The Glass Guide to Lamb’s Conduit Street, London – Maggie Owen

FRANCE is where the story started. Maggie Owen started her business in 2003, after being inspired by a Parisian jewellery designer, Philippe Ferrandis, to open her own shop in the heart of Lamb’s Conduit Street, Bloomsbury, London.

For the last 11 years, Maggie Owen has been selling costume jewellery, along with a carefully edited collections of scarves and other beautiful accessories, created by a range of very talented international designers thoughtfully selected by Maggie who, it has to be said has great taste and eye for striking and appealing design.

The stylish and inviting shop of wonders caters to her very loyal local customer base (and Maggie has also some rather hush-hush celebrity clients too) as well as those from all over the world. Glass caught up with Maggie to find out more about her and her shop.

 

Story picture Maggie Owen Conduit streetThe shop front of Maggie Owen London

Maggie Owen London A design available from Maggie Owen London

Tell us about your store and what it sells.
It is an accessories store which sells costume jewellery, scarves and textiles.

Describe your store in two words.
Independent and unique.

A book on sale at Maggie Owen London

Describe a typical or target customer.
We don’t have one, our customers age from late teens to late 70s. We also have women and men come in, buying for gifts or just looking around – so we don’t have a typical customer. It’s not that kind of shop.

How long have you been a resident store of Lamb’s Conduit Street.
We’ve been here for 11 years.

Another book in stock at Maggie Owen London

How has it changed while you’ve been here?
It’s got a bit grander. It has evolved for sure and more stores have come in, more traders. So it’s changed quite a bit in those 11 years.

What persuaded you to set up shop here?
I like the area. I stayed here because I really love it. I grew to really love it. The location has been really good for us.

A view from the interior of Maggie Owen London

Is there a sense of community between store owners?
Yes there definitely is and it’s very strong.

There’s a very distinct selection of shops that all fit together very well, do you think it’s a coincidence?
No, I think that people respond to the area, and similar-minded traders will respond to an area. And that’s what I believe. That’s what drew people here. It’s WC1 Central London but relatively undiscovered. There is also a terrific sense of community and a very healthy mix of traders.

A necklace on sale at Maggie Owen London

How has the 450th anniversary of the Rugby Estate [where the shop is located] been for you? What is it like to be based in an area with such interesting history?
I think it adds a certain gravitas to us being here, the fact that 450 years has just been celebrated it adds to the uniqueness. I can’t think of anywhere else in London that has had this happen. It’s been a very joyful occasion and it certainly focused our mind on what was happening in London 450 years ago.

by Jessie Graham

Maggie Owen 13 Rugby Street, London, WC1N 3QT

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11-6pm

+44 (0)20 7404 7070
+44 (0)7808 937 548
info@maggieowenlondon.com

 

 

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