Walking through the streets of London provides a glorious miscellany of history and design, past shops that have stood for centuries and those that popped up just last week. This book is a visual celebration of the capital’s most interesting stores: a vibrant compendium filled with original photography and fascinating write-ups. It explores the artistry behind each façade’s unique signage, delves into the sites’ past lives and includes personal stories of ingenuity, community and resilience from London’s shopkeepers. For shops are no longer just somewhere we buy things – you can do that online, these days – but places to connect with others, browse creative objects and gather inspiration.
‘Shops remain the lifeblood of our city; squeezed by the virtual world, yes, and sometimes at the mercy of an area’s changing fortunes, but ultimately an enduring, beautiful expression of a dynamic capital and its rich history.’
– Emma J Page, from the introduction
London Shopfronts is available at all good bookshops but you can order it direct from Hoxton Mini Press here.
Available now
Emma J Page is a journalist and editor who writes for publications including The Times Magazine, Architectural Digest and House & Garden.
emmajpage.com
Rachael Smith is a renowned interiors and portrait photographer; she regularly contributes to many of the UK’s leading newspaper supplements and luxury lifestyle magazines.
rachaelsmith.net
Hoxton Mini Press is a small indie publisher based in east London. They are dedicated to making collectable photography books that are accessible, affordable and playful.
hoxtonminipress.com
Press release (PDF)
© 2024 Rachael Smith Photography Ltd