‘Chanel? South of the River?’ we hear you cry. But the rumours, we’re thrilled to report, are true. And what better situ for a French fashion and beauty house to settle than the elegant surrounds of Turbine Hall A at Battersea Power Station, the decommissioned Grade II-listed, coal-fired station at Nine Elms that reopened to rapturous applause for the first time in 40 years back in October last year.
Besides, for all its undeniable glitz, gloss and allure, could one ever reach Bond Street – stress and crumple-free, coffee and croissant in hand, newspaper tucked neatly under the other – by boat? The answer, of course, is no.
