Bond Street is in Mayfair, central London, and is renowned as a destination for international fashion houses, jewellers and watchmakers. The street is also home to art galleries and the Sotheby's auction house. Many of the shops are flagship stores for their respective brands.
Bond Street consists of two sections: Old Bond Street to the south and New Bond Street to the north. It connects Piccadilly and Oxford Street. Both parts of the street were built in the 18th century as part of the development of Mayfair, with New Bond Street completed shortly after Old Bond Street. The street is approximately 800 metres long and can be walked from end to end in a short time.
Bond Street is home to an estimated 100–150 shops, and this article highlights a selection of the key fashion, jewellery and watch brands found along the street.
History and Development as a Luxury Destination
Bond Street developed in the 18th century alongside the residential area of Mayfair. Townhouses and commercial premises were built in the area, attracting craftsmen, art dealers and tailors.
During the 19th century, Bond Street became an established shopping destination. Tailors, jewellers and art dealers strengthened the street's reputation as a hub for high-quality goods.
Over time, the commercial focus shifted from individual craftsmen and art dealers to international fashion houses. The historic scale of the buildings was preserved, but the use of the retail spaces evolved.
Old Bond Street and New Bond Street
Old Bond Street retains a more distinct 18th- and 19th-century character. New Bond Street continues northward and features larger retail spaces. The façades display a mix of classical and more modern architecture, with building heights and rooflines remaining largely uniform.
Along Old Bond Street, you'll find Charbonnel et Walker, a chocolatier established in 1875, located next to the Royal Arcade. The Royal Arcade is a Victorian shopping arcade and one of London's earliest covered shopping passages.
The name changes to New Bond Street at a small square where shops such as Ralph Lauren and Cartier are located. In front of the Ralph Lauren store stands a bronze equestrian statue that references the brand's polo theme.
Also found along the street is the bronze Allies sculpture, depicting Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt sitting on a bench. The sculpture was unveiled in 1995. Bond Street is also home to the Sotheby's auction house and Halcyon Gallery, which hosts contemporary art exhibitions.
Fashion on Bond Street
Bond Street's fashion offering includes French, British and Italian fashion houses. The differences between them are particularly evident in their cuts, materials and product categories.
French Fashion Houses
The Louis Vuitton store is situated at the beginning of New Bond Street, near the Allies sculpture. It is one of the most striking shops on the street and is well worth a visit. Louis Vuitton was founded in Paris by Louis Vuitton in 1854. The house is known for its Monogram and Damier-patterned bags as well as leather trunks. The men's collections are led by Pharrell Williams, whose tenure has seen collaborations with partners from the sports and music industries.
The Dior store is located opposite the Louis Vuitton shop. During Christmas, the store and one of the building’s walls are elaborately decorated, making it a popular spot for photographs. Dior was founded in Paris by Christian Dior in 1946. The house is known for the Lady Dior and Saddle bags, among other designs.
The Chanel boutique on Bond Street is right next to the stores mentioned above. Chanel was founded by Gabrielle Chanel in Paris in 1910. The house is known for its tweed suits, the 2.55 bag and two-tone shoes. The Bond Street boutiques focus on ready-to-wear collections and accessories.
British Fashion Houses
Burberry is a heritage British brand founded by Thomas Burberry in 1856. Its Bond Street store underwent a major renovation a couple of years ago and now offers a wide range of products in a spacious setting. Burberry is known for its trench coats and gabardine fabric. The check pattern is a prominent feature across outerwear and accessories.
Alexander McQueen was founded in London by designer Alexander McQueen in 1992. Its Bond Street boutique is located on Old Bond Street, closer to Piccadilly. The house is known for tailored suits and precisely cut jackets. The collections emphasise clean cuts and a restrained colour palette.
Italian Fashion Houses
The Prada store is also located at the Old Bond Street end. Prada was founded in Milan by Mario Prada in 1913. The house is known for its Saffiano leather bags and nylon accessories. Under the direction of Miuccia Prada, the collections combine pared-back silhouettes with materials such as nylon, technical fibres and coated fabrics.
The Gucci store is on the New Bond Street side. The brand was founded in 1921 in Florence by Guccio Gucci. The house is known for its GG monogram and Horsebit detail. In recent years, the collections have shifted towards cleaner colours and more restrained embellishment. The street is also home to large Salvatore Ferragamo and Dolce & Gabbana stores.
Jewellery on Bond Street
Bond Street's jewellery shops represent French, Italian and British fine jewellery traditions. The differences are reflected in the size of the stones, the use of colour and the construction of the pieces.
French Jewellery Houses
The largest jewellery store on Bond Street is Cartier, located at the small square on Old Bond Street. The store is also well known for its spectacular Christmas decorations and is a popular photography spot during the festive weeks. Cartier was founded in Paris by Louis-François Cartier in 1847. The house is known for the Love bracelet and Trinity ring, among other iconic designs. The same fundamental structures are repeated across different materials and size options.
Van Cleef & Arpels (1906) was founded in Paris by Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels. The house is known for its Alhambra collection, in which a four-leaf clover motif is repeated across different jewellery types.
Italian Jewellery House
Bulgari (1884) was founded in Rome by Sotirio Bulgari. The house is known for its Serpenti collection and its use of coloured gemstones. The collections frequently feature sapphires, emeralds and rubies, with the stones set prominently within the design.
British Jewellery Houses
Graff (1960) was founded in London by Laurence Graff. The collections are characterised by large individual diamonds set within simple metal structures. Boodles (1798) was founded in Liverpool as a family-owned jewellery business. The collection includes diamond rings and coloured gemstone pendants and bracelets.
Watches on Bond Street
Rolex is known for its Submariner and Datejust models, which have been updated over the years with modest changes to case dimensions and materials. Patek Philippe is a luxurious brand known for its Nautilus and Calatrava models. New versions are released infrequently, with changes typically concerning the movement or fine details.
Christmas on Bond Street
During the Christmas season, Bond Street invests in street lighting and shop window displays. Cartier's store, in particular, is known for its extensive seasonal decorations. The lighting and façades make the street one of the most photographed shopping destinations in London during the festive period.
