Great Britain continues to lead the world of style and fashion, drawing Emirati eyes to its avant garde vogue and timeless trends, according to British luxury retailers. 

With the London 2012 Olympic Games just around the corner, there has never been a more exciting time for the fashion-savvy to visit Britain and treat their selves and family alike to eccentric British souvenirs that can be found all over the UK, which showcases a huge variety of shopping opportunities, from the luxury award winning department store, Selfridges, to Burlington Arcade, England’s oldest and longest shopping gallery, to deal hunting on designer brands at outlet centre, Bicester Village. 

“Britain not only sets trends, it celebrates dazzling, daring, and stylish vogue that has been imitated globally,” said Bruno Barba, Selfridges’ Brand Public Relations Manager. “We invite Gulf residents to join the fashion fête that is ever present in the UK’s many, historically renowned and up-and-coming shopping venues.” 

Selfridges, known as the world’s top department store, has been one of the hottest London destinations and UK landmarks for over a century, challenging the rules of retail since 1909. The Oxford Street flagship and its three sister stores continue to set the pace for retail in the 21^stcentury and houses the largest women’s footwear space in the world. 

Another true luxury landmark in London is The Burlington Arcade, England’s oldest and longest shopping arcade, open since 1819 and tucked discreetly between Bond Street and Piccadilly.  Housing over forty specialist shops and designer brands including Lulu Guinness and Jimmy Choo’s only UK menswear vintage watches, customised footwear, the Arcade has long been favoured by Royalty, celebrities and British society’s elite. 

“Stylish Gulf visitors will supplement their already expansive knowledge of high fashion by visiting classic landmarks in shopping history,” said Dubai-based Carol Maddison, UAE Manager, VisitBritain. “Following trips down the chic avenues of Selfridges and Burlington Arcade, shoppers and their families must visit the expansive malls that draw millions of patrons each year.”  

London’s West End offers an outstanding mix of 600 shops, 40 renowned theatres, 30 museums and galleries, 17 Michelin star restaurants and seven tranquil green spaces off Regent Street.  Two hundred million people visit London’s West End each year spending nearly AED 43.8 million.  Of these visitors 37% are from overseas and a further 21% are from outside of London and it is now ranked number one globally for international flagship stores. 

For trendsetters with a more discerning style, an original experience awaits at Seven Dials in Covent Garden, which is home to almost two-thirds ‘indie’ boutiques, heritage brands, vintage stores and indulgent beauty and grooming salons. Shoppers can stroll down Monmouth Street which houses fashion forward gems to be found at boutiques such as Unconditional +, Albam, Orion London and the Loft. 

Deal hunters will want to check out international tourist attraction Bicester Village, the UK’s leading designer outlet centre in Bicester in the English county of Oxfordshire, for several high-end brands, including Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Charles Tyrwhitt, Aquascutum, Gieves & Hawkes, Gucci, Dior, Bally and Prada. Bicester Village is visited annually by more than three million customers.  

Finally, Europe’s largest shopping mall resides in East London in Westfield Stratford City, boasting 250 shops plus 70 places to dine, the most innovative all-digital cinema in Europe with 17 screens and a luxury bowling experience. As part of one of the largest urban regeneration projects ever undertaken in the UK, Westfield Stratford City is located on the doorstep to the Olympic Park and during the Games, three quarters of all spectators are expected to walk directly through the centre on their way from the transport hubs to the Park.

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