Since bursting onto the London fashion scene with his Central Saint Martins graduate collection in 2006, Scotsman Christopher Kane has ruled the London fashion week runways. So who better to give his guide to city? The talented designer - and MyDaily contributing editor - dishes on what to see and where to be seen..
Christopher outside Dalston Superstore. Photo: Christopher Kane
1. I love Dalston Superstore, I go there at least two or three times a week for lunch as it is about a three minute walk from my studio. The owner Dan is really lovely, all the staff are friendly and the food menu is simple but delicious. They always have great background music at just the right volume so you can still chat away.
Point me in the right direction: 117 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB London, www.superstore.co.uk
2. I love to go to lunch at Homa in Stoke Newington at least once every fortnight, it's a 15 minutes walk from my studio. The food is sourced locally and is organic, I love the salads there... they do a mean bloody mary too.
Point me in the right direction: 71-73 Stoke Newington Church Street London N16 0AS, www.homalondon.co.uk
3. I visit Shoreditch House at least once a week, whether it's to go to the gym or for dinner and drinks with friends. It is opened until three so its a great place to go if you foresee yourself out for a big night. I especially love to book the two bowling alleys on a Sunday afternoon with friends, we are all very competitive so it can become heated!
Point me in the right direction: Ebor Street, Shoreditch, London E1 6AW, www.shoreditchhouse.com
4. Spitalfields Market on a Thursday. This is the only day for me; it is the day where you can pick up some really special things and not be swamped with people traffic (Sundays are very touristy). I often pop down to have a browse through the stalls, on this day in particular I think the best collectors show, and there is weird and wonderful things from taxidermy to old records.
Point me in the right direction: www.visitspitalfields.com
5. My new obsession for eating out in Central London is Yauatcha... Sorry Busaba, you are still up there but Yauatcha is my new fave. Nothing like sitting down to a cool kiwi and lime ice tea after a succession of morning meetings. The food is traditional dim sum, and downstairs there is a tea room where you can have afternoon tea with a selection of French-style pastries that are beyond delicious. Weird combination I know. But it works. It gets busy at lunchtimes so best to book a table.
Point me in the right direction: 15 Broadwick Street, London W1F 0DL, www.yauatcha.com
6. If I have time to myself and want to get out and about in London to see what's going on the first thing I check out is the Barbican, its close to where I live in Hackney and there is always a wealth of things to see and do there. The last exhibition I saw there was Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion. It was so beautifully curated, it featured work by Rei Kawakubo, Yohji Yamamoto and Junya Watanabe.
Point me in the right direction: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS, www.barbican.org.uk
7. I really recommend going to the threatre to see War Horse, I was so impressed with the production and the mechanics of the horses. It cannot be missed!
Point me in the right direction: New London Theatre, Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW, www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
For more of the delightful Mr Kane, check our MyDaily's exclusive interview with Christopher here.