Monique Lhuillier to open first UK standalone in London's Mayfair

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Mar 1, 2023

The UK may be facing huge economic issues at present, with retail also challenged by the end of tax-free shopping for tourists, but high-end brands continue to flock to Britain’s luxury retail destinations.

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And the latest is believed to be Monique Lhuillier, which is reportedly planning to open its first UK standalone store in the heart of London’s Mayfair district.

The label — known for its red carpet pieces, its accessories and bridal offer — has agreed to open on South Audley Street, not far from the popular Mount Street luxury fashion hub.

Other retailers on South Audley Street include Erdem, Bamford, Stefano Ricci, Frette and Bremont.

The London Evening Standard said the label — founded in 1996 by Monique Lhuillier and her husband Tom Bugbee — is taking around 2,150 sq ft in London. It currently has three stores in the US as well as a raft of international wholesale stockists such as Harrods, Mytheresa, and plenty of indie stores, plus its own webstore.

The company hasn’t commented on its store plans and neither has neighbourhood landlord Grosvenor.

Mayfair has been very buoyant in the past year and Grosvenor last month said the vacancy rate in its Mayfair and Belgravia properties fell to just 0.8% at the end of 2022. That compared to a Q3 Prime West End average of 11.3%. 

Recent Mayfair openings have include Alice & Olivia, Kiton, Aranyani, and Malone Souliers.