Desert Island Stores: Beth Mayer of Knatchbull
In this latest Desert Island Stores interview, Glynn Davis chats to Beth Mayer, chief operating officer of Knatchbull.
The store you remember from childhood?
The Gap. I remember it originally as the best place to find Levi’s and over time it became notable for great timeless basics. When Sharon Stone wore a white tee shirt with a Vera Wang skirt at the 1996 Oscars, The Gap proved that luxury could emerge from the everyday.
Most inspirational store to your career?
Subscribe to TRB10 Corso Como, Milan, was the most formative retail space of my career. It wasn’t just a store; it was living inspiration. It was the first place that I saw a concept store that merged fashion, photography, art, and design.
The first time I stepped into its courtyard, I felt like I’d entered a world where every object had a point of view. This is where I discovered and fell in love with Margiela, Comme des Garçons, Alaïa, and Dries Van Noten. The upstairs bookshop and gallery were equally stimulating. I may not have always left with clothing, but I always left with a new book that I had never seen anywhere else. One of my most favourite exhibitions I saw there was by Peter Lindbergh celebrating the excellence of his career. Corso Como was the perfect mix of fashion and intellect.
Most frequently used store?
Selfridges, London, is always evolving and always relevant. I love the pop-up and corner stores; Fenty Beauty and Golden Goose are recent stand outs. I frequent it for the fashion, the cosmetics, handbags, shoes and sneakers, tech, and even movies. I always finish a trip by leaving through the food hall. It is impossible to just drop by for a quick stop.
The store you wished you’d created?
The original Barneys downtown on Seventh Avenue in New York is the store I wish I’d created. It captured everything I believe great retail should be – intimate, directional, and slightly irreverent.
It’s where I first fell in love with Prada, Rick Owens, and Marc Jacobs and the store’s own Barneys Private Label. The space was incredibly glamourous. The jewellery, the scent, and the visual merchandising. Even the tropical fish tanks added to the wonderful memories. It was an institution that will never be replicated.
Your overall favourite store?
Isetan in Tokyo is my all-time favourite store. The food hall alone is a masterclass in presentation, with rows of gourmet sushi, chocolates, fruits and gift boxes so beautifully wrapped that they feel like objects of art.
It is not just the food. Every floor reflects Japan’s extraordinary attention to detail and pride in excellence. You’ll find Japanese brands sitting seamlessly alongside global luxury labels, all curated with precision. Overall, the service is impeccable. It is a masterclass showcasing the magic that happens when every product and every interaction has been considered to perfection.
The store you’d like to take to the desert island?
If I were stranded on a desert island and could bring only one store, it would be Selfridges for sure. Not for survival, but for surprises and delights. You would never be bored.
