When Henry Gordon Selfridge built his huge department store in the West End, shopping for Londoners would never be the same. The first to understand that shopping could be a fun, seductive and multi-sensorial experience, the U.S.-born businessman was a true pioneer. The majestic Edwardian building on Oxford perfectly reflected the personality of its founder, whose only modest aspect was his height. When television was yet to exist and cinema was in its infancy, Selfridge entertained his clients better than an expo, almost like a ballroom, with a particular eye towards women. His stores, it was often said, were the “third tourist attraction of the capital” after Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. The attention given to the window displays, “the bargain corner” and the habit of placing perfumes and cosmetics just within the entrance are just a few of the innovations credited to him. The secret was to offer a dream to every customer and, above all, never stop. In 1938, for instance, elevators were installed on Oxford Street that, in themselves only, warranted a visit to the store - the clients could shuttle up and down to various departments in bronze and cast iron boxes designed by the famed Edgar William Brandt. Today, it is possible to admire these at the Museum of London, with decorations inspired by the signs of the Zodiac, as well as exotic Japanese-inspired Swans.
An exhibition celebrates Edwin Austin Abbey, a 19th-century American artist, showcasing his study for the monumental work The Hours created for the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
Hurvin Anderson’s first major retrospective explores twenty-five years of painting between England and Jamaica, memory and modernity, and brings together over sixty paintings by the British artist, ranging from nostalgic interiors to saturated landscapes, through a profound reflection on identity and belonging.
HansZimmerLive - The Next Level comes to London for two exclusive dates at the O2 Arena: November 30 and December 1, 2025. Here, the Oscar and Grammy-winning composer presents a show that elevates film music to a captivating live experience.
Paintings, sculptures, textiles and poetry by over 50 artists including Uzo Egonu, El Anatsui, Ladi Kwali and Ben Enwonwu chronicle the achievements of Nigerian artists working before and after the decade of the nation’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
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