Other branches of Vivienne Westwood in London:
Mayfair Vogue.com biography of Vivienne WestwoodShop for Vivienne Westwood Anglomania at NET-A-PORTER.COM
Shop for Vivienne Westwood Red Label at NET-A-PORTER.COM
Vivienne Westwood reviews
I love and adore Vivienne Westwood and I have been buying her collections for 20+ years. Now I have to shop online or from departments, as all the staff in the Conduit Street store are rude, inexperienced and unhelpful. They must be under the impression that if you work in a designer boutique you are entitled to be rude. At the end of the day they are just sales assistants and do not own the business, so what is their snootiness and rudeness all about? Maybe they should spend more time trying to gain knowledge about the brand, rather than standing around bitching and giving customers blank looks.
by puffafish, 27 Apr 2008I agree totally with most of the comments here about the Conduit Street store. The clothes are largely fantastic (although now that the brand has grown so much, things like dog accessories seem waaay too 'Versace' for my tastes!), but the staff are vile in my experience. I went in there the other week to buy a number of rings (I ended up spending not far short of a grand!). The lack of effort or interest of the female American assistant who served me was so appalling that, coupled with her rudeness, it prompted me to complain to Head Office. In addition, when I went downstairs to menswear, the staff were far more interested in singing along to 'Jolene' that was blasting out around the store than in helping any of their customers.
If you have experience of Westwood's stores over the past 20+ years, you will know that the staff have always been, largely, notorious for their appalling 'customer service'.
The problem with Westwood is that, unlike many stores/designers, the entire collection is not housed under one roof. As such, whilst I much prefer to shop for my Westwood at Liberty, Selfridges, or at www.hervia.com, there are times when what you want can be bought at Conduit Street only, sadly.
My one-star rating is for the staff, but the clothes would get 4-5 stars.
I deal a lot with Vivienne Westwood as a collector. The staff in world's end are amazing, and the staff at head office are always more than helpful. I do agree the girls in Conduit Street, are very rude. But at the end of the day, I go home with amazing clothes and enjoy them forever, so no bother.
by defunktsoul, 11 Mar 2008My husband and I have been in a few times now (small kids... candy store!) and I'd say the staff are split as to how helpful and friendly they are (majority not at all). I've found the girls in general to be incredibly rude, although the girl who helped me last weekend brought out a selection of jumpers in various sizes and styles and was really helpful. The Japanese guy who's helped us with jewellery before is really lovely and one of the guys downstairs in menswear was fantastic even though my husband was 'only' buying a t-shirt. He seemed to understand that a lot of Vivienne admirers can't spend a lot of money... or not as much as we'd like to! As for the others, it's really offputting, but if that's how they get their kicks then good luck to 'em - a truly sad way to lead your life!
by fragile59, 10 Feb 2008I love, love, love Vivienne Westwood's clothes, but have to agree with the comments about the almost surreal unpleasantness of some of the staff. I went to the Conduit St branch already knowing pretty much what I wanted, and yet the assistant serving me did so with such reluctance that I was almost prepared to walk out. When she did bring me the dress I wanted, rolling her eyes at the imposition, she made a loud performance about it 'not fitting... you need a much bigger size...' that my friend was compelled to barge into the changing room to rescue me. It did fit. I bought it anyway. But from now on I'm getting my Vivienne Westwood from Question-Air or net-a-porter.
by hesterb (5 reviews), 22 Jan 2008Blimey! So many bad staff reviews here. I spent about half an hour in the shop with a guy in the menswear department, trying on jackets. I told him I had already reserved a V.W jacket in Liberty's. However, he was happy to assist so I could try possible alternatives. He couldn't have been more helpful. As was the jewellery chap upstairs. Maybe there is something wrong with the customers. Don't forget, V.W staff are just people on their feet, possibly for 10 hours per day!
by fullstorey, 06 Dec 2007I have been in several times and have spent tons of money, but still the staff are awful (Conduit Street branch).
The female staff are very bitchy and don't seem to have much fashion sense between them. I recommend asking the male staff for help, as the female staff seem to get jealous if you can actually buy the clothes and boots. You can always hear them bitching about other customers, which in what is meant to be a 'high end' fashion store is very uncouth. Their attitude is more suited to Topshop, Primark or some other chain store. I adore Westwood's clothes but I actually dread that shop.
Vivienne was known for being extremely elitist and still likes to be provocative in many ways. When she ran her Kings Road store, people were scared of her - so it all trickles down.
