Fame and Fortune
The famous Harrods motto 'Everything for Everybody Everywhere' has
more than lived up to its reputation over the years. Noel Coward was bought an
alligator for Christmas from the pet shop, while Ronald Reagan was on the
receiving end of a baby elephant named Gertie. Author A.A. Milne found the
original Winnie-the-Pooh for his son Christopher Robin here, and Alfred
Hitchcock had fresh herrings flown to him in Hollywood.
In the early 1900s, the store made yachts to order, ran its own funeral service
(embalming Sigmund Freud), sold aeroplanes and built houses.
In the 1930s, you could see one of the worlds first television
sets at Harrods or hire a fully equipped ambulance; complete with a nurse. You
could join the store's lending library during the 1940s and even have the
clocks in your home wound by the store's specialist winding service.
Changing Fortunes
Harrods has constantly evolved over the years to keep up with
trends. The 1920s saw luxury apartments on the second and third floors
converted to selling space.
While the following decade saw the south side of
the store rebuilt to provide a sleek vast area of men's tailoring requirements;
as well as a younger set gown department to cater for changing women
fashions.
But soon the war would change society; and Harrods with it. The
store's lavish tea dances hosted by Victor Sylvester, limousine hire and
debutante fashion for coming parties would be swept aside. Instead, the store
turned to the war effort, producing uniforms, parachutes and parts for Lancaster
bombers, and sections of the building were taken over by the Royal Navy.
There was not much money to be spent during the frugal post-war
years and Harrods suffered. Finally in 1959, the House of Fraser group acquired
the store, and began to upgrade what was seen as an old-fashioned institution.
The masterstroke was the opening of Way In; in 1967, a swinging young boutique
that brought Carnaby Street to Harrods. Followed by a spectacular black marble perfumery hall in 1971, and
a wonderous white marble cosmetics hall
the following year.