London is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. There is so much around in the form of fashion and art. Every street, every corner, every wall, every store, and restaurant has its own unique look to it. The individual design of all the different areas is what makes traveling around the city so much fun. I haven’t been and hopefully will never be disappointed when I go somewhere, because I never really know what to expect.
Every now and then I will get on the tube and just go somewhere new. Maybe get off at a new stop that I have not yet heard of. In those moments of spontaneity I usually end up in the coolest areas. Some places I have just heard of by word of mouth. However, in every place, there will be something interesting no matter what.
One day, my friend Kellie and I decided to just get on the tube and choose a place that sounded interesting. We had heard a lot about a place called Shoreditch, and decided to check it out. When we got off the tube, we immediately walked into a very artsy coffee shop and had to get a coffee merely just for the style of the place. After that, we made our way down the streets and found a numerous amount of shops with all types of style. I really appreciate interior design and most of the smaller boutiques pay attention to that detail.
To me, style is a huge part of what makes a person who they are. Here in London, fashion is a way of life. It is also a way to tell the difference between locals and tourists. Locals tend to have this aura around them that says ‘I can wear whatever I want'. Each individual has something unique about them. Whether it is a jacket, a hat, or the color of their hair, everyone represents themselves through their style.
Another one of my favorite parts about going into stores in areas such as Carnaby, Shoreditch, and Oxford Circus, are the dozens of places to choose from. I also love the decorations that each individual place uses to make their stores interesting. One of a kind stores can be more alluring just because you know that not everyone will be walking around with the same thing as you.
Carnaby Street is an area of more trendy stores such as, Pepe Jeans, Savage London, Monki, Dr. Martens, and Revival. There are also loads of cool bars such as Whetherspoons, for a fun night out after shopping. Oxford Circus is a great area for shopping essentials, and name brands such as, Top Shop, River Island, and H&M. Shoreditch, on the other hand has a lot of vintage stores, and places you would not normally find anywhere else.
All are excellent parts of London, and need to be explored. I still have tons of adventures to embark on and places to see. I cannot wait to find out what else London has to offer.
Laura Koch is the Fall 2013 CEA MOJO in London. She is currently a sophomore at Georgia State University in Atlanta.