gathered from coincidence

BBC London 10th December

2011-12-09T06:05:00.001-08:00

Come to the Circus!

Don't worry, I haven't been as organised as I led you (and myself) to believe the last time I was on air. But I'm not worried (well, I am, but I'm sure I have better things to be worried about), mostly because this week, from 14th-18th of December, 10am-8pm, there's a free Christmas shopping festival happening, and it's right up my street. It's in Redchurch Street, actually, where the beloved Caravan used to reside, and the east London area that's always being touted as The Place To Go.

There's a building there called the Tramshed, which used to be

the electricity generating station for the Shoreditch Tram system. The architecture in the main hall dates back to 1905, and this is where the fair is taking place. Expect new and emerging British labels selling homewares, taxidermy (shriek!), ceramics, fashion, jewellery, art and accessories.

There will be a Christmas bakery and cafe hosted by Lily Vanilli to stop you fainting, a Bloody Mary bar by Little Devil Spices to whet your whistle, floristry by a company called Rebel Rebel, a cider and mulled wine bar in case your whistle isn't quite whet enough, and food by Blanch and Shock - who sound exciting if a bit scary.

There's going to be something called The Fashion Trunk Show, too, where independent designers (including Susie Bubble, Katie Eary, Fred Butler and Atalanta Weller) will be selling their clothes and bric-a-brac. And a chance for charity - voluntary donations that will all go to Crisis's Christmas Dinner Campaign.

And there's roasted chestnuts and gift-wrapping. What more can I offer?

Have a look on www.circus11.com for all the details.

***

Our old friends at Shelf closed down their shop on Columbia Road last year, which was quite sad, but still have an online presence, and I'm happy to say are becoming tangible again for the few short (again, shriek) weekends we have before Christmas Day.

Jane and Katy tell me this:

"Shelf-wise, we have thoroughly enjoyed getting our weekends back because it was this lack of family time that was our main reason for stopping, so you could say we have re-energised ourselves, got back in touch with the creative areas we know best and are finding Shelf to be a much more exciting prospect as a project-based endeavour..." which sounds like a brilliant balance, and to prove it, they'll be showing off a host of eclectic products in 13a Boundary Street, in the studio of Bold Collective, opposite Albion restaurant.

I just found out about their blog (theothersideoftheshelf.blogspot.com), which is as treatsville as their shop used to be, and discovered the sort of things they'll be selling this weekend, as well as featuring products from the guest artist Jo Gordon, who makes luxury knits (direct quotes):

traditional Swedish mittens handknitted by their friend Bodil who lives in a tin hut by a lake in Mellurüd

Russian dolls

wind-up birds that sing

characterful felt glove puppets

cuddly lions from Sri Lanka

happy chopping boards

kaleidoscopes

wooden molecule building sets

unusual games and prints

children’s books

zany old stationery – jotters and labels and ribbons and printed tags and bags and tin badges and scraps and all manner of ephemera including hundred-year-old-butter-papers and fifty-year-old Italian lemonade labels and vintage orange wrappers and ladybird books and interesting packets of seeds

The last items on the list came from all over the world, and used to be secreted away in the basement of the Columbia Road shop, but they've decided to divide them all up into crazy little packs. Hooray!

They also asked me to say that last weekend was the first of the pop-up dates and it was amazing to be so well supported by so many familiar faces; customers who have been coming to the shop for over ten years now, and who have expressed their pleasure at being able to come to the temporary pop-up shop.

No surprise for us other customers at all.

***

Looking back over some of the independent shops / designers that we've talked about this year, it's nice to mention a couple of success stories. Elliot & Tate, the restorers of Danish furniture, who only set up business in September, are already being stocked in Liberty (4th floor), which gives you an idea of their quality. I'll keep an eye on them, and let you know what else they're up to, but have a look on www.elliottandtate.com for all the recent details.

They alerted me to the fact that they're stocked in London's first vintage department store, too.

It's called Blitz, and is to be found at 55-59 Hanbury Street, E1.

It used to be a Victorian warehouse, and is a huge space now packed with clothes, furniture, books, bikes, luggage, records... Have a look at blitzlondon.co.uk to see some of their latest stock.

***

Do you remember Toots a MacGinty, the unisex clothing line for children? We spoke to Kate, the designer who set it all up from her living room in south London, when it was just launching in July - and she's been doing fantastically since.

The clothes are flying off the shelves in the boutiques she's in (have a look at tootsamacginty.com for stockists, but she's all across London, from Carry Me Home in Kingly Court, to Izzy Jones boutique in Queens Park, and Semmalina Starbags in Ebury Street, SW1), and they'll be flying off the virtual rails online too - because leading up to (the last postage date for) Christmas, she's got a 30% sale on selected items.

***

Quick reminder not to forget the creative shop SCP,too, which is stocking a host of crafty products for children, or makey adults.Online at www.scp.co.uk, or in their twoshops – 135 Curtain Road or 87 Westbourne Grove

Nanoblocks

Nanoblocks are the smallest buildingblocks in the world – like lego but tiny. There are nine models at £8.50 each… likea French Bulldog complete with tiny bowl. £8.50.

Enamel bake set

In blue or red. £55

Fashion designer kit, with a mini woodenmannequin, or an outdoor explorers kit – a NZ company called Seedling has comeup with entertainment in a box (ages 4-10)

£36.

***

(On this note, have just discovered last posting dates by airmail to US was yesterday - oops - and to Europe is Monday. I think I'll send my US cards anyway, with a prayer. Last postal dates for parcels within the UK is Wednesday 14th, although you can get express delivery / special delivery from 21st to 23rd, if you're really last minute. )

***

Finally, but actually, most importantly, if you'd like one of your gifts this year to go to a vulnerable child who otherwise won't be having a very happy Christmas, you could buy something for Kids Company.

We've talked about them on the show before - a really vibrant helpful charity that has helped hundreds of vulnerable and deprived children in London. This year they have a wish list at John Lewis, which is a fantastic idea.

The details are on the Kids Company website (kidsco.org.uk) but it's very easy: just go to www.johnlewisgiftlist.com. Click on ‘buy a gift’ and enter the gift list number 484121. There's a whole range of things you can buy - t-shirts at £8, make up sets for £5, baby dolls for around £25, story books, tea sets...it's a very simple and devastatingly profound gesture. It's not the fault of the children that they're in the position they are in, and it's hard to know how to help sometimes - this isn't one of those times.

There's also a texting £5 donation option, or their Make a Christmas to Remember campaign on Facebook, which you can join and then choose which bit of the Christmas party you donate to.

This Christmas day they will have over 3500 children who wouldn't have had a Christmas, and over 200 volunteers who'll be changing that. Over Christmas as a whole, a further 3500 will be supported in the community with food and gift parcels and through their outreach programme. Children will enjoy hot food, individually wrapped presents, Santa’s Grotto, storytelling, fun and games. They'll be making hats and puppets, ca Christmas mural, playing football, enjoying the bouncy castle. or join in fun activities such as football and a bouncy castle! Kids Co have an Arts Team who, along with volunteers, will have created a winter wonderland.

BBC London 12th November

2011-11-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about Christmas, I really am. I'm thinking that this year, I won't embark upon elaborate stamped cards that I begin too late, which means I miss last post dates (ref: last year). I'm thinking that I won't start to enjoy the build up too late, so that I forget the actual event is happening really soon, and begin the shopping too late (ref: most years).

Which is why, in November, mid-November (late for my organised friend Tracy, but early for me) I'm reading Sarah Raven's Complete Christmas, currently £16.42, instead of £25, on Amazon.

(I interviewed Sarah Raven once for The Independent on Sunday, in her beautiful cutting garden. It was around this time of year, I bought a Christmas wreath in her shop, and wanted to buy everything else. So I took an online browse again, and still want to buy just about everything she sells. Have a look at sarahraven.com).

***

The V&A have a fantastic Christmas catalogue this year. I usually go to them for cards, when I'm not attempting ill-fated personal designs, and this year, I'm predicting that I'll be getting more than cards from the shop.

'Rainbow Embroidery' pack of 10 cards, £4.75

Here's a surprise in a cup - the hidden animal in this one is a bear, but the collection includes an owl and a fox. I like.

'Hidden Bear' teacup, £18

Giving a gift of a game at Christmas is a good idea I think - it's bound to be given a go on the day - and even better if the game looks beautiful sitting on a shelf for the rest of the year. This Deer Jar game is a sophisticated version of Jenga: pile as many antlers on the stag as you can...

£40

I'm a sucker for little bird ornaments, especially for decoration at Christmas, and THESE are ONLY £2.50 each. Which, as a fake-bird lover, is a bargain.

On that note, every year (to the despair of my husband), I buy bejewelled birds from Paperchase. Here they are, just waiting to be added to my growing collection:

8 birds for £14

Back to the V&A, and illustrator and typographic expert James Brown has contributed to the Cherry on the Cake: Paper collection - a screenprint of William Morris' wise words:

£65

Some lovely books too, including this newly illustrated version of Hans Christian Anderson's fairytales:

£19.99

***

Donna Wilson, the fabric and knitting impresario, has some great products. Not always a cheap option. But if you're buying for someone who you know you're going to end up spending a bit more on, then have a look. (And there are some bargains, if you keep reading). Some examples:

Fox scarf, 100% lambswool, £47 (also in orange)

Cushions are her big thing. As evidenced by:

Robin cushion. It's £70. So, just for looking. But very cute.

and:

Leaf motif cushion, £72. Also covetable.

Good news is that there's also an 'under £25' section in her online shop, which includes some very cute stuff. She's known for her 'creatures', and has some make your own kits, chiming nicely with this year's DIY atmosphere:

Make your own magpie, for only £16

And here's one of a series of china plates that you'd surely be happy to be gifted:

£21

***

It's also good to be able to post light things to overseas, and (along with the candle angel wings from Caravan (caravanstyle.com) which I'm always going on about) my favourite things in this category usually come from Candlestick Press. I mentioned them on the show when they set up a couple of years ago, and they're going strong. The idea is, instead of a card, which is (and I say this despite my love of the things)disposable, send a little pamphlet of poetry.

There are special pamphlets for Christmas - this one, The Twelve Poems of Christmas, is selected and introduced by Carol Ann Duffy. Really ideal for a post-able present, AND at £4.95, not the most expensive present either. All the pamphlets come with envelope, and a blank bookmark so you can write your own message inside.

It doesn't have to be Christmas themed, either. They have a whole collection, including:

Ten poems about puddings, intro by Nigel Slater

Ten poems about bicycles

Ten poems about London

Also, ten poems about dogs, about cats, mothers, twelve about birds...you get the picture. Have a look on Candlestick Press for the whole bookshelf. (candlestickpress.co.uk)

***

Knoll, the iconic (you know what that means - not budget) design brand are having their annual sample sale on Saturday 19th November. Get there early, and it could very well be worth a visit. (As if the bargains aren't enough to propel us there, they also promise Prosecco, pastries and live music. You probably recognise one of their most famous designs, going strong since 1929 - the Barcelona chair:

Well, a black version of this is going to be the star buy of the day - usually retailing at £4572, it's £899. If you're planning to get a design classic, this is probably the time to bite the bullet.

As well as that, they promise large reductions on ex-display and sample furniture, many of which are, they say, classic pieces of design history. They'll be selling Eero Saarinen's Tulip tables as well as more recent collections by designer Ross Lovegrove. Have a look online (knoll.com) for the products.

Brilliantly, if you want to order new furniture on the day, you'll get a 15% discount, too.

