The news that one of London’s most era-defining department stores has been bought out by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is utterly depressing. Harvey Nichols might have defined the 1990s fashion-scene which is being constantly mined for inspiration and cultural flex (see Tate Britain’s upcoming exhibition The 90s: Art and Fashion curated by Edward Enninful) but even that heft of nostalgia can’t save Princess Diana’s once beloved shopping destination.
For anyone growing up in that period it was a beacon of cool and aspiration. Much more fun that stuffy old Harrods down the road, Harvey Nicks (creatively led by Mary Portas who supercharged it until 1997) was the only place any self-respecting teen went to hunt down Joseph tops in the sale, moon over Stila lip gloss at the beauty counter and try to get served in the fifth-floor bar (ahem). Then of course there were Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone — figures of fun for some, iconic examples for others — who immortalised the store in Absolutely Fabulous, cementing its role as fashion’s most brilliant destination.
