Nous voilà, South Kensington! Our journey continues, and our fifth destination is the home to one of London’s biggest French communities: South Kensington, also known as ‘Little France’ - definitely a match made in heaven!
Our new store is just a two-minute walk from the South Ken station and, again, we have some lovely new neighbours, so we simply cannot wait to welcome you to this latest instalment of the BLANC story! It’s absolutely crazy - but very happy - times over here at BLANC. Not only is this our second store launching this year, but the fifth store does feel like a milestone. We hope that you will love this store just as much as our other ones, and we are both humbled and excited to get to share a mission we so deeply believe in with yet more people in London.
So, foodie, fashionista or adventurer? In South Kensington, you don’t have to choose. The area has a high density of museums and cultural landmarks as well as cosy cafés and high-end fashion stores. It literally has something for everyone! We took a stroll in our new neighbourhood to discover the area’s greatest gems - and of course, we wanted to share all our wonderful findings with you...
For the foodies
To fill your belly with healthy and nutritious foods is somewhat of the local restaurants’ speciality. Fresh salads and organic ingredients are staples for most of them, but we’ve also looked up some sweet treats and irresistible patisseries! So, let’s begin with breakfast? The menu at Tanya’s Café offers a range of wellness-inspired dishes, with organic ingredients all free from refined sugars - kind to your body and the environment. Our next-door neighbours are the South Kensington Farmer’s Market: every Saturday at 9 am it fills up with package-free fruits and veggies from Ted’s Veg, Perry Court Farm and Wild Country Organics - perfect to cook delicious meals while cutting your plastic consumption. And if you are an early bird and like the morning glow - get there within the opening hour and find fresh south coast fish or shellfish from Christchurch Fish. For the sweet tooth, we whole-heartedly recommend the Knot Churros - not only are these Spanish treats delicious, but the entire store is remarkably Instagram-friendly and has a great vibe to it.
For the fashionistas
For anyone who likes a Sunday on the town, browsing through the fashion trends, we have set your next shopping route! A five-minute walk from our new store, you’ll find Bamford, where all the clothes are created with ethical methods and modern design. With the same owner as organic grocery shop Daylesford, it is safe to say that sustainability is on the top of their priorities list - just like ours. In the nearby neighbourhood, you will also bump into high-end brands such as Stella McCartney and Acne Studios, providing you with timeless, classy pieces. Not to mention that our partners Joseph, Sandro and Maje have been in the area for years now, so we already feel at home!
For those with a tighter budget, there are more affordable alternatives that are just as appealing. As we are in the midst of #SecondHandSeptember, we thought we would elaborate on the subject to present your likely-to-be new favourite vintage store: The Exchange. They offer an ever-changing range of pre-loved designer clothes and shoes, coveted handbags and accessories.
For the adventuresome
Considering all the things South Kensington has to offer, this area will certainly awaken the adventurer in you as well. Escape on a sensational journey through time at the Natural History Museum or head over to the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is the world's largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design, with a selection of over 2.27 million objects. Or why not let your artistic side flourish at Saatchi Gallery or Cadogan Contemporary? Both are offering exciting exhibitions of British and international artists. And to end this South Ken tour with a touch of nature, we’ve found the perfect spot: Kensington Gardens. In London’s intense climate, now and again, it is always a good idea to find a spot where there are no traces of honking cars or overheated morning commutes. After a quiet walk in the park, we promise that you will feel restored and ready to take on yet another day in the big city!
We are beyond excited to get the chance to become an important part of the South Kensington community and to make sure that your clothes are taken care of naturally, and with lots and lots of love, for many years to come. If you have yet to discover our services, please do pop by our latest store and get your clothes cleaned in a way that is better for your clothes, your health and our planet - we are looking forward to seeing you there!
28 Bute St
South Kensington
SW7 3EX
