My Beat Regent Street
Journalist David Davis (ex Times) reports from the world's first shopping street, which dates back to the early 19th century. Originally conceived as a processional route for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, it was completed in 1826. Managed on behalf of the Queen by The Crown Estate Regent Street's 1.5 miles of frontage, is undergoing a £500 million transformation to maintain its status beyond the 21st century.Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Glasses, cosmetics and comic art
Went window shopping today and found myself attracted to three completely different types of shops.
Washin Optical which must have the largest stock of REAL designer glasses of anywhere in London is part of Japan’s oldest and largest group of opticians. The staff in Regent Street is largely Japanese who take a genuine pride in pointing out to everyone who comes into the store the company’s promise to provide quality products at a fair price and ensure customer satisfaction through excellent service. They also explain how the company's name was derived - Wa means Peace and Shin means Truth.
The most expensive glasses are gold plated and will set you back more than £1,000 while the cheapest is less than £100.
Five months ago Richard Branson’s Virgin Group opened its 23rd Virgin Cosmetic Shop (www.virgincosmetics.com) next door the virgin Megastore. “We’re still hoping Richard will pay us a visit – he hasn’t done so yet” Kate, a senior assistant told me.
Just a few doors away is The Reject China Shop where I was fascinated by a window display of comic art, the work of Guillermo Forchino, an Argentinian who now lives and works in Paris. Made in poly resins, the figures resemble the world of comic strip and cartoon characters.
Costing anywhere up to £750, each piece comes wrapped in the newspaper “The Forchino Times” along with Forchino’s autobiography and pictures of his collection
Washin Optical which must have the largest stock of REAL designer glasses of anywhere in London is part of Japan’s oldest and largest group of opticians. The staff in Regent Street is largely Japanese who take a genuine pride in pointing out to everyone who comes into the store the company’s promise to provide quality products at a fair price and ensure customer satisfaction through excellent service. They also explain how the company's name was derived - Wa means Peace and Shin means Truth.
The most expensive glasses are gold plated and will set you back more than £1,000 while the cheapest is less than £100.
Five months ago Richard Branson’s Virgin Group opened its 23rd Virgin Cosmetic Shop (www.virgincosmetics.com) next door the virgin Megastore. “We’re still hoping Richard will pay us a visit – he hasn’t done so yet” Kate, a senior assistant told me.
Just a few doors away is The Reject China Shop where I was fascinated by a window display of comic art, the work of Guillermo Forchino, an Argentinian who now lives and works in Paris. Made in poly resins, the figures resemble the world of comic strip and cartoon characters.
Costing anywhere up to £750, each piece comes wrapped in the newspaper “The Forchino Times” along with Forchino’s autobiography and pictures of his collection
posted by David & Beryl Davis # 4:18 PM 
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