Like I say, worth a visit. That's 19th November, from 10am until 4pm (and it pays to be an early bird, in this case), at Knoll International which is 91 Goswell Road, Clerkenwell, EC1V 7EX.

***

Vintage Wonderland, the last one of the year, is happening this very weekend, on Sunday 13th. From 11am until 4.30pm, in Finsbury Town Hall (beloved of George Fornby), the event that Vogue Italia called 'the most exquisite vintage fashion fair' will be in full swing.

Don't miss it. For an entrance fee of £4, you'll get 50 traders from all across the UK selling the finest picks from their collections, spanning from the 1800s to the 1980s. Expect Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Biba, amongst others. There will be mens and womenswear, cards, baubles, jewellery, vintage film posters, perfume (hopefully not vintage), and shoes.

Have a look here (clerkenwellvintagefashionfair.co.uk) for all the details.

***

I like this independent toy shop (hard to find) which has a great collection of potential gifts. Hop Toy Shop (hoptoyshop.co.uk), from baby upwards, has a particularly good creative section, which I think is always fun for kiddiwinks around Christmas. Eg:

Containing everything you need to make three owls (and who wouldn't want to?), and at £9.95, the Owl House Family craft kit on my shopping list.

Or:

Stackable crayons (non-toxic) from Playon Crayon at £9.95 are another excellent gift, especially good for toddlers and chubster fingers (including mine).

Plus:

I defy you to find someone who wouldn't want a toadstool nightlight. I'm not even thinking about children here. (£32.95)

Ditto with this marvellous little thing, the Hexbug:

It's a robotic bug (choice of five shapes and sizes)that whizzes its way around, avoiding objects in its way. If you clap your hands or make a loud noise, it will veer away from you - it can hear! Amazing. £10.95, and again, ideal for a post-able present.

I could go on and on, but if I had a scooter or a bike, I might well consider adorning it with this practical bell:

This is the Crazy Stuff cat bell - there's also a bunny and a crocodile, and they're all £10.

I know I said it was a children's shop, but my over-enthusiasm probably means I never really progressed from the age of seven.

***

To quickly re-establish that I am actually very hip and happening, I'd like to point you in the direction of quite a new website called Near to Hear (neartohear.co.uk). Set up by Rich Martin who works in the industry, it's a brilliant guide to everything MUSIC that's happening in Brixton. If you want to go to a gig, or get someone a present of tickets to a gig (which I also like doing), have a look on this website first.

Rich has weekly gig listings, but what makes this site really interesting is that he also has a fantastic timeline of Brixton's musical history, interviews with current bands, and listening suggestions.

Rich genuinely lives in Brixton, so is LITERALLY near, and he LITERALLY hears. Definitely worth a perusal.

BBC London radio 15th October

2011-10-16T05:16:00.000-07:00

Postmodernism!

Grace Jones wearing a... maternity dress!

post·mod·ern·ism/pōstˈmädərˌnizəm/

Noun:

A late 20th-century style in the arts, architecture, and criticism that represents a departure from modernism.

(Just in case you were wondering)

The V&A shop always has lines reflecting its current exhibitions, and postmodernism is the name of the game until 15th January.

There's furniture, like this set of Carlton shelves designed by Ettore Sottsass for the Memphis design group in 1981. They were pretty rad in their time, pushing against the idea that conventional shapes and colours were the only options.

£750

...and a lot of jewellery, like this ring from a hand carved collection from Helveta Vyotlag, normally based in Brooklyn.

She's a sculptor too, and she takes "the sculpture out of the gallery and shrinks it down to the body". Bright colours, oversized angular geometric forms, and the simplicity of modern Danish jewellery are all in evidence.

This ring, like any coloured pieces in the collection (which includes a crazy yellow wedge ring - literally a wedge, and a green rhombus ring, yes, a literal rhombus), has been sculpted from poplar, and dyed.

Boulder ring, £50

...colourful headphones fit the bill too, it seems, which is good, since they're colourful and cool:

Spitfire Retro Headphones, £26

One of my favourites, due to love of using the postal service, are these 100 postcards:

...which at £14, is a bargain.

Have a look online (www.vandashop.com) at all the other products, but one last particular mention for music fans is an album, a collaboration with the V&A and EMI...a selection of post modern tunes. Really! From 1970 - 1990, artists featured include Blondie, David Bowie, Heaven 17, and Culture Club...

***

Cabinet of Curiosities

Ben Pentreath Ltd (www.benpentreath.com) is a shop in Bloomsbury (17 Rugby Street) who specialise in searching out beautiful particulars for the home. It's a small shop which sells linen, furniture, lights, vases, antoques, a menagerie of lovely things from all over the world.

For instance:

orange juice glasses, £8.50

Boat of Life letterpress print (using traditional wood and metal type), £25

Aardvark manifesto, letterpress, £25

and these plates by The John Derian Company, New York, which are created by artist John Derian from collages of antique fruit, flower and animal prints, ledgers that are hundreds of years old, and letters. They're re-printed and pieced together in layers under glass. Quite beautiful:

£38

£45

currently out of stock, sob, my favourite, but ask. £38

Well, from 19th October to the 5^th November, there will be a magical change, and the shop will suddenly be filled to the brim with 'curios' designed by Ben Pentreath and artist Bridie Hall. They tell me the Cabinet of Curiosities will be a marvel, and we should expect "handcrafted interior objects, which includes intaglio boxes, decorative decoupage, serious sets of geometric solids and country-house scented candles".

Good for - eek - Christmas presents. I'm informed by one very diary-conscious and organised friend that Christmas is only 10 weeks away, so now I feel justified in using the word. I have determined to start planning and doing things early this year, to avoid the scenario that happened last year - making lots of Christmas cards too late to send any. That's what's called big ambition, small sense of time.

***

I mentioned the Museum of Everything last time, when they were in Selfridges (they still are, until 25th October). But I failed to mention their own shop (shop.musevery.com), which was an oversight, to say the least.

It's a little shopping pond of pure quirk. Go there for things you don't necessarily need, but would like. Such as:

a card for any occasion, £3

a card for a specific general sort of sorry. Sad, but handy. £3

Tom Wagener print, £80

There are also clothes, homewares, more prints, crayons, notebooks. Almost everything.

***

Frieze Art Fair

I can hardly leave out Frieze (friezeartfair.com) - on until Sunday in Regent's Park, there are over 170 galleries, and thousands of pieces of art for sale (1,532 actually). If money isn't burning a hole in your pocket, it's just a good excuse to see a LOT of art. Don't miss the sculpture park outside either. For a virtual tour before you go, have a look here (virtual.friezeartfair.com)

Caravan shop

...a favourite haunt of mine on Redchurch Street, has moved, but it's a secret where to for now (as soon as I know, I'll tell you). In the meantime, you can still buy some of the lovely stock online (www.caravanstyle.com). Like this pineapple candle holder that you can put on a plain wall to make it stupendous:

£89

or these, my all time staples for post-able presents (they come wrapped in a bijou little package that fits in an envelope) - and, many times, they've become personal gifts to myself...

angel wings for candles. £5.50

Let us know when you have a new address, Caravan!

***

Shoreditch Vintage Fair

not as mean as it seems

For fans of clothes and accessories from bygone eras, today is your day. From 12-5pm at Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, there will be 50 stallholders selling all kinds of vintage goods from the 1940s to the 1980s. Enjoy!

***

Sample sale

Today! It's the London Designer Sale, happening in Hampstead Town Hall Centre, 213 Haverstock Hill. Until 6pm tonight you can get up to 80% off labels that include: Aquascutum, Belstaff, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coccinelle, Carniani, Chloe, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Moschino, Patrick Cox, Prada, Sergio Rossi, Thomas Pink, Tods, Vivienne Westwood & YSL…

BBC London 3rd September

2011-09-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

Starting off with something that was happening AS I SPOKE. The North London Vintage Market is happening today in Crouch End (St Mary's Parish Hall, Cranley Gardens, Park Road). It opened at 10am, and goes on until 4.30pm, and many of the stallholders from Spitalfields Antique and Vintage Market have decamped north for the day, so well worth a trip. There are 22 dealers, and an array of vintage happenings, from clothes to jewellery, to clocks and lamps and anything else you might fancy.

It's £1.50 to get in, and up the road at Ally Pally they've organised tea and cakes while you rest your weary feet and look out over London on this glorious day.

***

Skandium on Marylebone High Street is one of my main window shopping destinations, and I'm always watchful of what they stock. Apparently, behind the scenes, the owners Chrystina Schmidt and Magnus Englund have been collecting vintage rare Danish antiques, and are now offering them for sale in a new shop which is called Republic of Fritz Hansen. (FH is considered an iconic Danish design brand, and this is the first shop and showroom in Europe so it's quite a coup). They're also selling modern Danish accessories which are likely to be too tempting for window shoppers across London.

Crucial details:

Republic of Fritz Hansen
13 Margaret Street
London W1W 8RN
020 7436 1838

***

Next, Mary's Living and Giving shop in Primrose Hill opened last year. It's the third of it's kind (the others are in Westbourne Grove and Parsons Green), and it follows the same principles - high end vintage / second hand clothing, in excellent condition, and all the profit goes to Save the Children. It's a new brand of charity shop. And while by its very nature you're not going to find some sort of designer label there that the charity shop owners haven't heard of and charge you £1, you will be guaranteed that you don't have to sort through rubbish to get something good.

This shop is taking part in a treasure hunt which 14 shops all along Regents Park Road will be participating in from 10th to 18th September. It's a lovely idea - each shop will have a sculpture by the artist Nina Mankin which will hold clues and secret messages that will provide the keys to the esoteric questionnaire that treasure hunters have to fill out.

Every shop will have its own theme - so, for instance, the Mary Portas shop is all about dressmakers and tailors and material ...poignantly, maybe, because that shop used to house the materials of The artist's father. Which is why the treasure hunt is called "where I once played" and is all about memory and nostalgia.

Maps and questionnaires can be Collected in advance if you like - and have a look online for all the details and information about Nina Mankin's work.. www.ninamankin.co.uk or contact the Primrose Hill shop on: 020 7586 9966.

***

Then, from the west of the city straight to the east, and it's the E17 designers who always seem to be busy. This time theyre putting together an art trail on Sunday 11th September. It's the seventh year they've done this, and they promise all sorts of artistry and delights, from prints to cakes and handmade goods. 

It's at the Asian Centre near Walthamstow tube, costs £1 to get in (for which they promise a goodie bag btw) and all the details are on www.east17arttrail.co.uk

***

And even though I balk at the mention of anything festive in the last vestiges of summer, I have to point you to a potential Christmas present before it's too late. If you know the kind of person who'd appreciate a designer briefcase, then you need to go to www.secretsales.com, register, and shop the sale (before Sunday) of Lanvin accessories. That way, you'll be able to buy a leather Lanvin briefcase not for £390, as you would in a shop, but for £47. Which seems like a bargain, if you know the kind of person who'd appreciate it...

***

But back to what's actually happening today, on this Indian summer. Yesterday the Museum of Everything opened at Selfridges. The Museum of Everything is a London contemporary art collective which burst on to the scene in the Frieze Art Fair in 2009. This Exhibition #4 is for untrained and unexhibited artists, who have physical, mental, or developmental disabilities.

James Brett, the founder of the Museum of Everything says they're sometimes known as 'invisible artists' because they're often unrecognised by the art establishment, because they can't explain what the art they've created 'means'. Selfridges say it's going to be the biggest art project ever undertaken in the history of Selfridges. The whole shop is being taken over - the windows, the signs within the store, the Ultra Lounge, Selfridges exhibition space... the 200 works make up the largest presentation of art by unintentional artists in the UK.

