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.
Over 300 objects from the Royal Collection, including works by the most renowned contemporary artists of the period, including Carl Fabergé, Frederic Leighton, Edward Burne-Jones, Laurits Tuxen, John Singer Sargent and William Morris, tell the story of the Edwardian era.
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.
Lee Miller was one of the most sought-after models of the late 1920s. She quickly moved behind the lens, becoming a leading figure in the avant-garde scenes of New York, Paris, London and Cairo. An exhibition at Tate Britain celebrates her extraordinary career.
Emily Kame Kngwarreye is one of the world's leading painters to emerge in the late 20th century, her lived experience and spiritual engagement with her homeland translated into vibrant batiks and later monumental canvas paintings.
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