That being said, everyone is always very friendly to me. The shop has the most interesting clothes in London. If you want 'nice' shop assistants go to The Gap - where they really need you.
Viva la Avante Garde!
I went to all three of the Vivienne Westwood stores in one day, and the one in Conduit Street was the better shop as it had a pleasant atmosphere and a wider range of clothing. The staff were helpful, although you could hear them slagging off someone a mile away. But they were happy to help!
by AryBathory, 26 Oct 2007My wife and I love Vivienne Westwood stuff and would buy a lot more stuff if we could afford it. As far as the store and staff go, they were really pleasant to us; downstairs in the men's deptartment, the guy couldn't have been more helpful. I am surprised to read so many negative reviews, but maybe they weren't there on a good day. Will be interested to see what happens on my return... Still, an amazing store!
by chaosman, 17 Oct 2007Forget the Conduit St branch - the staff there are rude and unhelpful and can't be bothered! Try the other Westwood shop on Davies St, just around the corner. They only have the high-end line, jewellery, bags and shoes, but the staff are much more informed, extremely helpful and actually smile at people! They also really seem to know their stuff in there and can't do enough to help you. I had the worst shopping experience I've ever had at the Conduit St branch but one of the best shopping experiences at Davies St branch. It's odd how two branches of the same company can be so different.
by Laura-Anne (2 reviews), 14 Oct 2007I love Vivienne Westwood and if I ever get to meet her I will tell her how awful the staff are in her store. I had just been given vouchers for my birthday and went in to the store to by 2 pairs of shoes. The assistant said "Don't you know these aren't in the sale?", insinuating that I couldn't afford them. Then when I asked her to get me them in another size she said "Can you make up your mind which size you want, as I have to keep going out to the back?" Isn't that her job?? When I got to the counter to pay the woman ignored me and served 3 other people before me. She then pushed the shoes into a white plastic market-style carrier bag, after I'd spent over £500.
I left the shop feeling annoyed and upset - hardly what you expect on your birthday. I complained to the manger and I was given a free bottle of perfume. Great! But no apology from the shop assistant who still works there!! Oh well, at the end of the day she's only a shop assistant on minimum wage.
I am a big fan of Vivienne Westwood, but I have never met a ruder bunch of people than the staff who work there! How can they be representing her brand? The advice was limited and was actually insulting. I will never go there again to shop. Perhaps their goal is to minimise their 'work' by reducing customers...
by Alli, 05 Jul 2007The shop stocks both menswear and womenswear, although I feel menswear is stocked more extensively here. The accessories are very well stocked. However the staff are extremely rude and unfriendly. The management should really sort their staff out. Everyone I know complains about this and it really does put people off visiting the store. The shop on Davis street with Gold Label is much nicer, with a wider selection of womenswear.
by audrey "top london reviewer" (32 reviews), 11 Jun 2007Yes! You are all right. Who the hell do the staff think they are? I went into the store recently, ready to drop a few grand on day wear, suits for work and to find several dresses for weddings. However, the girl who 'served' me (by served I mean sighed and begrudgingly opened the dressing room door for me) was so downright cold that I left purposely with nothing. Am planning to go to V.W. in my home town of Manchester, where the staff are much friendlier and even... smile!
by rocky, 15 May 2007Never ever shop in the Conduit Street store, the staff really don't seem to care at all. I am a huge Vivienne Westwood fan but prefer to get my Westwood stuff from Liberty or online.
by sharpeys (2 reviews), 13 May 2007Went in last year to buy sunglasses. Staff were gossiping with each other and had to be asked for assistance. Was given the snooty once over by totally inefficient man, who then proceeded to tell me that the World's End shop sell sunglasses. They don't, but at least the staff there don't treat you like small pieces of poo. They also told me that Selfridges sell her sunglasses.They don't. So, poorly informed and downright rude.
The clothes actually aren't worth the experience of being treated like a second class citizen when I could have comfortably afforded most items in the shop - i just don't dress up to go shopping!
Clothes are absolutely amazing. Staff may be the rudest you can find - I don't really care though.
by Anonymous, 08 Jan 2007Vivienne Westwood is one of my fetish favourites in fashion. Sadly, it would seem they employ just about anybody. In London as well as in Paris the staff have been terribly rude - it would put you off going in, never mind purchasing!
by Nite, 30 Dec 2006Fun clothes, but the staff seem exasperated if you want help and are not very willing. It wasn't always this way here.
by eljay2001 "top london reviewer" (19 reviews), 26 Oct 2006Have we missed a great designer shop in London? Let us know.
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