And because it's Selfridges, there is a collaboration with a famous name too; the Shop of Everything has got together with Clements Ribeiro to launch a fashion collection - you'll find that in the Wonder Room's Concept Store, along with products from Everything Ltd, a collection of bespoke delights with prints from the exhibited art works.

Open until October 25th; have a look at www.selfridges.com for all the information and lots of pictures.

***

Some advance notice - next Saturday, there's an Affordable Vintage Fair happening in York Hall (on Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green), that one that's usually famous for boxing. The word 'affordable' is always appealing, isn't it? Even if it turns out not to be the type of affordable you were hoping for.

 If you're an early bird, go at 10.30am, and pay £3 to get in before the crowds. If you like a lie-in, go after 11, pay £2, and find a bargain somewhere amongst the stalls from 50 traders around the country. They'll be selling vintage clothing and homewares from the 1920s all the way to the 1980s, and promise designer vintage, too, from YSL, Ossie Clarke, and Biba.

Have a look at www.vintagefair.co.uk for more info.

***

And, finally, this month's bargains...

The London Designer Sale is happening on 9th (1pm - 9pm) and 10th (10am - 7pm) of September, in the Music Rooms, 26 South Molton Lane. You can expect up to 80% off these brands: Aquascutum, Belstaff, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coccinelle, Carniani, Chloe, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ed Hardy, Ferragamo, Fendi, Francesco Biasia, Gianfranco Ferre, Giorgio Fedon, Giuseppe Zanotti, Gucci, Harry‘s of London, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Moschino, Patrick Cox, Prada, Sergio Rossi, Thomas Pink, Tods, Vivienne Westwood & YSL

The Sample Hunters Sale will be happening at the same time, from 8th - 11th of September at the Old Truman Brewery (visit www.samplehunters.co.uk for opening times). They promise up to 90% off a plethora of labels, including these people - you may have heard of them: Burberry, Stone Island, Belstaff, Luella, DKNY Jeans, Hackett, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Juicy Couture, French Connection, Twenty8twelve, Joseph, Thomas Pink, See by Chloe, Vivienne Westwood, Duchamp, Oliver Spencer, Aquascutum, Gieves and Hawkes and Missoni.

BBC London 9th July

2011-07-09T03:02:00.000-07:00

Hello people! This is a very practical blog today. I'll fill in the whimsy later - you know, all my thoughts and bits and pieces, but for now, here are all the raw facts. Which, I feel, is probably what you're really after anyway.

First off, I interviewed Kate Pietrasik who is responsible for the fantastic unisex children's clothing company Tootsa MacGinty, just launched.

Then to Elliot & Tate, another new company. It's original Danish furniture this time, carefully and expertly resorted by the two craftsmen who set it up. Oh, deviating from raw facts, can't help it. Here's their website.

Next, Bookish England, by people who love all things bookish and book-related. A great collection of all things literary (this includes confetti hearts made from Mills & Boon pages, so don't think you have to have the intellect of Tolstoy to shop here; it's fun). Website is here.

Then the Chelsea Theatre Boot Sale. No car needed. Have a look on their site for all the details.

And the Leytonstone Festival was hot on the heels. Click here for everything that's going on; I mentioned a couple of fun things like the Alfred Hitchcock Cycle Ride (info here) and our old friends the E17 Designers, who are having a market on July 16th. As part of it, there's an Art Trail (all happenings revealed here) until 17th July if you want to find out about local artists, including Jay Hudson who is LITERALLY knitting a year...

Also, the existence of Secret Sales website. Just a case of signing up, and getting bargains...

Sample sales next.

Designer Sales UK Summer Sale. Today, Chelsea Town Hall. Up to 90% off designer labels.

Sample Hunters sale. From 21st - 24th July. Also to 90% off designers; £1 entry, Truman Brewery.

BBC London radio 11th June

2011-06-11T03:01:00.000-07:00

So, we started off with an anarchic trip to Dazed and Refused - the rebellious off-shoot of an exhibition, containing only artists who were refused (better word than 'rejected') from this year's BP Portrait Award.

It's the brainchild of 'Fish brothers' Laurence and Jessett, both former refusees...now they're refusniks. With a mission. Called 'Salon des Refuses', there will be about 50 artists exhibiting.

The website has already had more than 200,000 hits:they want it to be a new opportunity for creativity to be seen, rather than an angry old reaction to being a bad loser.

Just like the BP Portrait Award, the exhibition opens on 16th June (for a private view), running til the 10th July, and can be found at Hurwendeki, 299 Railway Arches, Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9HA.

***

Next! An alternative way of describing the innovation known as Pop-Up-Shop, which is a good idea, but I've said the name so many times, it's starting to wear my pea brain down a bit.

Flash shop. So much better. For now.

It's a gathering of east London fashion designers - a host of independent labels will be selling their wares on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th June. Womenswear, menswear and childrenswear from: Keiko Cato, Shu Shu, Hilda Rocket, Room 39, Girl with Beads, Name Studio, The Bees Knees, Queenie and Ted, SABEL and The Illustrated Ape...

Happening at the Old Glass Factory, 15 Hoe Street, London E17 4SD. (If you've gone to any of the E17 designers' photography exhibitions, you may have been there already - it's an old glass factory, really, from Victorian times, transformed into a very cool space).

It's a bit of a party on the Friday night, they say, with a DJ (Ol’ Monkey Hips), and cocktails. If you get there early, you could be one of the first 50 through the door - which will earn you a free “extraordinaire” classic French macaroon from French Made, another independent company there, who'll be selling yummy confectionary, all packaged nicely. (Also: vintage makeovers, vintage hair specialist, portraiture photographer - if you want to look like you're not of this age, Claire Cross will transform you into a creature from the Twenties to the Sixties, click here and book an appointment, from £30).

***

Something else you should POP down to - it's called SHO-OP, and Andrew P Childs, who is one of the organisers who told me about it, blessedly called it a 'short term' art gallery which I enjoyed. (Thank you APC for adding another alternative to my shopping lexicon). It opened on 28th May, and is running for 3 to 4 weeks - they haven't decided yet, that's just how free wheeling they all are down there.

It's at 19 Swaines Lane, and the shop is vacant at the moment, so the owners have let local artists have the run of it. Expect video installations, oil paintings, chewing gum miniatures, giant drawings, tiny films, glass sculptures, cake art, and some very special photography. They promise a 'happening' each weekend.

It just feels symptomatic of a creative spirit that is prevalent at the moment - every week, there's something going on that isn't driven by big business or some sort of Big Society banner-wave. Even though we need to find a new language for this Pop Up thing, it's indicative of something very special that's happening. People really are flourishing creatively, and it feels important to support it.

***

Next, a new British interiors brand called House of Hackney which is quite a cool and interesting business. It's run by a husband and wife team Frieda and Javvy who live in Dalston, and the team of creatives they use are predominately from the world of fashion, which makes some sense when you think that Frieda was formerly a buyer for Topshop. It's fair to say that they have their finger on the pulse, and their products - wallpaper, tableware, ben linen - are a good take on traditional homeware.

The ethos behind the design is important too, of course, and that's one of the attractive things about this company. Working with traditional British manufacturers is their starting point - so the fine bone china they've designed is made in Stoke On Trent, the wallpaper is produced in Loughborough, the furniture pieces are traditionally made in Scotland, its eiderdowns are made in the last eiderdown factory in the England (which is in Clacton on Sea, in Essex)...

Have a look online to buy; let me know what you think.

***

Since we're an upmarket show, I talked about upmarket ties next. Yes, very me. But probably a bit more Robert.

E. Marinella is, they tell me, the worldwide renowned Italian brand of first-class handmade ties and symbol of traditional tailoring. Is this the case? Tie-fans, tell me. It just opened its first boutique in London this month; at 54 Maddox Street, Mayfair.

The brand was founded in 1914 by Don Eugenio Marinella, a passionate importer of British clothing articles and textiles that soon become fashionable among Naples’ upper-class, and it's a nice circularity that almost a hundred years later, his grandson Maurizio is opening the shop here.

Apparently "crowned heads, statesmen and public figures" are admirers of these ties, which is why I thought Robert would fit right in.

***

Quick note: Marks and Spencer are currently having a 20% off sale on children's school clothes. If you are the type to think ahead.

***

And then! The Art Car Boot Fair, which rolls around with frightening regularity, even though I'm sure it's only twice a year.

They promise that this year, they really have raised their game, which you'd think would be hard, until you see the line up.

There will be over 60 'car boots' there, with luminaries manning their pitches, that include Sir Peter Blake, Gavin Turk, Bob and Roberta Smith, Pam Hogg, the Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club and Billy Childish for starters.

There are prints from Damien Hirst and The Chapman Brothers.

The much lauded taxidermist Polly Morgan will be presenting a one off edition for the day.

There will be limited edition notepaper from Tracey Emin.

The Art Improvement Clinic lets you "bring along any old art" and a crack team led by Oliver Guy Watkins will "improve it for a fiver". That's called upcycling now, BTW.

Eat Ox Heart buns from St John Bread & Wine and drink cider from The Southampton Arms.

That all sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Sunday 19th June. All the information on the website.

***

And then, many a sale! It's the summer, or at least it was for two minutes at the end of May. So this is what you can expect:

Liberty summer sale from 15th June (unless you're a loyalty card holder, in which case you should be shopping, because you get a preview from now until the plebs are allowed). There will be up to 60% off. Here's the website.

The beloved window-shop of mine, SCP, are starting their summer sale on 25th June, and it will continue until 31st July. There will up to 50% off discontinued lines and ex-display items, 20% off all new SCP upholstery, furniture and rug orders, 15% off all other upholstery and furniture orders, and 10% off all lighting and rugs. There are shops in Shoreditch and Notting Hill, and you can buy online too. Look on the website for specifics www.scp.co.uk

***

And then sample sales - so many around town at the moment. Here are the ones that look alluring:

Hermes sale. Gulp. Started yesterday, and continues today (Saturday 11th June). It's at The Music Room on South Molton Lane, and is on until 6pm. It's free to get in, and the goods are promised at up to 60% off. No leather goods, but plenty of clothes and accessories.

Junior Style sale. I don't like the name, because I don't really think juniors or their parents should worry about very small people looking 'stylish', but there are clothes in this sale that will be brilliantly appropriate, and long-lasting. And will look nice, yes, they will. But for much less than that would usually cost (and hopefully, at high street prices, therefore justifiable). Brands like Kenzo, Petit Bateau and Ralph Lauren will be there, with up to 70% off. £1 entry, and the organisers have been kind enough to organise children's entertainment and a play area! Way to go.

Finishes today at 4pm. Go to Alphaville 2, 14 Shepherdess Walk, N1 7LB (Old Street is the nearest tube). Good place to get presents for newborns...

All the information can be found here.

***

And, finally, a bit more oily but no less salubrious, it's the Bicycle Jumble, which is arriving at Muswell Hill as part of a jaunt around the country. If you're a cyclist, and you live nearby, because it's on as we speak, this is for you: go to the church of St Mary with St George, which is on the corner of Park Road and Cranley Gardens (postcode: N10 3AH, closest tube: Highgate), and there you'll find a dream. As well as contemporary bikes and accessories and bits and pieces of bikery, you'll find vintage things and all kinds of cycling fripperies.

You'll also find bacon butties and cakes, if that spurs you on.

It started at 9am, it's on until 1pm, and it's £1 to get in.

