Frenchification of the Kings Road area

A change has begun criping in at Kings Road in Chelsea, West London. British fashion has previously dominated the neighborhood but now an increasing number of chic French stores have begun dotting their way down the Kings Road. the new flavor is high end French boutques. From Petit Bateau, the ubiquitous fashion stop-off for classic cotton T-shirts, to the discreetly stylish Agnès B., to the pared-down women's clothing at Comptoir des Cotonniers, Paul & Joe and Zadig & Voltaire are all adding a French accent to the British shops, like Thomas Pink and Smythson of Bond Street, that share the same stretch of road. Paul, the chic French boulangerie chain and the French wine store Nicolas have also moved to the quartier and add to the Continental feel.