Vanessa Bruno sold originally in Harvey Nichols and boutiques nationwide, but the capital was more than ready for the 200sq ft of dedicated Bruno boudoir that opened in October 2010. The move into London was an obvious one for Bruno, who has long admired the city and its residents: ‘I have always loved London’s fashion scene. My mother would bring me when I was younger for afternoon tea at Brown’s... I have such affection for this hotel, seeing how women are so stylish in their own idiosyncratic way.’
The boutique now sits very comfortably in Mayfair, just a few strides from Acne, APC and fashion lover’s paradise Dover Street Market and houses the main collection and the Athé diffusion line in characteristically low-key style. Like that of her Parisian contemporary Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno’s brand has grown by word of mouth rather than an aggressive marketing campaign or retail presence.
The clothes are gorgeous knits, wafty printed dresses and well-cut blazers, all worn with clumpy boots, and investment coats with cosy hoods; what Bruno describes as ‘vêtements faciles pour filles difficiles’ (‘easy clothes for difficult girls’). They won’t necessarily scream the season’s next trend, but rather reflect a breed of innate style which is epitomised by Lou Doillon – the face and muse of the brand for four years. The store is now open; roll up your Breton sleeves and give it a nonchalant look.