BBC London radio show 14th May

2011-05-14T03:04:00.000-07:00

Hello! The blog is without pictures at the moment, or links (I've just written all the websites in, in an old fashioned visible way) because something went wrong with Blogger yesterday. I'll re-jig later to make it look nicer, but all the info is there!

It all began this week with a trip to Clerkenwell, to take part in Clerkenwell Design Week (http://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/ ).  It doesn’t start until 24th May, but there’s a lot to think about seeing over the ‘week’ (which is actually three days, as it ends on 26th, but poetic license is favoured on the Robert Elms show). 

The timetable (http://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/whats-on/time-table/) is mind-boggling, including local architects SaY (on 45 Mitchell Street, EC1 http://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/say/ ) opening up their collaborative design practice studio for unknowings like me to wander through, design talks at lunchtimes by lumineries in the world of design (have a look at the ‘Inspiring Design lunch and talks’ by Moroso (?)section online). There will be talks by trend forecasters about what people will be buying next year, as well as lectures by physiotherapists about the best work environments for happiness. I like the look of the Vitra workshop where you can learn to ‘upcycle’. There are exhibitions as well of course – you get the chance to visit the House of Dentention, a Victorian prison on Sans Walk in Clerkenwell, which will be open to the public throughout and also the Farmiloe Building on St John Street, which used to house a Victorian lead and glass merchants. Both destinations will be showcasing new design talent – but it’s really interesting to think historically, too.
                                                                        ***

Next: a bike tour. I’ve spoken before about the super cool bike company Tokyobike (http://www.tokyobike.co.uk/ ): it’s a small independent bike maker in an old Tokyo suburb called Yanaka. And somehow, now they are super dooper cool, and on the wish lists of cyclists and people who like nice design and don’t mind a bit of cycling with it. 

The founder Ichiro Kanai has a well developed philosophy that ensures every model is lightweight (about 10 KG), simple, and carries a lot of style. And – important – isn’t expensive. They’re made of lightweight cromoly steel which they say ensures strength and durability, and the compact upright handlebars are designed for a comfortable ride and vision. The 650mm diameter wheels are good for speeding up and whizzing around tight corners, which makes them a very urban choice.

And – this summer,  there’s going to be a shop in London. It opens on Friday 27th May on 54 Rivington Street, EC2A 3QN (020-7608 0206), but there’s a launch party on Thursday 26th May at 6pm, where you can preview the bikes, have a drink and enter a raffle to win one (all money goes to the Japanese Tsunami appeal).

The store stays open until 31st July, Wednesday- Sunday.  (11am-7pm Weds- Fri; 11am-5pm Sunday). 

Twitter: @tokyobikeUK

***

And then. Cheery news: a chocolate shop on Camden Passage that I like to get hot chocolate from in the winter time is doing so well, it’s coming to Soho. It’s Paul A Young – who makes hand made chocolates, ice cream, brownies. He’s done really well, considering he opened in Islington just in 2006, and since then has opened another in Threadneedle Street, won lots of awards in the chocolate world – including a Gourmand Award for the Best Chocolate Book in the World, no less.

All fresh natural ingredients, no additives or preservatives. And this store has a big kitchen downstairs for tastings: if you call in, Paul will probably be there, experimenting away.

Have a look at http://www.paulayoung.co.uk/ or follow on Twitter at @paul_a_young

· <http://www.paulayoung.co.uk/> Twitter @paul_a_young

  ***

Then the mood for a bargain overcame us, and we went to British Designers Sale, in Chelsea Town Hall on King’s Road (http://www.designersales.co.uk/ ). It’s the second and last day today - open until 4pm. I didn’t say this, but if you quote Time Out at the door, there’s free entry.

                                    ***

I love this: Buy My Wardrobe is back. This is where more than 20 stylish women (who call themselves Wardrobe Mistresses) with seriously designer wardrobes, sell them off at seriously reduced prices – some up to 70% cheaper. (Have a look on http://www.buymywardrobe.com/ ). It’s happening today, from 2pm – 4pm, at the Supperclub, 12 Aklam Road, W10, (just off the Portobello Road) and there will be over 100 pre-loved (dubious phrase) handbags, a shoe lounge with over 100 pairs of hardly worn designer shoes, and style consultants (Nicky Hambleton Jones agency) .

You can buy a ticket on the door from 2pm, for £5 - but if you want to get there first to get the choice of the best, you can buy a VIP ticket which includes champagne for £20, which gets you in at noon, or £5 in advance for entry at 1pm.

                                                      ***

For scavenging in a treasure trove, the only conceivable destination next was the Kettle’s Yard Found Sale, which is happening in the Brompton Garage, SW3 2BA (have a look at http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/ for more details), which is South Kensington tube. It starts on Tuesday 17th, and runs until Saturday 22nd, and promises arts, furniture, crafts, and all manner of things lost and found, costing from £1 up to £2000. 

                                                      ***

For a vintage dress, the place we stopped by was ‘Frock Me!’, the vintage fashion fair and tea room which counts among its attendees Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss. That’s happening tomorrow, from 11am-5.30pm, in Chelsea Town Hall, on the King’s Road, again. It costs £4, unless you’re a student with ID, and then it’s £2. Look at http://www.frockmevintagefashion.com/ )

                        ***

Then to a Nicole Fahri sample sale, from 18th May until 21st May (Wed- Fri 11am – 8pm, Sat 10am -4pm) It’s in 16 Fouberts Place, W1 (020-7036 7500). You’ll get up to 60% off shoes, clothes and accessories (men and women). 

For people who like Belstaff, there’s a sample sale in The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, on 20th May (1pm-6pm) and 21st May (9am-6pm). Again, up to 60% off coats, boots, shirts etc.
For brides! London Bridal Designer Sale on Sat 4th, (10am to 5pm) and Sunday and 5th June at the Lancaster Hotel, Lancaster Terrace, W2 2TY
Up to 70% off designer wedding dresses. Over 1000 available from leading designers including Amanda Wakeley, Amy Michelson, Anna Christina, Annabel B, Atelier Aimée, Caroline Castigliano, Christiana Couture, Galit Levi, Lyn Ashworth, Max Chaoul, Oleg Cassini Icon, Sharon Hoey, Toi Creazioni…

The tickets are FREE, but, you must log onto http://www.bridaldesignersale.com/  to register your details and to select a time slot. When you get there, consultants will measure you so you know the size to look for; fashion show samples, end of line, one-off prototypes, shop samples.

Then, a trip around Liberty, home of window shopping (for me), and purveyor of wondrous goods.  Every year, the wonderfully named Patch Rogers takes over a section of the shop to exhibit, and sell, a collection of unique antiques that are worth going to visit, even if not to buy. Although, of course, do buy if you can - it's not an easy time for independent sellers. Everything will be original Arts and Crafts Design from 1850 - 1950

It runs from 19th May until 19th June: an online catalogue will appear here on 18th May, but in a sneak preview, to give you a sense of what will be on offer, here's a few of the rarities:

An extremely rare first edition of the celebrated 'Roots of the Mountains' written by William Morris and covered in original Morris fabric

Aesthetic Movement rosewood cabinet with Japanese lacquered panels  by Howard & Sons

Aesthetic Movement large rosewood open bookcase by Collinson & Lock attributed to Godwin

Arts & Crafts bookcase with ebony and pewter peacock inlaid decoration

Morris & Co upholstered settee

Christopher Dresser Linthorpe vase

Birmingham Guild lamps

Arts & Crafts embroidered panels

Liberty settle with Voysey designed fabric panel

Shapland and Petter cabinet with copper panel

Rowley Gallery panels 

A question

2011-04-17T06:54:00.000-07:00

I don't have all the facts at my fingertips, but I intend to, so think of this as an introduction to a very big question.

Are the austerity measures being implemented by the current government taking the next generation into account?

What are the long-term consequences of children's services being cut back? Essentially: what happens when the children who need help, but don't get it, grow up?

I would like to hear from anyone who works in these sectors; I'm on a fact-finding mission and need your help - personal stories, statistics, and information about proposed cuts, all welcome. (Anonymity assured)

BBC London radio show 16th April

2011-04-16T02:58:00.000-07:00

Good morning! That was fun. (Despite getting my photo taken for Robert's FB page, and also my blog font seemingly supersize for no good reason.)

Primrose Hill Vintage Fashion Fair this Sunday 17th April, 11am-5pm. It's at Cecil Sharp House (2 Regents Park road,NW1 7AY), and you'll find clothes, accessories and textiles. They promise vintage pieces from designers like Burberry. What's interesting is that there will be a stall with vintage children's clothes from the Sixties and Seventies, mostly unworn stock. More information here, but if you wear some particularly outstanding vintage clothes to attend, you'll win a prize. £3 to get in.

***

Designer Sales UK has another event this weekend in Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King's Road. Today you'll find Mary Quant, Biba, Vivienne Westwood, Prada, and other delectable names at up to 90% off. All the information here. It costs £2, will be going until 7pm, and prices start at £5.

***

Sexism alert! A menswear-only sale today and tomorrow (Sunday 17th April), with up to 70% off designer names like Moschino and Karl Lagerfeld. Go (ONLY IF YOU'RE A MAN!) to 5-6 Islington Studios, Thane Villas N7 7NU. Have a look here for all the facts; open until 6pm today, and from 11am-5pm tomorrow. Costs £2 to get in.

***

Love this idea. It's the Vintage Kilo Sale - load up your favourites, take them to get weighed, and pay £15 per kilo. Which seems like a really good bargain for someone who has no concept of mathematics or weights. It's happening at the Rag Factory, which is E1 5LJ. It's on until 4pm today. They promise thousands of items from the Sixties to the Eighties. PLUS, there's a chance to pay for items individually, which seems to undermine the concept, but makes everyone happy. Prices look good: a man's shirt is £6, skirt £5. Sounds good, to someone who has no concept of mathematics or weights. All the info here.

***

Easter! I was going to talk about the 5 tonne chocolate waterfall that the excellent Jellymongers Bompas & Parr are creating in Whiteleys April 22nd-25th, but it's all sold out. Fear not. If you're going to the seaside, however, choose Brighton, and go to their brief Rabbit Cafe (Churchill Square, BN1 2RG). From 18th - 20th April, they'll flood the cafe with Albino rabbits, Easter-related snacks, and a nod to the Futurists. Yes, indeed, a nod to the Futurists, who had a Futurist restaurant, The Holy Palate, 100 years ago this year. Diners would
stroke velvet, sandpaper and silk as they ate, which was supposed to make the food more tasty. Don't shoot the messenger.

***

There's a great shop I always look at online, because they're based in Northumberland. They're called RE and do a really good selection of Things - you know, a collection of glassware, cushions, prints: 'home accessories' is the unsatisfactory term which sounds a bit girlish, when it's not. Some examples:

Well, they're coming to Liberty until 17th August so that you can have a look at their products in situ. Click here for a hint of what's in store.

***

The Original Print Art Fair rolls in to town from 19th - 21st April.

Grayson Perry's 'Map of Nowhere', 2008

At the Royal Academy of Arts, the fair is the longest running specialist print fair in the world. With over 50 exhibitors including Peter Blake, David Hockney and other less established (and cheaper) artists, it's worth a look. Prices start at £100 (it costs £10 to get in, if you want to think of it just as an exhibition). If you're a Gavin Turk fan, go along to his lecture, 'Talking Turk', in conversation with the art critic Louisa Buck. After the lecture there will be 200 limited edition prints of his 'Green Fright Wig' for sale at £200 each (and the £10 ticket combines entry to the art fair).

