BBC London 9th July

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

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.




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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).




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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.


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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.




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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. 




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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.


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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.



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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


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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.



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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

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 24^th May, but there’s a lot to think about seeing over the ‘week’ (which is actually three days, as it ends on 26^th, 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.

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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 27^th May on 54 Rivington Street, EC2A 3QN (020-7608 0206), but there’s a launch party on Thursday 26^th 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 31^st July, Wednesday- Sunday.  (11am-7pm Weds- Fri; 11am-5pm Sunday).

Twitter: @tokyobikeUK

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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

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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.

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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.

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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 17^th, and runs until Saturday 22^nd, and promises arts, furniture, crafts, and all manner of things lost and found, costing from £1 up to £2000.

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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/ )

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Then to a Nicole Fahri sample sale, from 18^th May until 21^st 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 20^th May (1pm-6pm) and 21^st 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

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.




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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).

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

On May 21^st, 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.

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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.

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On the E17 blog, I also saw this:

Which looks fun.

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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

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.

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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...

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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%.

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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!




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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.






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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!




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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 Howell

Men, 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

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.
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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

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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.


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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.




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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.


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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.)



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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.



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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. 


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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

 

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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...