For some, collecting is more than an interest — it is an entanglement with memory, chance, and history. German theorist Walter Benjamin once described the collector’s passion as “a chaos of memories,” where objects become vessels of personal and cultural significance.
In London, a new wave of collectors in their twenties and thirties is shaping this passion into something tangible by opening shops that celebrate rare books, historic clothing, and unusual cultural artefacts. These venues are more than retail outlets; they are community spaces where visitors can explore, share knowledge, and immerse themselves in the joy of discovery.
Perfect Lives – Countercultural Print and Vinyl
6A Florence Rd, London SE14 6TW
Perfect Lives is a treasure trove of countercultural materials, from rare vinyl to obscure printed matter. Founded by friends Bruno Halper and Daniel Lichtenstein, the store grew out of years of collecting records, books, posters, and ephemera. Highlights include first editions of underground poetry, cultural graphics such as the Sex Pistols’ original press kit, and eclectic finds from house clearances. Visitors are welcome to play records on-site, making the space as much a listening hub as a shop. The store is relocating to a larger Hackney premises in November.
Best for: Rare books, vinyl, countercultural ephemera.
Opening times: Wed–Thu 1–7pm; Fri 2–7pm; Sat–Sun 11am–6pm.
19uj Militaria – Historic Clothing and Function-Wear
897 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NL
Run by 24-year-old Solomon Upton, 19uj focuses on historic tailoring and unusual functional garments such as diving suits, beekeeping outfits, and military wear. Upton, already respected by archivists and designers, has built a reputation for his knowledge of pre-1960s men’s tailoring. Costume designers for musicians including Drake and The 1975 have sourced pieces here. Expect garments that combine elegance with eccentricity — from rayon-lined 1930s suits to wartime helmets.
Best for: Vintage men’s suits (£250–£650), historic textiles.
Opening times: By appointment only.
Twos – Curated Vintage and Designer Wear
Floor 7, Regent Studios, 8 Andrews Road, London E8 4QN
Hidden seven floors above Regent’s Canal, Twos is both a shop and a cultural hub. Founded by Josh Cook, it offers archive designer pieces, vintage denim, and accessories alongside exhibitions and events. With roots in Tokyo’s hidden boutiques, the space encourages experimentation and bold style choices. Pieces range from 1950s militaria to early 1990s Prada, alongside contemporary brands such as Cecile Tulkens and CC-Steding.
Best for: Designer vintage and rare statement garments.
Opening times: Wed–Mon, 12–7pm.
Supporting Material – Rare Printed Works
Floor 7, Regent Studios, London E8 4QN & Online
Operating both online and within Twos, Supporting Material specialises in rare and visually striking books. Founded by Anna Howard, an artist and bookseller, the shop offers carefully chosen pieces that focus on unusual design and production methods. Collections are often thematic — from spiral-bound books to lightning-motif photographs — creating unexpected narratives for collectors.
Best for: Historic design, art, and photography books.
Opening times: Wed–Mon, 12–7pm.
Special Rider Books & Records – Eclectic Books and Zines
Stall 64, Shepherd’s Bush Market, London W12 8DF
Amidst the bustle of Shepherd’s Bush Market lies Special Rider, a book and record shop opened by George Wyndham in 2023. With a focus on accessibility, the shop blends affordable books, posters, and zines with a smattering of rarer finds such as first editions of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. The store has strong links to Egypt and Chile, sourcing materials from both countries, and regularly hosts events, from live DJ sets by Jarvis Cocker to author talks.
Best for: Affordable books, zines, and eclectic posters.
Opening times: Tue–Sat, 10:30am–6pm.
A Community of Collectors
These five shops embody the spirit of collecting as both personal passion and cultural preservation. Whether it’s playing obscure records in Deptford, trying on a 1930s suit in Peckham, or stumbling upon rare photobooks in Hackney, London’s collectors’ shops offer spaces where objects are more than commodities — they are stories waiting for their next chapter.
