We are located under the Westway in the Portobello Green arcade. We are a 2 minute walk from Ladbroke Grove tube station on the Hammersmith and City Line.
Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm
Sunday 12 noon to 6pm.
Although we try to hold everything in stock there will be times when we are out of stock of a certain item so if you are desperate for something please telephone us at least 48 hours in advance so we can ensure we have it ready and waiting for you.
Stepping into the all-new (or should that be all-vintage?) and improved What Katie Did boutique is like travelling back to when specialist shops were just what they claimed to be special. It's no wonder that when designer Katie Halford was opening her flagship store in Portobello Green Arcade in October 2007, she consulted period books on shop design to find out what mid-century corsetoriums were really like. The answer is 'glamorous'! Although glamour was always in good supply, space was limited in the old shop. So, when the unit next door became available, there was only one thing to do. What Katie Did closed its doors for refitting on Valentine's Day, reopening two weeks later as a much bigger boutique, offering a truly unique, vintage lingerie shopping experience.
You won't find much in the way of boring, plain shop fittings in What Katie Did. Soft, champagne coloured walls, glittering chandeliers and velvet complement the frilly confections displayed in every corner. The main space is still bursting with beautiful lingerie and corsetry, with a 1920s shirt cabinet filled with goodies, a glass cabinet heaving with vintage jewellery and collectibles; and a display filled with stockings. The centre of the room features a decadent chaise longue and an antique dresser stocked with Besame makeup. But just so customers don't forget that there's a distinctly naughty side to What Katie Did, the back wall has been papered with pages from the 1950s fetish magazine Exotique, and hung with framed snippets from the press of which Katie is so rightfully proud.
The new shop is connected via a doorway, and contains a press office and a spacious boudoir area, with two velvet draped changing rooms, ample seating, reading material and even a coffee machine - plenty to keep husbands and boyfriends amused while their partner tries on everything in the shop. This area can now be booked in advance, and it's easy to picture brides-to-be bringing their dress and bridesmaids along for a coffee and corset fitting in perfect privacy. Crafty types will be delighted to hear that the popular Sugarlesque pastie and fascinator workshops will now take place in this luxurious new changing area on occasional Sundays, away from the busy main shop.
