About Last Week: A Conversation with Virginia Bates

Last week, Summerill & Bishop celebrated the launch of the Sleeping Beauty S&B x John Derian collection with an intimate dinner at our Notting Hill store. It was one of those magical evenings where laughter filled the room, glasses clinked, and stories of old Clarendon Cross came to life again.

Who better to host and raise a glass than the inimitable Virginia Bates, a neighbour of Clarendon Cross, an icon of style, and someone we have long admired. Between courses, candlelight, and the chatter of dear friends, we sat down with Virginia to hear her reflections on the night, her beloved antique shop, and the golden era of shops that made this corner of London so special.

S&B: What made you want to open Virginia Antiques on Portland Road 45 years ago?
VB: "In 1971, I rented the empty shop for two weeks. The owner had just had a baby and was not ready to open an antique shop. I was an out-of-work actress at the time and figured as long as it was just two weeks, I could get rid of a load of 'stuff' I had in my parents’ recently sold house. I stayed for 43 years! My shop hours were 2 pm to 10 pm, so I had the mornings free to go to auditions. Julie’s restaurant was open, it was like a party every night, and sometimes I did not lock up until after midnight."

S&B: What did you love most about Clarendon Cross and its community?
VB: "We were a very tight community and looked out for each other. When I left, that was the hardest part, leaving my family."

Stephen Jones & Virginia Bates

S&B: How do you remember the Summerill & Bishop store, and do you have any favourite memories of Bernadette and June?
VB: "I loved the smell and wanted to live there. It was impossible to walk out empty-handed. My kitchen now is a result of their inspiration, with pieces I shall treasure forever. Sitting with June and Bernadette outside the shop, having lunch and a glass of wine, was the highlight of the day!"

Daisy Bates & Malcolm Venville

S&B: Finally, if you could go back to the 1990s and recreate last week’s dinner with your most glamorous customers, who would they be?
VB: "[It would be] John Galliano, Susie Bick, Sir Peter Blake and Chrissy, Barbra Streisand, Nicole Kidman, Rudolf Nureyev, Daphne Guinness, Diane Von Furstenberg, L’Wren Scott and Demi Moore."

A smiling Dr. Jose Crespo

Virginia’s reflections remind us of the enduring beauty of our community and the joy of celebration, as well as the pleasure of sharing good food, good wine, and good company. These are the values that Summerill & Bishop continues to champion today.

We are still smiling from that night. The laughter, the conversations, and the wonderful mix of old friends and new faces made it an evening to remember. It was a true reminder of what makes our world at Clarendon Cross so special.

If you would like to dress your table with details inspired by the evening, explore our edit below to create a table full of charm, colour, and magic.

Louisa Alan & Virginia Bates