“My history with Covent Garden began over 45 years ago, when I opened my first shop on Endell Street,” says Stephen Jones, the legendary milliner whose creations have sat atop the heads of Princess Diana, Grace Jones, Björk and even Glenn Close’s Cruella de Vil.
“Back then, the area was still boarded up after the food market moved to Nine Elms in late 1974. Much of historic Covent Garden was about to be demolished … and there were only two shops on Long Acre. Everything else was closed. I opened my current store and studio on Great Queen Street in 1995 and have learnt that there is a side to the area that only locals see, like parents taking their kids to school on Drury Lane and the sound of a playground. Tourists love it here because it’s how they imagine ‘Old London’ to be. Covent Garden is unrecognisable today, but it’s still village-like and compact.”
Oree
A French patisserie and coffee shop with a pale blue exterior on the corner of Wellington Street. The staff are very nice. Even if I’m right at the back of the queue, I get served my skinny flat white first.
Simpson's in the Strand
It was always one of London’s most legendary restaurants, but it became very fuddy-duddy. I am delighted that Jeremy King has transformed it, making it once again the place to be seen.
Jubilee Hall Gym
I first visited Jubilee Hall Gym when it was a roller disco in 1976, and I’d whizz around in bright blue lycra. Now I’m there wearing black Nike, being put through my paces by my trainer, Erykson [Mendes], who stretches my body to places that I never knew it could go.
Paul Smith
The window displays on Floral Street are always wonderful, and I just love the aura of the place. Paul Smith was the first person to do modern menswear, and I used to see him and his wife Pauline around town in the earlier stages of our careers. They were such successful, glamorous people.
Royal Opera House
If you’re an aficionado of the 1964 film My Fair Lady, you’ll know that Audrey Hepburn is [in a scene] outside the Opera House selling violets. What you see onscreen was, in fact, created in a Hollywood studio, but I love the film’s celebration of hats, especially in the unforgettable Royal Ascot scene. Because of that I have the most intimate connection to the Opera House.
The Club at The Ivy
A members-only club that occupies three floors above The Ivy restaurant. It’s so grown-up and makes you feel as if you’ve really arrived in London.
London Graphic Centre
One of London’s best art and graphics suppliers, LGC really is a great resource. Whenever I go, I always think, “I wish I had more time to use everything here.” I’m so happy that somewhere like it exists and it hasn’t all been swallowed by the internet.
Drury Lane Gardens
I love the little garden opposite St Clement Danes School on Drury Lane. It’s postage-stamp size – a pergola and planters surround a small children’s playground – and unless you were from the area you wouldn’t know it existed. It was actually the first heritage site saved by Octavia Hill, the founder of the National Trust.
Stephen Jones Millinery is located at 36 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5AA.
stephenjonesmillinery.com
@stephenjonesmillinery
This article first appeared in the third issue of Broadsheet London's magazine. Here's where to find a copy.
