London Shopfronts
We're so excited to be partnering with beautiful coffee table book London Shopfronts which launched on the 25th September to bring one lucky Ealing Living Magazine reader the chance to win a copy.
Created by Wes Anderson-inspired illustrator Joel Holland with the expert descriptions of Time Out journalist and seasoned Londoner Rosie Hewitson, the book is a celebration of London, its quirky shops, and the weird and wonderful stories behind each of them.
The book devotes an entire section to the many beautiful shopfronts of West London. From Lisboa Patisserie, famous for its queues which go out the door, to the very first Ottolenghi with its signature mountain of meringues, to the beautifully monochromatic John Sandoe Books, London Shopfronts captures the variety and beauty of the independent stores which make West London so unique.
Joel Holland is an illustrator who has lived in New York City for over twenty years, currently residing in Manhattan with his wife Ploy and two daughters Ella and Nina. His illustrations have featured in myriad places, including The New York Times, The Guardian, the Apple store, and windows across the world. Rosie Hewitson has been Time Out London’s Events Editor since November 2021, and has edited the London newsletter ‘Out Here’ since its inception in June 2022. She writes about queer news, football, music and lifestyle trends for the likes of VICE, British Vogue, The Guardian, The Independent, Metro, Dazed, Refinery29, PinkNews, DIY, Stylist, Huck, Red Bull, ShortList and Glorious.
We were lucky enough to have a chance to speak to Joel & Rosie about the launch of the book and what inspired them to demonstrate their love for our wonderful city in this medium.
Joel, as you're not a Londoner, how did you choose the stores to feature? Did you walk around the city or go by recommendations?
It was a group decision. I’ve visited London a handful of times and had my favorite spots as a tourist. Our editor Ali Gitlow is from the U.S. but lived in London recently for 10 years. And Rosie has her proper resident experience. Our goal is to support the local, often ‘mom & pop’ businesses that sustain neighbourhoods and have a good story. We tried to be diverse and as inclusive as possible, the more unique and high quality the better.
Which would you say is London's most picturesque neighbourhood?
Joel: It’s impossible to pick just one! Soho is so stimulating to walk around. Holland park and Richmond is beautiful. I’m partial to Clerkenwell, Holborn, Barbican as a lot of my first visit years go was in those areas. The Barbican Centre! Battersea Park! The entire city is gorgeous!
Rosie: This is a really tricky question! I think there are loads of contenders, but it also depends on how you define picturesque. I love busy, colourful places like Peckham's Rye Lane, Green Lanes or Kingsland High Street in Dalston, where there's a huge, chaotic mish-mash of different nationalities, cuisines and kinds of shops.
Rosie, could you tell us which historical soundbite you found the most interesting when researching the book?
It's quite recent to count as an historical soundbite, but the favourite thing I learned while doing my research was that Randolph Hodgson, the founder of Neal's Yard Dairy, is married to Anita Le Roy of Monmouth Coffee, the pair having met in the late seventies when they both started businesses in Covent Garden's Neal's Yard. A London foodie power couple.
Joel, what's next? Do you think you'll be flexing your illustration skills in other foreign cities?
I have a Brooklyn Storefronts book coming out next year the I’m very excited about. Lots of great new shops and classics there. And after that I think there may be a Paris book in the works. I’m keeping busy and hope to do a lot more!
***
The perfect coffee table book to swoon over endlessly, as well as the illustrated guide to finding endless gems for eating, dancing, or whiling away the hours, this book is the perfect gift for those who love London and the independent shops which make the city what it is. Buy a copy here.
OR head to our Instagram to find out how you could WIN A COPY!