Desert Island Stores: Hash Ladha, former chief executive of Jigsaw
In this latest instalment of our Desert Island Stores series, Glynn Davis chats to Hash Ladha, former chief executive of the Jigsaw fashion brand.
The store you remember from childhood?
It has to be Woolworths. I remember being under 10 and wishing that on the usual Saturday ‘visit into town’ my mum would take me there. It was usually the last store we would go to (disappointingly for me). Just the choice of toys, the busy hoards of people, and the obligatory pick ‘n’ mix was heaven (for an eight or nine year-old at least).
Most inspirational store to your career?
I was always inspired by stores which were more than just a store. So either a curation, an experience or a community. This is why when I was at Oasis we opened a flagship in Tottenham Court Road and it included a cafe, and the whole store was immersed in the brand. So many stores have provided inspiration for that love. Jigsaw on Duke Street back in the day, Collette in Paris, and Selfridges to name a few.
Most frequently used store?
I still love department stores and think that when they are invested in and do it well, they still provide everything in one place. So I still love Selfridges, which I use the most and I also love Harvey Nichols in Leeds.
The store you wished you’d created?
Ale-hop in Spain. They are just amazing stores, all consistent and just fantastic. They differentiate from other variety stores by investing in store design, clear layouts and feeling aspirational. I wish I had created that vision.
However, from an amazing globally inspiring store Commes des Garcons in Tokyo, Japan, back in the day was ground-breaking, and I believe Future Systems were the consultants. They really were driving innovation in the retail space all through the 2000s and 2010s.
Your overall favourite store?
Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly. I just love it in there. The product is amazing but I also love the way it’s laid out. Every floor has something to offer including the amazing wine bar on the lower ground floor and the beauty floor at the top. The food hall downstairs is a true experience, and I love how it is all presented.
The store you’d like to take to the desert island?
That’s hard. Let’s face it if there was a Fortnum & Mason on an island, I would have everything I need…so for sure it has to be that store.