***

Wanted to give a summer festival in aid of charity a mention, too:

On May 21st, the charity Football Action is holding their first summer music festival, "Vest-ival", to help raise funds for the Hanna's orphanage project in Ethiopia, upcoming projects in India, and Football Action, which puts English teachers and football coaches in developing countries
. 

Headliner Annie Mac (Radio 1) will be the main DJ for the evening. The live comedy will be headlined and run by Tom Rosenthal (C4 Friday Night Dinners).

Lots of football activities (Norwich FC there to coach) including a 5 a side pitch with ex-pros and names that football fans will have heard of (Dion Dublin, Darren Hukerby, Ian Walker); football freestylers such as Dan Magness; FA Cup will be there; The Football Ramble for a live podcast and very likely soccer AM and 606, just finalising some details. 

The event will be staged at Jimmy's Farm near Ipswich in Suffolk and will run from 10am on May 21st right through to the small hours of Sunday May 22nd. Tickets from £22...early bird tickets for two adults and two children available for £100 with camping.

They're calling it a vest-ival..so wear your bestest vest. 

***

The favourites of ours, E17 designers, are up to their usual creative tricks: this time, they're part of Craft and Design Month, which is May. They'll be having one main event on 13th May from 7pm- 10pm at the Asian Centre, Walthamstow Village (E17, of course). They say the designer/makers have been working hard all winter for this...jewellery, homeware, crafty crafts of the highest order. And only £1 to get in (with a chance to win a goody bag). Have a look at their blog.

***

On the E17 blog, I also saw this:

Which looks fun.

***

Finally! Remember the pop up gallery Outline Editions, which is really an online outfit championing upcoming graphic artists? Well, the pop up was so successful, they're staying put for a while in their own gallery on 94 Berwick Street which is great news.

Swing by to have a look.

BBC London radio show 12th March

2011-03-12T03:01:00.000-08:00

Rightio! The collection of goods we have this week are many and varied. 

First: the Affordable Art Fair is in town until tomorrow.

 Affordable, in this case, means under £4000. My cut off point is probably somewhere under £100, maybe under £50, but crashing on, it's a fun excursion if you're on the hunt for something to do this weekend. In Battersea Park, with 120 art galleries, tickets cost £10. If you're not in the market to buy, it's a great place to stroll around - one big art exhibition. There's a creche if that interests you (you can only leave your child in there for an hour at a time, mind), and a whirl of activities (today the workshop is all about recycling old jewellery, buttons, bottle tops and beads into art; Sunday has a similar theme) including printmaking and children's art packs. 

***

If clothes are more your bag, the Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair is in town on Sunday 13th - that's tomorrow. It seems like this happened about a month ago, too, so if you missed it first time around, here's your chance. At the Old Finsbury Town Hall (yes, I remember, I talked about one of these the last time I was on air), you'll find clothes, jewellery, textiles, hats, all the usual, from 1890s to the 1980s.There'll be an alterations booth, which is handy, as well as a vintage salon if you want a throwback makeover...

***

Cashmere sure is nice, but it's not cheap. N.Peal is one of the best, which is why it's good to know that their sample and winter clearance sale is STILL ON (ends Sunday, 11am - 5pm). Granted, it's been going for a few days, so you are bound to be following the pillage of hard core fans, but it is definitely worth checking out. You'll find it at 37-40 Burlington Arcade, Mayfair W1J 0QD, and they promise that their lovely stuff will be reduced by at least 25%, some over 70%.

***

Didn't get to mention this one, but here's another tip I got from the blog of Caroline Kamp: until 21st March, there's an exhibition called Joy of Living on at Somerset House. Max Fraser (author of the London Design Guide; we interviewed him on the show a few years ago) has managed to get 100 designers to create a piece of art that will be sold to raise money for Maggie's, the organization that runs cancer caring centres. Each designer started off with a single sheet of graph paper and went from there...here are a couple:

The designers include the stellar names of Terence Conran, Tom Dixon, Rob Ryan and Tomoko Azumi - but all the pieces of art are on show anonymously. They're all for sale, and they all cost £250. Now that's a piece of art worth buying. The designers will be revealed online after the exhibition closes. Exiting!

***

Then, another interesting discovery - Veja trainers. You might have seen them in Selfridges, Topshop, Offspring, or the Design Museum shop. ie they're very stylish. Chic. As you can see from the picture below, just one of many styles they offer.

They're around £49 - £79, and look good. What makes them stand out from all the other trainers cluttering up our wardrobes is how they're made: they're proof that it is actually possible to have a trainer that is ecologically and ethically made. Who knew? 

They don't market themselves primarily like this because, rightly  I suppose, they don't want to be known purely for this - a lot of people get put off if they think they're just buying something for GREEN or ETHICAL reasons, rather than fashionable ones (this is the bald truth, don't you agree?). But with the aesthetic credentials firmly under their belt, I think it's important to underline just how well thought through the processes behind the making of these shoes are:

The cotton used is organic. It's produced in one of the poorest areas of Brazil (the north east). 200 families live on the organic growing - they can also grow food crops among the cotton, which means they can subsist, thereby keeping their independence (it's called agro-ecology, if you want to look into it further - very revolutionary). Veja were doing this six years ago, before cotton became Fair Trade certified - and they set a price above market value (twice the market price, actually), in place for 4 years.

The rubber is wild rubber, and comes from the Amazon: there's a big problem with deforestation there of course - more profit to be gained from cutting down trees for farmland etc - so Veja work with a cooperative of rubber tappers (Seringueiros), again setting price above market value, to encourage them to keep the trees.

Since 2006, the leather Veja use has been ecologically tanned. In other words, chrome-free, so no chemicals rushing in to rivers and polluting the landscape and drinking water. 

The trainers are assembled in a factory in Brazil that has a workers' rights programme in place.

The trainers are stored and delivered from a centre in France, in partnership with a social association that helps people get back into work.

They don't pay celebrities to wear their trainers.

And they look good. Beat that.

***

A newish shop opened just off Marylebone High Street called Trunk Clothiers.

Their aim, they say, is to "become one of the top destinations in Europe for sharply cut blazers, elegant knitwear, crisp shirts, smart footwear and luggage that never lets you down." Phew! They're on 8 Chiltern Street, W1.

Beautifully done, as you can imagine. The founder, Mats Klingberg, has handpicked what he considers to be the best brands, and puts his sense of style and taste down to his Swedish heritage. Sigh!

***

Sample sales!

Temperley

 Dresses and accessories at up to 70% off.
17 March (8am to 7pm) and 18 March (9am to 7pm). 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, W11 2QA.

 Fashion Confidential(sign up to be eligible)

Private sample sale with up to 70% off THIS SEASON and NEXT SEASON’S collections from Valentino, See by Chloe, Current Elliott, Tara Jarmon, Rock & Republic, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Manoush etc... 
24 March (10am to 7pm) and 25 March (10am to 5pm);
M&L Harris, 10 - 11 Greenland Place, London, NW1 0AP.

Margaret HowellMen, women and homewear collections at up to 60% off.
31 March and 1 April (9am to 6pm); 
The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF.

Jenny Packham

Bridal sample sale for dresses, jewellery, shoes and accessories up to 70% off.  
6 April (11am to 7pm) and 7 April (10am to 5pm)
Jenny Packham Store, 3A Carlos Place, Mount Street, London, W1.

BBC London radio show 19th February

2011-02-19T03:04:00.000-08:00

Hello! That was a really fun week. Lots of chat about televisions with coin slots and other debt-reducing plans...seriously considering a money box next to mine.

For the infographics piece I wrote in today's Independent Magazine, have a look here.
***

We started off with the Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair. This is a busy affair in The Old Finsbury Town Hall (George Fornby was a regular there, but long before the fashion that you'll see for sale was considered vintage...). All the details here but it's this Sunday, 20th February, from 11am - 4.30pm, costs £4, and will feature fashion and textiles from the 1800s right up to the 1980s (get with it - the 1980s are now vintage). There will - of course - be a Tea Booth, as well as a handy alterations area.

Here are some of the bargains on offer:

French 1940s workwear dresses starting at £60
Silk 1930s bias cut frocks & pantaloons from £70
Tweed Plus Fours starting at £30 (for girls or boys)
Fascinators and caps from £10
Fabric from £5 a metre
Buttons from £1 a bag
1950s costume jewellery starting at £5
Men's kilt jackets from £60
American circle skirts starting at £40

***

The RCA are having their Ceramic Art London fair from 25th - 27th February. As always it's a chance to do a bit of talent spotting, hopefully coming away with a wonderful tea pot that turns out to be made by someone who eventually gets famous, thereby making you a millionaire...This is the long view, you understand.

Robert Cooper's tea caddy series

birds by Susan O'Byrne

by Kaori Tatebayashi

Not just teapots, you see.

***

Remember 44 Frocks? 'Thrifty thrills for expensive women' ring any bells? We spoke to the founder Laura months ago when she set up her excellent enterprise that allows you to buy barely worn (pre-worn, as Robert has been known to say) designer garments that she's extracted from wardrobes of the rich and stylish. Every party will have 44 dresses priced from £20 - £60 in a particular size. It's popular! So you have to make sure to book in for one of the 'tea parties' (beverages and cake provided) - and because March is all booked up, I thought I should warn you about the next available dates. Attractive picture of a thrifty lady in one of the designer dresses first:

...and then:

3rd April for sizes 10, 12, 14, 16

8th May all sizes (6 - 16)

Get all the information about how to book and what's on offer here, and their blog is one to watch, too.

***

Well it would be wrong to go a week without mentioning the words blah de blah de POP UP so here's the dose for this week (it's high quality, so merits a mention, promise). Skandium have created a brief sale shop - open until tomorrow (Sunday 20th), everything is between 50 and 80% off, which is the sign of a BARGAIN waiting to happen.

in the blink of an eye, it's Skandium. On sale.

It's on 235 Brompton Road, SW3. And they tell me within the pop-up there will be: rugs by Woodnotes, furniture by De La Espada and Asplund, lighting by Harri Koskinen for Marset, cushion covers by Alexander Girard, Aalto chairs by Artek, tumblers by Jorn Utzon (he was the man behind the Sydney opera house, you know), lighting by Orrefors, fabrics, clothing and kitchen textiles by Marimekko, jewellery, and wall hangings. No, I don't recognise all those names either, but you know if they're stocked by Skandium (and they felt they were worth mentioning) that they'll be the height of chic-ity and style. I'm personally excited about the Marimekko mention (have you been to the most colourful shop in London, their store in St Christopher's Place), and am looking forward to buying rather than window shopping, which is my usual Skandium experience.

***

Ever with the bank balance in mind, here's a trusty sample sale list for this month:

Georgina Goodman shoes
(who, incidentally, have their own iPhone app; whatever next? Trouble, that's what) are having a sample sale.
Monday 21st - Saturday 26th (Mon-Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat 10am-6pm). There will be up to 80% off.
Find them at 12-14 Shepherd Street, W1J 7JF.

Designer Sales UK
I flagged this up last time - very good place for bargains.
Friday 4th March (noon-8pm) and Saturday 5th March (10am - 7pm).
Expect tonnes of designer names (Vivienne Westwood, YSL, Martin Margiela etc etc) discounted up to 90%.
Just go to Chelsea Old Town Hall on the Kings Road for that.

Designer Warehouse Sales: menswear
Not to be confused with the very similarly named sale above, this one is menswear only, and has been voted as one of London's best sample sales by The Independent, Elle, and Time Out. You'll find clothes up to 60% cheaper than usual from names like Paul Smith, Armani and Gucci.
Today, Saturday 19th February, 10am-6pm and Sunday 20th February, 11am - 5pm.
Only costs £2 to get in.
Where: 5-6 Islington Studios, Thane Works, Thane Villas, N7 7NU.
(Click here for a map.)

