Authenticity, artisan, having a moral compass, actually giving a rats about your suppliers, a credible brand story ... the rest is just landfill really. Menswear label Albam is based on the philosophy of continuing to manufacture their products in Great Britain, and if this isn’t possible then they look as close to home as possible. Their goal is to enable British factories to grow and develop along side them. The web site says "There is no hidden agenda with this, but there is something that is great about making products in an area when people think you are slightly crazy 'because no one does it anymore'. In some respects there is an old mindset within Albam combined with a forward outlook".
Brand with British backbone
Crisp design
I love illustration / hand drawn style. I also love a snoop around British supermarkets as they do some of the best packaging in the world. I love the new look for M&S snack range.
Window shop
I thought this a stylish window approach for selling real estate spotted on Upper St Islington.
Hostem high
Hostem stocks names like Ann Demeulemeester, Visvim and Rick Owens. No pics allowed instore so I borrowed the bottom one from Google. It's part of the 'must shop when in Shoreditch' story. The store design is by uber hip JamesPlumb.
Stop at the squirrel
Stop at the squirrel and you've found the new cafe/roastery for Kiwi coffee brand, Allpress. I walked in the door on the day they opened without knowing anything about the place (no signage to give me a clue). After a sniff of the air I declared to the staff 'there is something very Melbourne about this place' ... 'well I'm from Melbourne' said the girl behind La Marzocco. Turns out she had worked for Nolan Hirte at Proud Mary in Melbourne (maybe I recognised her face?). Given the quality of cool shops and creative types that reside in the Redchurch St area I'd say Allpress is on a winner here. It's directly across the road from Aubin & Wills.
More than a store
If the saying on the soap fits then use it I say. From my super quick instore 'eye-spy' I gather quality and attention to detail pretty much sums up the A&W brand. These days we talk a lot about brand personality and experiences... and finding the right brand extensions is not always the easiest thing to achieve. With a gallery and indie cinema in the mix I'd say this is a clever use of 3 levels that delivers something a little different from your usual denim and designer threads store. Aubin & Wills 64 Redchurch Street Shoreditch.
Good things come in 3’s
Successful restaurateurs/chefs tend to expand their empire by stepping out from behind the stoves and releasing a cookbook or two, a line of jams/sauces/cookware and tread the celeb chef/TV circuit. The eclectic restaurant, Les Trois Garcons, decided to open an antique inspired interiors store instead of going down the above mentioned path. A treasure trove of vintage mixed with modern, I guess if you love finding pieces and have finished fitting out the restaurant then you open a shop and keep going. The charming Hassan, one of the three Garcons, (pictured) told me about the above otherwise I would have been clueless to the connection. Their web site is an interesting read. I'll have to go back for dinner! Find flea market style furniture and chandeliers suitable for a Chateaux at No.45 Redchurch Street Shoreditch (they ship internationally too).
Play & stay in Shoreditch
Terence Conran's Albion Caff and The Boundary hotel is a contemporary cornerstone on Redchurch & Boundary Streets. Part cafe, food store, bakery and all round cool spot to soak up the Shoreditch style you can find things like ginger sponges, jam fancies, mushy peas and bangers & mash on the menu ... an offer that I might describe as modern Brit basics or contemporary noshtalgia (soz, couldn't help myself). 2-4 Boundary Street Shoreditch.
Well I never
Love the name. According to Google it's an indie recording studio. Just off Redchurch St Shoreditch.
Boil the kettle
Labour and Wait is a modern version of a hardware / homewares store that stocks simple things like enamel pots and plates, brooms and scrubbing brushes if you feel the need to expend some elbow grease and other useful bits and pieces for keeping your house and garden nice. Naturally you want to look cool as you clean and a striped long sleeve Breton sailor tee is the way to do it. With an emphasis on handmade and good old fashioned values you can find Labour and Wait at 85 Redchurch St Shoreditch.
