I knew I'd love ON Motcomb - Belgravia's latest gem of a shop - even before walking through the elegant door. And yes, it is a very elegant door. Freshly painted with shiny hardware. In fact, every inch of ON Motcomb is elegant, luxurious and uber uber amazing. From the freshly polished floor to the finely painted ceiling, this shop is an experience.The sister store to Kuwait's hugely popular ALOthman boutique, ON Motcomb has big shoes to fill. And trust me, it's filling them. The team behind ALOthman in the middle east have created a super high-end brand through hard work and a client list of hugely dedicated devotees of fashion. And now ON is following suit over here in the UK. Before long, this new shop will be bursting at the seams with loyal shoppers, Mummy G included.In fact after reading in Harper's Bazaar about ON opening, I quickly marched Mummy G down to look for a frock for someone's, AHEM, impending wedding. If there was anywhere in London that could help, it would be ON Motcomb. Having seen the list of designers they stocked, it would have been rude to have left them hanging. With the likes of Giambattista Valli couture, Monique Lhuillier and Marchesa (all three my favourites), I HAD to go and have a look and feel, regardless of whether Mummy G found a dress or not!It's literally like a magical fashion wonderland. The wallpaper, the wall coverings, the mirrors, the perky little gorgeous shop assistant, THE DRESSES, the smell of the place. It took me in. All of it. Mummy G practically had to slap me out of it, to bring me back to reality. And the reality is that ON Motcomb is a great place to go for uber eveningwear. If you've got money to spend on a frock, this is the place for you. Enjoy pure luxury.Yes, the big department stores around town offer personal shoppers and iron-clad rails of hanging couture, but you still feel like you're in a massive, 'let's just make her buy something' place. But ON Motcomb - although I am under no illusion that their prime purpose being located in Belgravia is to pay the bleedin' rent - offers a somewhat more personable service. You feel like they actually care.A great addition to luxury shopping in London if you ask me. And Mummy G who, by the way, rather liked the First Lady-ready Jason Wu gown below...(Don't forget to check out the few questions I got to ask the Marketing Director at the bottom of this post)
***Above and below: One of the most epic Giambattista Valli couture gowns from the catwalk. LOVE for my bridesmaids!**
***Above and below: a mesmerizing Zac Posen. Look at that skirt detail. IN AWE!***
***Above: one of the many couture-clad rails. Below: the AMAZING flock wallpaper (specially made) and the decorative wall bars***
***Above: Mummy G in the First Lady's designer of choice, Jason Wu (do we like for the wedding?
Below: me in the rather good mirrors!***
***Just some of the delights you'll find - above, stunning Herrera and below, Kate Beckinsale's Monique Lhuillier***
***And some Marchesa!***
I also got to ask Nora Al Suwaiti, marketing director for parent store ALOthman, a few questions about ON Motcomb. Here's what she told me...
Me: Who would you say is the ON woman?Nora: ON Motcomb's woman is someone who looks for exclusivity and ultimate glamour. She appreciates luxury and attention to detail, and she wants to push boundaries with lavish and show-stopping evening gowns by some of the worlds highly crafted designers. Some gowns are so exquisite that they’ll never make it to the shop floor and are only shown to select clients.
Me: What designers are you most excited about working with on the store?Nora: The store will hold collections from international fashion houses including Balmain, Carolina Herrera, Elie Saab, Giambattista Valli Couture, Jason Wu, Monique Lhuillier, Naeem Khan and Zac Posen to name a few, and we're excited to work with them all equally. ON Motcomb will also carry a number of exclusive pieces commissioned each season, starting with Erdem and Marios Schwab. Also, we’ve just picked up Toni Maticevski, a young, Australian designer; it’s the first time he’s showing and his clothes are beautifully dramatic and have a very good price point.Me: How important was the look and feel of the new store?Nora: Extremely important as we didn't want the interior to overwhelm the beauty of the displayed gowns. We wanted to create a space where people can bring their friends and family and enjoy themselves. The interior was designed by the talented interior designer Ammar Basheir, the name behind Bahrain’s most uber-chic interiors including Plums restaurant at Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Bahrain. He went for the minimalist, all-white store look, which gave the effect of an art gallery with couture pieces curated for the fashion curious.
Go visit the shop, 11 Motcomb Street, London.