Behind a modest shopfront on a central London street lies a treasure trove that has captivated royalty, prime ministers, and film stars for decades. This is not a museum, but a living piece of retail history dedicated entirely to one humble item: the button.
A Royal Haberdashery in the Heart of London
For more than half a century, Maureen Rose has been the guardian of Taylors Buttons at 22 Cleveland Street, W1T 4JB. The small, independent haberdashery is a mesmerising Aladdin's cave, its shelves stocked to the brim with thousands of buttons and buckles of every conceivable shape, size, and design. Each variety is meticulously stored in small brown boxes, the contents of which Maureen knows by heart.
"It fascinates a lot of people, people ask if it's a museum. It's basically a history of buttons. I'm the only one in London now that's independent," says Maureen, who runs the shop with her son, Marc. Her unique establishment has become a favourite with the Royal Family, most notably the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Crafting for the Crown and Silver Screen
Maureen's connection to the Crown was established through her long-standing work with the legendary couture houses Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies. For years, she crafted bespoke buttons for garments destined for Buckingham Palace.
"The girls used to come in the morning to get their orders and on the top of the order it would say HMQ - Her Majesty the Queen. So, that's how I knew who I was making it for," she reveals. This discreet service ensured that Queen Elizabeth frequently wore items adorned with buttons made by Maureen's skilled hands.
A Timeless Treasure on the Modern High Street
In an era of declining independent shops and homogenised high streets, Taylors Buttons stands as a resilient testament to craftsmanship and niche expertise. It is a destination for designers, costumiers, and those seeking a unique fastener that cannot be found on the internet or in large chain stores.
The shop's current opening hours are a reflection of its enduring, traditional pace: it is open only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11am to 3.30pm. This schedule adds to its allure as a special destination rather than a routine stop.
Maureen Rose's remarkable business is more than just a shop; it is a curated archive of sartorial detail and a direct link to a bygone era of British tailoring and royal service. Its survival for over 50 years, serving the most illustrious clients, makes it a true hidden gem in the heart of the West End.
