THE EXPANISION OF BRITAIN’S MOST STYLISH VILLAGE

Last Friday I boarded the train to Bicester Village for a day of retail therapy. England’s most luxurious and chic outlet mall to those of you that haven’t been. People travel far and wide to come shop here. So popular they even have their own train station.

Boarding the train to Bicester Village from London Marylebone

First port of call was to see Desirée Bollier, Chair of Value Retail Management, who welcomed designers and editors to Britain’s most stylish village at a champagne reception. Bicester Village has undergone its biggest makeover since its original launch in 1995 with the addition of 30 new and desirable boutiques. The day revealed the impressive development of fashion, luxury and creativity.

Desiree Bollier inside the British Collective store check out that fabulous green velvet chair and the Wes Anderson style carpet .

Following a reception at the new Secret Garden Café, guests perused the new boutiques in the Village, ranging from Christopher Kane, Roksanda and Philipp Plein to the Charlotte Tilbury pop-up, before moving on to The British Collective (Think Wes Anderson interior). This festive boutique features array of stunning pieces from Chinti & Parker fashionable knits to Jade Jagger’s exquisite jewellery. Plus exclusive home products by the celebrated Luke Edward Hall that include the must-have Christmas sweater in collaboration with Royal Warrant holder John Smedley.

Here I am with Luke Edward Hall the artist who designed the gorgeous interior of the British Collective at Bicester Village

The newly expanded Bicester Village enhances the joys of shopping with the unveiling of The Apartment, a by-appointment-only VIP space designed by Carden Cunietti where guests can retreat in absolute comfort for private shopping consultations, personalized trunk shows or to rest after a long day of shopping. In celebration of this new phase, the Village has been re-landscaped by Wild at Heart founder Nikki Tibbles and features a specially commissioned art installation entitled Moon Blooms from renowned British artist Bruce Munro.