***

While we're on the subject of men, Net-A-Porter is opening a new branch this month. Mr Porter will be open for business soon...keep your eye out here, or sign up for updates with Mr P yourself.

***

Oh! Also Anita's Vintage Fashion Accessories and Textiles Fair, which has been around for eons. It's back this Sunday (20th February) from 11am-5pm at The 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, W11 2QA.
Boon: it's free.
Double boon: there will be 30 stalls, all very respectable.

***

Back on the high street, and M&S will have some deals during next week's half term. Here they are:

Spend £30 and save £5 on childrenswear 

Save £10 on food when you spend £50 or more on womenswear and lingerie 

Spend £150 on suits and get 25% off 

30% off selected furniture 

20% off selected homeware, TVs, home video and electricals 

***

If you don't look at Caroline Kamp's design blog then you should. A design journalist and general inspirational ideas maverick (oh, and mother of two smallies...), she has her finger on the pulse when it comes to Hip Things you might want to add to your life. She's not above experimenting with the latest coolest eco-detergents (who knew such a thing could actually be so trendy? Read about her exploits with 'method' here), but she goes high-brow too, and tipped me off to this:

The Modern Danish Warehouse, a warehouse open from 5th - 20th March, that will be selling 250 pieces of the loveliest midcentury Danish furniture.

Prices start at £100, go up to £1500, and include furniture that Arne Jacobsen designed for a school in Copenhagen in the 1950s.

You'll find it all at The Garage, North Terrace SW3 2AB.

Finito! Do get in touch if you've any thoughts or questions...

BBC London radio show 29th January

2011-01-29T03:01:00.000-08:00

Hello! It was fun to broadcast on a Saturday again. A trillion times more relaxed. I interviewed Jane from Shelf, the shop that feels a bit like an old regular on the show - Robert and I have been mentioning it for about five years now, at regular intervals; nooked away in little old Cheshire Street just off Brick Lane, it was one of a kind, and raised the standard for independent shops, as well as flying the flag and other mixed metaphors. It's sad they're closing. BUT they're off to exciting times, and the sale is very worth going to - plus, you don't have to feel bad about buying up all the stock on the shop floor, because while they're breaking free of the four walls, they're still going to exist, in a new incarnation, online. So you'll ACTUALLY be doing them a favour.

kissing bye bye to Shelf, alas...

Talking about Shelf made me think about Caravan, another staple of alternative shopping.

Run by Emily Chalmers, a creative force, it has been an inspiring place to visit in all its incarnations...it has an excellent online shop, but has been a physical presence in Cheshire Street, then Spitalfields, (and then the council made the rent exhorbitant) to the current address at Redchurch Street. The final move turned out to be an excellent one - soon after Terence Conran built his Boundary hotel and restaurant, plus the Albion cafe, right on the same street. That helped for more passing trade, people who could peer through the windows at these lovely things:

Brass ring cast from vintage original, £29

Pineapple (you must have guessed that) wall sconce, £89

these silver metal flowers are beautiful in real life. I gave mine away altruistically and secretly regret it, £39

concrete light bulbs, £49

Many more things to buy, many more. But Caravan is the kind of place you go to buy something beautiful, have it wrapped in a lovely way, and to have a conversation with the owner or one of the genuinely nice shop assistants. It's a good place to visit (and then to Albion Caff - sic - for delicious things to eat, if you need an energy boost. The brownies are worth it.)

***

Then on to a very different kind of event, where chatting amiably is not the point. Sharp elbows are the only accessory you need, and a discerning eye. DSUK (Designer Sales UK) are having another sample sale on Friday 4th March. I don't need to tell you any more, because it's so far ahead, but there will be lots of bargains and you should put it in your diary. Noon - 8pm, Chelsea Town Hall. More details will follow, but expect many designer names...

***

Here's a good thing: The Outnet is an exponent of what they call 'Chiconomics'. Why not? A sister brand to Net-A-Porter, it's essentially a fashion outlet store, online, selling discounted designer clothes and accessories. Its connection to Net-A-Porter means that the brands are authentic, and you can be guaranteed that you're getting a genuine bargain. It doesn't mean of course that "bargains" will always be cheap per se...ahem! But you can be sure they're cheaper, so in effect you're spaving money. There are over 200 brands and here are some recent sale items (they may have sold by now): Pringle leather skirt reduced from £400 to £160; Marc Jacobs shoes down from £255 to £128; Converse shoes were £35 reduced to £19; Givenchy shoes reduced from £745 to £298.

***

Then, for some real-life shopping, the RCA International Art Fair. This year it's on 17th - 21st February (now that I'm doing this slot every three weeks, I have to think ahead a bit...), and promises 80 stands. Most of the work for sale is contemporary, but there will be art from Matisse, Picasso, and Chagal - even if you (I) can't afford to buy, it's a feast for the eyes. At £6 entry, it's not a bad afternoon out being arty, either.

***

Also: the haircare brand Naked has teamed up with Oxfam. On the ranges with the Oxfam sticker, 25p will go to the charity (and £1 of every Oxfam shopper sold online will also go back).

***

On the charity shopping theme, there's a Frock Swap on Wednesday which is definitely worth a visit. Called 'swishing' nowadays, it's what you might - back there in the dark ages - call a 'swap shop'. How it works: bring up to four (good) items of clothing, and take the same amount back! The swishing/swapping is free, but it's in aid of London's Air Ambulance, so they ask for a £10 donation. It's at The Great Hall, Barts Hospital, West Smithfield, EC1A 7BE - doors open 6.30pm, swishing from 7pm.

***

MORE swishing (now you know what it means), today at The Hammerswish. It's not for charity, so completely free (but it is founded in ethical and recyclingish principles, so you can still feel smug); bring up to five items. You'll find it at The Stonemason's Arms, 54 Cambridge Grove, W6 OLA, from 2-5pm. More information about swishing here.

***

Also today: the Buy My Wardrobe event, where lots of knowledgeable fashion people are selling their designer garbs at a discount. There will be Chanel, Gucci, Preen et al, all up to 75% off. All the details are here, but it's at Adam Street Members' Club, 9 Adam Street, WC2N 6AA, from noon to 4pm. Cost: £5

***

Window shopping at Heal's this week: the Tottenham Court Road store will have installations and arty displays, thanks to the UCL Slade School of Fine Art. It's called Heal's Artists in Residence 2011 and the students will be let loose! Walk past at least once - it's free, woohoo. (Monday 31st January to Sunday 6th February).

***

first Saturday show! BBC London 8th January

2011-01-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

Happy new year! First Saturday show - very good fun. We kicked off with Nicola Beauman, the owner of Persephone Books. PB is a little bookshop (and office, Nicola hastens to add - London is an expensive place) that gathers up lots of neglected works (often by women, all 20th Century), reprints and sells them. In this case, you can judge a book by its cover, because all of PB's books look the same from the outside - plain grey jackets, cream label for the title and author. Only inside will reveal the fabric-design endpaper, specially chosen to match the feel of the context at time of writing. For short stories, diaries, cookery books, and novels that you won't necessarily see elsewhere, and would make a great present (if you're not sick of present shopping). If you want to see the real thing, they're tucked away on Lambs Conduit Street; or they have an excellent online ordering service (80% of their business comes this way).

***

Didn't have time to mention this, but if you haven't bought a diary yet, try We Are What We Do: not the obvious choice for stationary, but it's an organization that believes lots of small acts add up to make a difference. And as part of that, they're involved with lots of projects to encourage people to ascribe to their philosophy (in a fun way). They're the people who Anya Hindmarsh worked with when she was designing her now ubiquitous 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag', and if you went to Bestival, WAWWD were responsible for that huge dragon lurking in the field (Jacques le Trash, a recycling dragon).

So here's their Action Diary 2011:

Startlingly, it's only £2. Which is cheaper than I paid for my week-to-view diary, page of notes on the side. And the actions they suggest aren't too difficult (Valentine's Day: Give Lots of Compliments). They get you to log your good action online when you do it - so far, 4,822,058.

***

If you're in Highbury / Finsbury Park area today, take a jaunt past Bennet and Brown, a place to buy Interesting Things. One of an interesting row of shops on Mountgrove Road, just off the Blackstock road, it's run by a couple of furniture restorers (another service they offer) who know their stuff. Stock changes all the time - currently you can see a couple of things in store online: enamel factory lamp shades from the Thirties (large, £52, small £34), and a set of four Arts and Crafts dining chairs (fully restored, oak with rush work seats, £495).

Also - plastic cowboys for £1! Whooo-hooo!

Warning: they have eccentric opening times, as is their right as an independent shop, so check their timetable before you go.

(They're next to the Sylvanian Families shop, but I'm not going into that any further...)

***

Lots of sales, too:

Ede and Ravenscroft (London's oldest tailor, founded 1689) for suits reduced from £550 to £395, cotton shirts down from £75 to £35, silk ties from £55 to £25. A proper, old-fashioned, sale.

Jaeger have an up-to-70% off sale - clothes and bags starting from £99.

Paul Smith has an online sale of up to 50% off their autumn/winter collection. AND they're not adding VAT this year, which is good news.

Lee has up to 30% off in their flagship store, Carnaby Street.

SCP furniture has up to 60% discounts on end of line and ex-display items.

Cath Kidson's sale is still online - up to 50% off clothes, bedding, accessories.

***

And, finally, the London Vintage Fashion Textiles and Accesories Fair. Not a pithy title, but then who needs pith when you're trying to describe a lavish affair of over 100 vintage fashion clothing dealers. The shoes, hats, handbags, linen, jewellery, dresses are dated from 1800 to 1980, and you'll probably be mingling with lots of In The Know fashion people who come here for inspiration. It's this Sunday, at Hammersmith Town Hall, 8am-5pm (£10 entry 8am-10am, £5 thereafter).

That's it! I'll be back in three weeks. Keep in touch.

BBC London radio show 15th December

2010-12-15T05:01:00.000-08:00

First of all, we chatted to Patrick Dillon about his book The Story of Britain. It seems, on good authority, to be the sort of book even "silly 14 year old boys addicted to computer games" (direct quote, from Mother of Silly 14 Year Old) enjoy. He took inspiration from the stories he used to tell his own children, and his own love of history. Nice to have a present that doesn't beep and whirr.

***

Then on to some very last minute Christmas shopping opportunities. Yes, because that's what today is all about. So, there's an Art, Craft and Design Market on Leather Lane this Thursday and Friday, from 10am to 4pm. They promise you can nip by on your lunch hour and finish off your shopping - true, or just tempting? You decide. There will be art, photography, clothes, ceramics, jewellery - usual fare for a fair (UFFAF).

On Friday night, the Barbican are hosting a Barbican Lates event, from 6pm until late. They assure us it will be an extravaganza of bargain fun and there will be festive drinks. And music. So you may be tempted to buy more than you would during the day, but that's half the fun, surely.

On Saturday, there's another fair in Primrose Hill Community Centre, noon until 4pm. (UFFAF)

If you're closer to Hampstead, try their fair in the Interchange Studios, Hampstead Town Hall, from 10am-8pm

***

I like this book which sets itself up as a design-lovers' illustrated football chant guide. Litho printed in two colours, it's in an edition of 1000, and is - ONLY - £3.50 (plus postage, £4.90). It's by London illustrator Mark Long, and is bright and clever, and - not being an expert in illustrated football chant books, but still - an unusual take on the subject. Here it is:

Obviously, I don't get many of the jokes, but plenty of people I know will, and that is good enough for me. Plus, if you order more than one copy, Mark Long will refund you postage. You can buy it here.

