This blog has literally been in my head for some weeks
now, but due to work commitments I just haven’t had time to jot it down. My absence has been due to a major change at
Fashion Dispensary. We have moved our
ever growing menswear to the larger floor area and women’s brands have been
edited and relocated in the rear of the shop look out towards the adjacent
courtyard garden.
Six weeks ago marked our final buying trip to London for
autumn/winter 2013. It was a bitterly
cold day and threatening to snow, but better than trudging around London in
rain. The main purpose of the visit was an
appointment with a new agency to secure more men’s brands, later we went on to
Scotch & Soda to order the kids range Scotch R’Belle & Scotch
Shrunk. We introduced kids last autumn –
we weren’t really considering children’s clothes, but customers kept asking for
the Scotch & Soda kids, as demand was obviously there it was a yes, and it’s
been a hit from the word go!
These days we always travel to London by train, First GreatWestern has the best deals. The journey from
Tetbury is easy; Kemble station is only a ten minute drive. The journey is quicker and cheaper and a
welcome release from the hassle and stress of driving.
Arriving at Paddington we headed via tube over to Old Street
Station. As we walked towards Hoxton
Square for the first appointment a tall very attractive blond haired girl was
waving and smiling at us – suddenly it clicked, it was Lauren (Lauren Taylor Jewellery ) a friend we hadn’t seen for over three years since she split with
her boyfriend in Tetbury and returned to London. It was the highlight of the day, she looked
radiant & happy – recently engaged and due to be married, and it was also
confirmed later that day the first baby is due in August. Fate must have taken a hand that day as we
had earlier discussed the fact the Lauren’s sister lives in Hoxton Square.
I’ve never been to Hoxton Square before, just walking around
you can get the vibe that it’s an achingly cool place to be! At the agency we ordered ‘Gant Rugger’ easy
to wear clothes, well made, good price and has a point of difference. Also ‘Fidelity’ a heritage brand that still
makes the Pea Coats for the American Navy – looking forward to these brands hitting
the shop floor in the autumn. After the
appointment we headed over to Shoreditch, an absolute mecca for the hippest
trendies. Think girl’s in skinny jeans
& biker jackets, guys in skinnies with the obligatory fashion accessory – ‘facial
hair’ either full set beard or Edwardian style waxed moustache. This area has got it all, cool independent shops,
cafes & grungy vintage emporiums.
Just the perfect place for people watching, sadly we didn’t have long to
linger as our next appointment beckoned.
I have to say autumn/winter Scotch kids have to be one of
their strongest collections yet - wanted it all! But we have to be sensible and
order what we feel will sell in Tetbury.
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| Hoxton Square |
Appointments done there was still some free time left. As a rule The Wolseley is a favourite
destination but owners Chris Corbin and Jeremy King have opened another
European style Grand Café in nearby Piccadilly ‘Brasserie Zedel’ in Sherwood
Street an all-day Parisian brasserie with an American bar and a live music and
cabaret venue. We thought we would give
it a go; the brasserie is located in what was once the ballroom of the long
defunct Regent Hotel. The huge columned ballroom
has been restored to its former glory.
Lots of pink vein marble and 23ct gilding – very opulent and beautiful
to look at, but I prefer the more muted masculine tones of the Wolseley. The menu is extensive and exceptionally good
value for central London – soup £2.22p!
A la carte main courses £7.95 - £19.50 or daily menu 2 courses £8.75 – 3
courses £11.25. At these prices the 220
covers will be full at peak times. As we
were eating later that evening we settled for puddings & coffee! Floating Islands & Vanilla Bavarois with
rhubarb – both were absolutely delicious.
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| Floating Islands |
The biggest buzz in the restaurant world is the opening of
Balthazar in Russell Street, we hadn’t been to Covent Garden for a while so
decided to head over and have a look. Balthazar is the brainchild of London born
Keith McNally who for the last three decades has made a name for himself with a
string of very successful restaurants in New York culminating with the now
legendary Balthazar in 1997. He now
feels the time is right for London to experience his take on a Parisian style brasserie. When we visited it was still in the hands of
decorators and stylists, but next door the bakery had opened that day. It is beautifully authentic with its period
fittings and colour scheme – so much so that it looked like it could have been established
for over 100 years! The February issue
of House & Garden featured Keith McNally’s stunningly quirky London home in
Notting Hill. I’ve posted some shots of
this delightful home
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| Keith McNally's Home |
