Castelbajac finally arrives in London

Things are about to get a whole lot more colourful on Conduit Street as fashion legend Jean Charles de Castelbajac opens his first London flagship store with what will no doubt be a suitably vibrant launch party tonight.

"I like that it can be a gallery, store and performance space," says the designer of the two-storey shop, which comes complete with a chalked biography across the wall behind the Rubiks cube till and white walls adorned with de Castelbajac's cool and quirky illustrations. "We love to do customisation. Chalk, scotch tape, they all have the capacity and energy to transform things," he enthuses.

Stocking everything from his fashion collections, luggage, shoes, headwear and stationary, the store is its own JCC universe. "We need creativity, invention, generosity - that's what we need to give people," says the designer who is known for his iconic coat festooned with teddy bears. "It was a sweet, conceptual piece of art," he describes.

Designer Jean Charles de Castelbajac

By Vogue