Happy birthday, Westfield!

It hardly feels like five minutes, let alone a whole 12 months, that Westfield London opened its shiny new doors in one of the biggest retail launches the capital has ever seen. But come 30 October, the development will be celebrating its first birthday in the only way it knows how - in style.

Many of the centre's brands have come up with exclusive one-off pieces, or 'fashion firsts', to celebrate the occasion.

Among the 280 brands involved are Warehouse, which has created a studded dress that will only be available to buy in its Westfield store, and Aussie accessories label Mimco, which is branching out into footwear with the special anniversary metallic Faro sandal. There will also be a strictly limited range of jewellery by Tateossian incorporating Crystallized - Swarovski Elements, while visitors to Radley London will be in with a chance to win a handbag of their choice every month for a year.

The UK may be in the midst of a recession but with 23 million people - and counting - through its doors Westfield has shrugged off any hardship. One of its most fêted signings, Louis Vuitton, is among the retailers feeling optimistic as the anniversary approaches.

"Since opening in May 2009, the Louis Vuitton store at Westfield London has been extremely successful, with results that have surpassed all expectations," says a spokesperson for LV. "The success should be attributed to a combination of factors: the overwhelming popularity of Westfield London and The Village, Europe's first high end luxury mall, the innovative design of the store and the shopping experience, and the location, which has enabled us to touch other new customers from the surrounding areas and outside London, as well as tourists."

Picture: Warehouse's exclusive Westfield London dress.

Westfield.com

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