

For the opening of the store, Roja Dove launched three perfumes, all aptly names ’51’:

“To celebrate the opening of our global flagship Roja Parfums boutique at Number 51, the Burlington Arcade, I have launched an exclusive collection of three new perfumed creations – aptly named ’51’. A sensory celebration of this important event in the Roja Parfums story.” 

-Roja Dove/www.rojaparfums.com

Location: 51 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QJ. 
Telephone: +44(0) 20 76 29 25 10

Penhaligon’s

Location: 16-17 Burlington Arcade, London, W1J OPL.
Telephone: +44(0)20 7629 1416

Opening hours:  Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm, Saturday: 10am – 6.30pm, Sunday: 11.30am – 5.30pm

Kilian

Designed by Chahan Minassian, the 30sqf store offers an in-store by request service, with a private lounge upstairs with an art gallery incorporated (including a scented jewellery collection). Available in-store are the various collections:

L’Œuvre Noire, Arabian Nights, Asian Tales, In The Garden Of Good And Evil, A Night In, The Garden Of Good And Evil, Addictive State Of Mind, Moonlight In Heaven, and the Boutique Exclusives:

• Apple Brandy
• Vodka on the Rocks
• Single Malt
• Lemon in Zest
• Pearl Oud
• Royal Leather

Location: 26 Burlington Arcade, London W1J 0QJ

Telephone: +44 (0)2074919236

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 10am – 7pm, Sunday: 11am – 5pm

Frederic Malle

At no.14, this is the first official boutique for Frederic Malle on British shores. The design takes inspiration from libraries, where the book shaped perfume boxes fill the book shelves. Handmade items fill the store with a marble table by French designer Martin Szekely, curtains by Maison Presles,  and a carpet inspired by one found at the Château de Groussay, designed by by Madeleine Castaing. The  store stocks the full collection of perfumes, including Une Fleur de Cassie, Le Parfum de Therese, Dans tes Bras, and Cologne Bigarade. You might even want to step into their glass cylinder and experience the scent of the perfume isolated from its surroundings. On a final note, all the sale perfumes are kept in a full height fridge- which is the optimum way to keep them from spoiling.

Location: 14 Burlington Arcade, London, W1J 0PH 

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 409 2364

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday: 10am – 7pm, Sunday: 11.30am – 6pm

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Best ways to get to the Burlington Arcade:

• Nearest underground stations: Piccadilly, Circus &Green Park.
• Buses: 8, 9, 14, 19, 22, 38