Bernard Of Esher

Esher has always had a bit of a gin and jags reputation, which is why I don’t really go out in my home town (can’t afford to, love). But for those who can afford the multi million pound homes — think the Chelsea football team and their birds, who all live around here — Bernard of Esher provides all the clothes that you will ever need for a Hello! or OK! photoshoot.
Bernard, (don’t call it Bernies, they don’t like it) has been serving Esher residents for 30 years now. Its premise is that it gets in collections by the big guns — now that is not that unusual, but back when this was considered the sticks, ladies that lunched had to go to Knightsbridge, darling, to get their summer and winter wardrobes. So in the beautifully laid out shop you have got collections by the likes of Diane Von Furstenburg, Luella, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Vivienne Westwood (Red Collection) and Stella McCartney. Plus a separate room for bags, shoes and accessories.
The stuff is gorgeous, no doubt about it; but I wouldn’t bother coming in here unless you have serious cash to spend. They don’t exactly roll out the red carpet if you look like you are only going to do a bit of window shopping. I swear one of the assistants thought I was a hobo/​thief last time I came in (the raggedy parka I was wearing probably didn’t help my cause). However, they do have a pretty comprehensive sale on about twice a year, and occasionally you can get the odd bargain.