The tall, willowy aristocrat cut an elegant classy outline against the backdrop of Royal Windsor Horse Show. Some just have it, you know. Beauty, class and style coupled with the quiet confidence of knowing you look good.

I was young, in my twenties, she was a lady in her 50s, an actual Lady too. An acquaintance of my Mother’s, who always turned heads when she arrived anywhere.

I believe, that if you admire someone, always ask them, how do they do it? So I summoned up the courage and asked the sophisticated beauty where did she find her exquisite elegant attire. I remember, she looked at me, faintly amused at my pluckiness. Then she leant forward and whispered in my ear the words that changed my world… ‘Pandora darling, it’s London’s best kept secret. Mention you know me’ Humbled, I remember thanking her profusely and blushing at my awkwardness.

Opening Pandora’s Box

Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge I found the huge shop on a corner of a charming part of old fashioned London. I tentatively walked into the Aladdin’s Cave that was Pandora and was immediately greeted by a cheery hello from Bridget, the owner. Looking up I saw hundreds of designer handbags hanging from the ceiling. Exhaling, I saw row upon row of rails and rails of luxurious designer clothes. It was indeed a find.

“I tentatively walked into the Aladdin’s Cave that was Pandora and was immediately greeted by a cheery hello from Bridget, the owner.”

I loved looking through the rails, taking my time, finding people’s luxury preloved castaways that may have lost their shine for someone but could be the sparkle for another.

Chanel, Gucci, Dior and Balmain, to name a few, shoulder to shoulder, the big heavyweights sitting next to each other, casually on a rack. Their prices had significantly fallen, they were a fraction of their original cost, but all in immaculate condition. This was designer heaven and I was entranced.

I remember the first piece I bought from Pandora was a Roland Mouret black coat with patent. It was exquisitely made and heavy, the cut was sublime and it made me feel a million dollars wearing it. It still firmly sits in my wardrobe today and I know will always keep its shine for me. Another truly stunning find was an emerald green Christian Lacroix knit two piece, made with such darling detail, I remember it seduced me on sight and I will never part with it.

“I believe, that if you admire someone, always ask them, how do they do it?”

Over the years I have always been loyal to Pandora, it introduced me to my love of designer clothes. You see the day I tried on the Roland Mouret coat was the day I fell in love with the feel of wearing quality. The cut, the fall, the shape, the quiet confidence that it gives you. I will always be thankful to the lady that shared her secret with me that day and I’m glad I summoned up courage to ask her the question. That lady was my first influencer.

Now let me influence you, to find that corner in Knightsbridge, in a part of old fashioned London. Its London’s best kept secret. Mention you know me. Use my code HLEON10 and please say hello to Bridget from me x