***

Then I thought people would like the limited edition posters that cycle shop PUSH (in Newington Green) is selling now. They launched on Saturday evening, so all the designs are still available - which is good news, because they look like this:

At a limited edition of 30, and costing £30 each (and half the profits going to the Brain Tumour Trust), they make a pretty nifty present for cyclists. When a design runs out, a new one will take its place (and they accept submissions). All the shop details are here.

***

The Tate came next - they've got membership packs from £52, a very nice present for a year, which includes unlimited entry to all the exhibitions, use of the Members Rooms, the TATE ETC magazine, and - alluringly - fast track entry. I think Tate members would be too genteel to jump queues.

If the budget is a bit less, I am a fan of these 'On the Wing' plates (£19.95), cups (£15.95) and bowls (£15.95) by the artist Mark Hearld:

***

Next, to Folksy - which I didn't know about until yesterday. It's an online crafty emporium - don't switch off, I know everything is crafty these days - which seems to be more thrifty than you'd expect. For instance, the London Clay Birds company sells little birds that fit in the palm of your hand, beautiful things, for £11.50. They're made from (go on, guess, guess) London clay ("a marine deposit from the Palaeogene period, 50/60 million years old" they say. It sounds true - that's as far as I'll go). What I like is that the clay comes from the ground in Islington, where a Victorian workhouse once stood. Feels like the very earth, and so that little bird, is steeped in history.

And how about this? For £5, a useful visual joke from Sixes and Sevens:

Hope that helps! Merry Christmas!

BBC London radio show 1st December

2010-12-01T06:12:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I had no electricity last night, so couldn't write up today's show in advance - I'll be a bit later than usual sorry. Keep checking!

BBC London radio show 17th November

2010-11-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

Sorry this is late everyone! I am going to whizz through it all this week, so you have the information, and attempt to be much better organized next time, so it's less speedy.

***

 First, it was Philip Wilkinson, who wrote The High Street, an exploration of everything the title suggests. He was a very nice man, knowledgeable and friendly. Which is how, we decided, shopkeeping should be. Shops need to have a niche, or at least know what they're doing, and they should be nice to customers. Simple, yet hard, especially for the man who was on his mobile phone the whole time I was in his shop recently. 

***

And then on to old favourites, E17 Designers. They're back! Well, they never went away, but they have been busy crafting away behind the scenes while I haven't been talking about them. The result will be the excellent E17 Designers Market, happening on 26th and 27th November. 

***

Then the amusing corner Christmas tree from M&S came along and I devoted quite a bit of time to it, because I just can't work out whether I think it's brilliant or terrible to have such a trick of optical illusion at Christmas time. 

 it's £39.50

But it's not just any trick, it's a Marks and Spencer trick. I'm out of the debate, really, because I will only have real trees (I grew up in a forest, artificial will never entice me), but hypothetically, would I go for the pretendy half a one, to make the corners easier? I probably would. All the spare decorations could then be fashioned into some kind of hip maxi-decoration that would show how creative I really am. As it is, I just hope that last year's debacle isn't repeated: as I discussed with Robert, the tree I brought home almost immediately became a dark pastiche of its cheery purpose, branches drooping, decorations hanging by a thread off a bare branch pointing floor-ward. Tim Burton's type of set dressing.

***

Keeping with the Christmas theme, charity cards were next on my list. It seems that not all high street 'charity' cards are necessarily what you might think. In fact, it's possible that only 1% goes to charity - and, as the Charities Advisory Trust says, you wouldn't be allowed to call something a meat pie if there was only 1% of meat in it. Read their SCROOGE AWARDS report to find out which high street stores to avoid this year. You can be guaranteed, though, that if you buy Christmas cards from Card Aid, all profits will go to charity. Buy online, or go to one of 30 temporary shops across London. I got mine from an ad-hoc stall in the BFI foyer (check here for other locations). They sell cards given to them by lots of different charities. Here's one pack I bought:

...an extremely unsatisfactory image, thanks to me, because I can't work out how to turn it around. I will endeavour to, but in the meantime, you can see how lovely it is. £4.50 for 10, and all profits to deafness research uk. 

***

Then there was Outline Editions, the place to find excellent graphic artists and illustrators. It is, as usual, online, but there's a temporary gallery at 94 Berwick Street until 31st January, where you can go to see the Into The Forest show in person.

I risk sounding pretentious saying this but I probably am: it's a nice space.

***

Finally, I told everyone to go to Bust Craftacular, where you'll find the handmade revolution is still going strong. 

On Sunday 28th November, from 12-6pm, at York Hall (5-15 Old Ford Road, E2), 70 stalls will be laden with things to buy, made by the people serving you. Which is a nice circular way to finish, given that we started talking about the Victorians who were really into all that hard work ethic.

***

And that was the show! It was fun. 

Keep in touch - I never get a comment, but I like to say that as a sign off, so it's staying.

Joined Twitter

2010-11-15T06:26:00.000-08:00

...for work reasons. And am not so sure about it. But I'm on @claredwyerh

We'll see.

What I would have said on the radio today...

2010-11-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Right, so, no tubes to get me to the BBC today, but I had plenty of things to discuss, so here they are:

First of all, I would have mentioned that the RCA are having their annual Secret Sale on 12th and 14th - 19th November. This is how it works: you go there and have a look at over a thousand pieces of original art, all postcard size. (Almost as small as the picture below that I'm using to illustrate - sorry, it's teeny but you get the idea)

Choose one you like, and buy it, for £45...then turn it over, and see what signature is on the back. Last year, Tracey Emin, Grayson Perry, Sir Paul Smith and Manolo Blahnik were among the artists who donated work. Even if you don't get a famous name, don't be disappointed; the current postgraduate students who have had a hand in the others may well be a 'name' some day too. And it can't all be about fame and fortune, this art business, anyway. If you like it, buy it. (You have to have a registration number to buy, though, so make sure to sign up here before the end of 16th November).

***

Next, it would have been a jaunt to super-chic furniture people SCP. They're having a warehouse sale this Saturday, which promises 90% off their stock. It's only open from 10am until 2pm, which gives you an idea of how popular it's going to be. Get there (80 Druid Street, SE1) early, and have a look at these examples of nice things you could buy:

I'm thinking about these on a purely aspirational basis, but some of you might be able to covert that aspiration into reality, which I vicariously support. Let me know if you do.

You could also take a scoot into their real shop to view the in store upholstery sale (20% off), and the lighting sale (10% off, in store and online) until 21st November. It's a good place to wander around imagining, too:

***

Then I'd have whisked you away to Old Finsbury Town Hall (a favourite with old George Formby in his day), for the Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair. On Sunday 14th November, from 11am-4pm, they assure me there will be a treasure trove of vintage clothes, shoes and accessories from the 1800s - 1980s on offer. Have a look at their website for all the information. Excuse the brevity - this really is a speed shopping trip today!

***

It's November, so I'm afraid it's just not too early to mention Christmas any more. I haven't subscribed to the pre-December organization in years gone by, but this one is different, and you're on this journey with me now. I've found B&Q to be a surprising proponent of good Christmas decorations in the past, and this year they're unexpectedly delivering cute Christmas things (mini crackers, cards, 'letter to Santa' pack) WITH a charity angle. So 50p will go to NSPCC for every product bought in the dedicated range. I like this. I also like to be able to show PICTURES and find things I know about ONLINE but these products haven't appeared yet, even though they're definitely available. So I'll get in touch and find out what's happening, and update. Have a look in store though.

***

I would have quickly mentioned the Reiss Sample Sale. Quickly not because it's unimportant, just because there's not much information apart from PRICES START AT £10 which is quite a thing, given the hike of prices in Reiss shops. Go to Fashion Confidential to sign up and get an invite. When: 3rd - 6th November. Where: Music Rooms, South Molton Lane, as usual.

***

Then it would have been on to the Midcentury Modern show, happening in Dulwich on Sunday 14th November.

 With a big selection of international designers, the show has got a name for itself not least because its very nature cuts out the retail mark-up. Have a look on their site for all the details, but in short: £6 for tickets in advance, £7 on the day (children under 14 free); 10am-4pm; prices from £10-£5000.

***

And that would have been that. You got all the information distilled without the waffle this week - what a treat. As always, get in touch if you want me to search out something for you. Until next time.

article in The Independent today

2010-10-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

I went to Paris a couple of months ago and spent some time in the fantastical bookshop, Shakespeare & Company, which has been going since the Fifties - and is a literary bohemia. Aspiring writers stay there for free, they have since its inception, and it's right opposite the Notre Dame:

I wrote about it for The Independent - find the article in the magazine today.

BBC London radio show 20th October

2010-10-22T04:24:00.000-07:00

OK! After a bit of an extended break, back on the show again to talk about frivolity and functionality as the dark cloud of recession persists. It all began with Laura, who is one of the masterminds behind 44 Frocks. "Thrify thrills for expensive women" is her motto, and her words are not empty promises.

Register for an invitation, and you could be one of 30 people who gets to go to her flat at the regular events, and try on...wait for it...44 dresses. Forty-four designer dresses, all either new or worn but once or twice - so very nearly new. (Where from, you may wonder. Well, Laura seems to have an uncanny knack of getting to know people with vast wardrobes of barely worn clothes that they're happy for her to plunder. Lucky for her, and you). What makes this enterprise so good is not just the cups of tea and cake you get while trying on aforementioned garments, but the fact that the dresses are between £20 and £60. Which for Diane Von Furstenberg, Joseph, Marc Jacobs, DNKY et al, is pretty cheap. And pretty pretty. Which is the aim. This Sunday, it's sizes 10-12. The event after that, 14th November, has yet to be revealed. Cake and tea are a constant, though.

***

Next, some reading material. We took a jaunt to Woolfson & Tay, the new independent bookshop in Bermondsey.

Visit online here to have a look at the gamut of events they've got going - writing classes, author talks, open mics - and for a hint of what they're about (gallery hire, cafe, a creative space). You won't find BOOKS on there, because it's not an online shop, it's a real place. Visit in real time and space at the actual address for that.

***

Then straight on with no delay to the Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park, from 21st to the 24th October.where everything is priced below £3000. Affordable is obviously a fluid concept. But that's OK because it's a rule that everything is labelled very clearly - no embarrassing questions about how much things are. Take a look at the website for all the details, and a taster of what the 120 galleries across Europe will be presenting. I like this one by Shlomi Nissim (Minotaure Contempop Gallery), even though it's clearly disturbing and maybe even the stuff of nightmares.

Little Red Cup, £2,900

If you feel inspired, try out some of their workshops ("drypoint printmaking" is on offer; I don't know what the drypoint part is, but sounds good, as is "collaborate mural making"). It's not just painting and photography - plenty of sculpture and prints (good news for those on a more modest budget than £3000) and, they promise, a relaxed unstuffy environment. If you go, let me know what you think.

***

Sorry about this, but Christmas was mentioned. Yes, before Hallowe'en. But I had to, because the V&A are having a Christmas launch in their excellent shop, which means 10% off online shopping. When you come to pay, put XMAS2010 in the 'offer code box' and hocus pocus, things will be cheaper.

set of 10 Christmas cards, taken from 1926 set design for The Firebird

Note, above, one of the set of Christmas cards on offer. I'm always going on about cards and stationary, and most especially the V&A's Christmas card selection, which I always hope in vain to find on sale in January. So this is close. Much more on offer than cards, though - jewels, clothes, toys, books (and reading glasses for £60: who knew?) Last delivery dates, if you're going to leave it to the last minute - my favourite trick - they'll deliver internationally to get there by Christmas up to 7th December, and to the UK by 18th December. Despite all this, I'm going to go on a mission over the next couple of months to find you the least expensive most delightful things for Christmas presents. So don't fear.

