Discover the Timeless Elegance of Harvey Nichols Designer Fashion Collections

History of Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols is a luxury fashion retailer that has been a staple on the British high street since 1831. The store was founded by Benjamin Harvey and James Nichols, and originally sold only linen and haberdashery. In 1835, the store relocated to Knightsbridge and began to sell a more diverse range of merchandise, including clothing, books, and homewares.

The store became well-known for its excellent customer service and stylish merchandise, and by the early twentieth century, it was considered one of the most prestigious stores in London. During the First World War, the store was requisitioned by the War Office and used as a military hospital. In the 1920s, the store underwent a major expansion and renovation, which included the addition of an escalator - one of the first in London.

The 1930s saw Harvey Nichols become even more fashionable, with celebrities such as Wallis Simpson and Mary Quant being regular customers. The store continued to be successful during the Second World War despite being located in an area that was heavily bombed during the Blitz. In 1949, Harvey Nichols was purchased by Debenhams, although it remained a separate entity with its own management team.

The store underwent another expansion in the 1980s, which included the addition of a restaurant called Fifth Floor Café (now known as Café Nicholson). In 1991, Harvey Nichols was floated on the London Stock Exchange as a public company. The following year, Selfridges purchased a 20%