Barring some pricy restaurants up the Kings Road, Chelsea’s hip neighborhood identity relies on Marko Matysik’s appointment only atelier (0207 9999 222) for customized ultra luxe chinchilla headrests, bungie chord bags, and leather corsets. Sloany girls pick up Marc Jacobs and Jimmy Choo at Mimi boutique up the street. But en route to the heart of Chelsea is the site of the a luxury explosion, extending the Sloane Street promenade nearly to Sloane Square with an inviting new Bottega Veneta (with a fab selection of less expensive small leather goods) and Chloe boutiques. And shedding the North Beach Leather image, Jitrois now have chic Knightsbrige women clad in nappa leather suits for spring. Georgina Goodman in Mayfair has Manolo Blahnik declaring her the new him, with her couture mules, and over at Harrods Hommebody‘s leisurewear is taking lunching ladies from exercising to socializing.

Photo: Marko Matysik’s corset