The first port of call for most visitors to London when taking a stroll through the Knightsbridge area is the world famous Harrods department store on Brompton Road. From its humble beginnings, opening as a grocery store in the mid 19th century, Harrods is now arguably the most famous department store in the UK and a landmark in its own right. Spread over seven floors, Harrods stocks practically everything, from pianos and fine jewellery to cigars. However, it is the extravagant display of exotic foodstuffs in the store's Food Hall that remains the heart of Harrods, with many shoppers enjoying a bite to eat in the hall's lavish surroundings. However, make sure you adhere to the store's dress code - otherwise you could find yourself being escorted swiftly to the door by security!

Wedged between Knightsbridge and Sloane Street (a veritable designer shopping mecca), Harvey Nichols offers a chic alternative to the hustle and bustle of Harrods. Harvey Nicks, as it's fashionably called, is a full merchandise department store, regularly visited by shopping enthusiasts, eager to enjoy the range of delicacies available in the store's food hall and to witness the crowd stopping window displays. These displays feature works by many artists and designers, and explore diverse themes such as architecture and environment. The showcasing of many top designer labels, including Paul Smith and Alexander McQueen, has also helped maintain Harvey Nichols' impressive reputation among shoppers.

Walking south down Sloane Street will lead shoppers onto some classic designer wear. While Sloane Street has long been a fashionable shopping street in its own right, its status has increased since the 90s and is now regarded by some as being on a par with Bond Street, which has been London's most exclusive shopping street for two centuries. Sloane Street houses the flagship branches for many of the world's most famous brands in fashion, from designers such as Christian Lacroix and Dior as well as newer labels including MaxMara and Prada. The nearby Narrow Beauchamp Place has more of the same, plus specialist collector's items such as antique maps and globes. For shoppers with a more exclusive taste in fashion, this area is the place to go.

For those with expensive tastes who aren't willing to break the bank to afford the latest designer fashions, a number of second-hand luxury outlets are also dotted around the Knightsbridge area. Pandora is a well known second-hand clothes agency situated on Cheval Place, opposite Harrods and deals almost exclusively in new designer fashions.

Knightsbridge offers a truly exclusive and luxurious shopping experience for any visitor to London. With a never-ending choice of designer fashions, scents and food, and with a lavish Knightsbridge hotel seemingly on every corner, this exclusive area of the capital is not be missed.

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