The release of the latest Bond movie is fast approaching, which will allow us to reignite our passion for luxurious clothes, fast cars and glorious gadgets. Here’s our guide to the Bond-esque places in London that you simply can’t miss. Martinis at the ready, let’s go!
Sharpen Your Image
There aren’t many scenes where Bond can be found without a suit. It’s normally a single breasted suit or a dinner suit – but, no matter what, it’s always a suit. If you want to look sharp, head over to Selfridges where you can buy a Tom Ford suit.
Tom was chosen to design all of Daniel Craig’s suits and has created what we now view as the modern Bond look. They aren’t cheap, but then again, Bond doesn’t do cheap.
Tom Ford at Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB
Pick Up Some Anti-Surveillance Essentials
Perhaps you’re in London to see the première, or perhaps you have ulterior motives, either way you only live twice so you may as well treat yourself to some super-spy gadgets.
Spymaster is a leader in its field and retail some of the most secretive technology to foreign governments, corporations, media agencies and, now, Bond-wannabes! Whether you need to hide your location, identity, or voice – this is the place to get the kit for the job.
Spymaster Flagship Store, 3 Portman Square, London, W1H 6LB
Buy a Piece of Bond
If you’ve got the world and it’s still not enough you should check out Christie’s “50 Years of Bond” auction. They’ll be auctioning off pieces of clothing, jewellery and other items that have featured in Bond movies over the last 50 years.
50 Years of Bond, Christie’s, South Kensington, 85 Old Brompton Road
from 11am on Saturday, 29 September until 5pm on Friday, 5 October 2012; admittance free.
Smell Like Bond. Celebrate Like Bond.
Take a stroll around Harrods in Knightsbridge and you’ll be greeted with giant posters of James Bond fragrance bottles. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the franchise the scent is said to be “Dangerously Sophisticated”. Harrods also have a limited edition bottle of 007 Bollinger – Roger Moore’s personal favourite, no doubt!
Harrods, 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL
Relax Like Bond
Now that you’ve got the gear and look as sharp as the man with the golden gun, it’s time to relax. Dukes Hotel’s Cocktail Bar was a favourite of Bond writer, Ian Fleming, and it is here that it is thought he came up with the catchphrase, “shaken, not stirred”.
Regarded as being home to the best martinis, there isn’t a better place to try out your new suit and Bond-persona.
DUKES Hotel, St James’s Place, London, SW1A 1NY
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