***

Just FYI, Liberty are in the throws of a mid-season sale. This means you can buy a Marc Jacobs wool military coat for £332.50, was £475. Or a dress by Vivienne Westwood for £185, was £265. We all know this information is no recession-buster. But sometimes, information is power. And it means that now you know that because you haven't spent any money at Liberty (yet) you've saved a LOT.

***

On that note, we then whizzed around an awful lot of sales. Here they are:

One day flash sale by DSUK on 28th October. From 10am - 8pm in The Music Rooms on South Molton Lane, most of the big name designers will be there at discounted prices (up to 90% off, actually).

Sample Hunters are holding their Autumn Designer Sale from 21st - 24th October. That's in the Old Truman Brewery (look online for the timings) and will include Vivienne Westwood, Chloe, D&G, Belstaff and others at 40-80% off retail prices.

For a sale on TSE cashmere, go to their sale in The Camden Centre 27th (11am-8pm), 28th (10am-8pm) and 29th October (10am - 8pm). There will be up to 80% off this lovely (usually prohibitively expensive) brand.

Heal's is having a warehouse sale on 30th October from 9am-1pm. Lots of ex-display furniture at excellent prices, up to 70% off in some cases. Get there early. It's at 9 Ardra Road, N9 0DB (their distribution centre).

Melanie Potro Bridal Couture is having a sample sale on 27th, 28th and 30th October. Prices at this brand usually begin around £1600 but you'll get 75% off (and more, they promise). If you know any brides, tell them to check it out - prices start at £299 which is not bad... Dresses are sizes 10-12. No appointments required on Wednesday and Thursday (12-7pm), but you have to book on the Saturday (11am-3pm). Call 020-7490 8634 for more info.

***

Anything you want me to hunt out for you? Let me know. Until next time, Clare.

BBC London radio show 22nd September

2010-09-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well, for starters, I spoke to Lena Corner, who has just set up a company called Colour Flooring. It's a fledgling company - only two weeks old - but already it is drumming up good interest, not least in the studio today. We learned from the outset that, yes, vinyl flooring is - sort of - what you might have previously known as 'lino'. But expunge that four letter word from your mind. Lena and her business partner Bill sell beautiful block colour vinyl flooring - not, as Lena pointed out, the kind of vinyl flooring that typically is fashioned with images of stones (you know the type - pebbles upon pebbles, as if you're walking on the flattest of stony beaches) or fake wood. Up until two weeks ago, even if you wished you weren't, that's what you could have bought for your floor. Or very expensive rubber flooring. But now, aha! The niche in the market has been filled.

At £19 a square metre, it's less than half the price of what it would cost you to buy the rubber version. It's easy to lay - just glue it yourself (or if that makes you quake, it's something any builder could do with their eyes shut). You can order free samples. Plus, they have 'Brilliant White' which is something of a coup in the world of hip flooring. That's a phrase I've never used previous to this story, but I'm afraid I mean it. Hip flooring. There, I've said it again.

***

Then it was a super speedy jaunt through Paul Smith Junior, the new collection for children.

very nice, £81

Obviously, the clothes are great - colourful, pretty much non-gendered, and good quality. But you know from my lengthy chat that I'm not one for designer clothes for smallies, but I feel it's my duty to let you know what's out there. PLUS as soon as people start to buy such things, those things appear on eBay. Which is where people like me come in.

***

Next, a bit of independence with Out of Town, although it's very much in town. In Clerkenwell, it's a vintage shop AND cafe AND (soon) a bar too. Robert felt he'd utilize the bar while his wife shopped; I have the sense that I'd enjoy fueling my purchases with a dose of caffeine, always the giver of a dangerously cheery high, combined with a laissez-faire attitude towards money.

For sale: old maps, vintage furniture and accessories, the finest of threads. The website is still under construction, so I'll write about them again, with pictures, when everything's up and running, but the vintage stock is worth looking at in real life anyway. And I'm not interested in virtual cake.

***

Vintage theme continued with the next sale from Kerry Taylor Auctions on 28th September. I'm always mentioning them; you can be assured of some serious pieces of vintage clothing, and all of fantastic quality. Have a look on their site for all the details if you're interested; the auction happens at Unit C21, 40 Martell Road, London SE21 - it'll be open on 26th September (12-4pm) and 27th (9.30am -5pm) for viewing, too.

***

As always, we like a sample sale:

Margaret Howell happening in The Music Rooms on South Molton Lane on 23rd and 24th September, 9am-6pm

DSUK on Friday 1st October (12-9pm) and Saturday 2nd October (10am-7pm). I couldn't tell you where it was happening today - error, sorry. Chelsea Old Town Hall on the Kings Road is what I meant to say. For £5 entry fee, you can get up to 90% off major designers (Vivienne Westwood, Missoni et al)

If you listened to the show, you know there was more...that's going to come as a part II, not because I think it's any kind of a cliffhanger, just because the timing dictates (ie living in chaos).

Any thoughts or questions, let me know below!

Clare

BBC London radio show 11th August

2010-08-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

So! Here are this week's offerings. A bit later than usual, sorry. First time meeting Simon Lederman, which proved to be very fun. After a brief discussion about my choice of iced coffee drink, we spoke to Helene from Little Paris, a gem of a shop in Crouch End, north London. 

a few things that make the window display inviting...

 Helene started off as a designer, but, she told us, had a dream of opening her own shop. So against all the odds, last December she did exactly this - in the middle of a recession. 

Chic French hair accessories - no research done on my part about what makes them chic; they're Parisian, so they must be

Counterintuitively, it has been going very well, not least because customers love listening to Helene speaking in her French accent. Her voice is definitely worth a hear, I'm sure you'll agree, but her products are worth the trip too. French industrial furniture, beautiful Parisian accessories and - naturally - a 19th Century fridge, currently in stock.

***

Next stop, TOMS shoes. As I mentioned on air, I've tried to get an interview with the people who run it for a while now, but so far have been unsuccessful so I thought I'd just talk about them. TOMS operates a great enterprise selling shoes that directly benefits people in developing countries. Their motto is 'One for One' - for every pair of shoes you buy from TOMS, a pair of new shoes goes to a child in need.

from £32

Started in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie who, while travelling in Argentina, was astounded by the amount of children he met who didn't have shoes to protect their feet, TOMS has now donated over 400,000 pairs.

new wedges, £56

In developing countries, children often have to walk miles for food and water, and they often have to walk those miles in bare feet. But as well as protecting hundreds of thousands of little feet from cuts and sores which can then become infected (often in areas where medical help is in short supply) and lead to amputation, there are other, less obvious, consequences too. It's a fact that many children can't go to school because wearing shoes is often a mandatory part of the uniform. Having shoes can mean getting an education. Sobering, but the theory of using the purchasing power of individuals for the greater good looks like it's working. For more information on how to get involved, click here.

***

And then, because it's summer (although, obviously, I eat ice cream all through the winter) it was off to Gelupo, a newly opened ice cream store in Soho. Yum.

They claim it's the finest artisan gelupo this side of the Alps, and really, the only way to contest or confirm this is via a taste test. Run by the same people who set up the Italian deli Bocca di Lupo, the store serves up gelato, sorbets and granitas (slushy ices) in a wild assortment of flavours. FYI: gelato is different to regular ice cream because it rarely uses eggs or cream...and the ingredients that make up the granitas are only fresh fruit, nuts or coffee and cane sugar. Mmmm. Or maybe you prefer a frozen fruit (mango, pomegranate, pineapple, melon) stuffed with sorbet? Or little spheres of flavours that go nicely together rolled in bitter chocolate sound better? They're happy to oblige. 

Here's today's menu, just to give you an idea:

On your behalf, I sampled the pistachio gelato and also - not on the above menu for some reason - a blackberry sorbet. They defy expectation. What I like about it, too, is that it's open all hours of the day and night - until 11pm every night apart from Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, when it's open until 1am! But, really, it's a ridiculous thing to be told about such tantilizing deliciousness without being urged to discern it all for yourself. So think of this merely as a signpost towards a merry time.

***

Next we hared on down to Crystal Palace, where Vintagehart are having a sale this month. Vintagehart is a super-cool little space within an actual pub. So you can have a white wine spritzer or sambuca shot pre, post, or during shop.

Here's Daphne, one of the shop's favourite models.

Run by Annette and Dawn, it's a treasure trove for vintage fashion, and this month, they're having a sale - a proper old-fashioned sale, where everything is going for £10 and under. I can't confirm that the pieces below haven't been snapped up already, but here are some of their recent acquisitions:

and

...and

Nice, aren't they? You should probably take them up on their advice to "bring a friend, a picnic, and a few fivers" and have a blast. Find them on their Facebook page, or in person at 96 Church Road, SE19 9EZ. They're open Thursday - Sunday 12-6pm, and on Fridays you can shop until 8pm. The sale ends on 29th August, so don't tarry!

***

Next up, and Beyond The Valley came into our spotlight. Look out for this sign on Newburgh Street:

...for behind it, you'll find a crazy little gallery and shop that acts as a platform to about one hundred new designers, who use the space to showcase their work. They've just reinvigorated their online shop, which is worth a look. There is no theme - expect wallpaper, jewellery, furniture, fashion, and on some days maybe an amalgam of all of the above. What you will find is a revolving selection of new design; you might find something you like, too.

Walnut bird necklace by Lost at Sea, £40

Some of the designs are more surreal than others. The necklace above, for instance, is cute and not unexpected. The ceramic custard cream box, however, which is the exact size to hold an actual custard cream biscuit, is less expected. I'm aware it's not the kind of gift that would be entirely welcome in some quarters, but there's bound to be a niche market for it somewhere, so here it is, if only as proof that it does exist.

Disclaimer: actually quite cute in real life, as demonstrated above. My preference, though, is the umbrella that changes colour in the rain:

...and the laptop bag disguised as a folded up newspaper isn't bad either:

by Mitemite, £120

Provided the potential thieves haven't been shopping in Beyond The Valley, our laptops will be safe enough.

***

We raced onwards and upwards to the heights of established designers, namely those who do handbags. But because it's the age of austerity, we scoured the bargain ("bargain") options. At Koodos, it is possible at the moment to get such bags at up to half price. A Jimmy Choo patchwork bag, reduced from £810 to £405. An Etro patchwork bag, was £1,465 now £730. A Lanvin 'medium bag', reduced from £1,195 to £595. Chloe's small patchwork bag, was £900, now £450. Let me know if anyone actually found this information about expensive handbags helpful.

***

And then just about time to squeeze in an advance warning of a sample sale:

The London Accessory Sale is happening 2nd - 5th September in the Truman Brewery - 50% off all the major designer brands (Chloe, Dior, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Miu Miu, Burberry).

...and I didn't have time to mention these, but will remind you closer to the time:

Rupert Sanderson women's shoes will be on sale on 17th and 18th September in the Music Room.

The much anticipated Margaret Howell sale happens on 23rd and 24th September, also in the Music Room. There will be menswear, womenswear, and homewear.

And...finito. I'm not on the show in a fortnight, but will be back two weeks after that. Keep in touch with any questions, ideas, suggestions or hellos in the meantime!