"Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008," National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Place, WC2H OHE; +44-207-306-0055

WESTWOOD'S OPUS
For those who missed Vivienne Westwood's live performance of her cultural manifesto at the Hay Festival of Literature in Wales last year, all is not lost. The text of the manifesto — a dialogue on the nature of art between characters including Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio and Aristotle — will be reprinted in her 198-page book, "Vivienne Westwood Opus" (Kraken Opus), which will be published this month. But there will be some light relief in the tome, too. Interspersed among the text are almost 100 Polaroid shots of celebrities such as Kate Moss, Helena Bonham Carter and Sarah Ferguson wearing Westwood's designs. During London Fashion Week, images from the book will be exhibited at the Scream Gallery in Mayfair, which is owned by another famous Londoner, Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood. The book will launch with a party at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens on Feb. 12.

Scream Gallery, 34 Bruton Street, W1J 6QX; +44-207-493-7388

COOLER COSMETICS
London-based makeup brand Jelly Pong Pong unveiled its first flagship in its home town in January. Located in Covent Garden — which is quickly becoming a beauty brand mecca — the space carries the line's collection of quirky cosmetics, including Trifle Spongy Lipstick, Soap Popsicles and Jelly Flush cheek stain.

Jelly Pong Pong, 9 Shorts Gardens; +44-845-224-8945

LONDON FOR LESS

Visiting London when the dollar is at a 26-year low against the pound can be tough on U.S. wallets. However, there are plenty of ways to avoid spending big bucks and still sample the city's hot spots.

The Hoxton Hotel: This red-brick hotel, which opened in 2006, is located at the epicenter of Shoreditch in the East End of London, where most of the city's young designers hold their shows. The chic, low-lit rooms are not skimpy on design, but the hotel cuts out extras like minibars and chocolates in the rooms to keep prices reasonable. Rooms run from $60 to $300 a night. Those who book early could secure one of the hotel's limited rooms for a mere $2 a night. The Hoxton Hotel, 81 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HU; +44-207-550-1000