Magazine Addiction

I have to admit I am an absolute sucker for glossy magazines – sadly it’s an affliction I have suffered my entire adult life!  For many years I carted around boxes of magazines that I could not bear to part with, and after 14 house moves fate decided to take a hand.  Unknown to us, the then house had a natural spring under the garage floor, after an autumn of several weeks of rain the spring spouted forth!  The boxes holding the magazines were soaked leaving a proportion of the collection ruined.  As disappointed as I was it was apparent that I finally move on and stop hoarding.  A major clear-out was in order, surprisingly the experience was very therapeutic, plus we suddenly had a garage.  I still buy more magazines than I should, but the only title I now keep is ‘The World of Interiors’.  Other titles are passed on - better someone else enjoys the pleasure. 

Last weekend I was in Bath and bought a couple of the quarterly mags, issue 7 of ‘Port’, a global publication that mixes the traditional and contemporary, it is marked as ‘Intelligent’ magazine for men, yes it is very slick with well written and researched articles proving a very eclectic mix.  This issue has an interiors profile of the late ‘Joseph Ettedgui’ known as the creator of modern retail and who built the eponymous chain of ‘Joseph’ shops.  I have to say his stylish west London penthouse that he shared with his family is the model of elegant restraint as were his clothes.  The magazine’s editorial is different – one article that stands out is ‘Corpses’ a letter from New Orleans, recounting the problems of burying the deceased!  The closing page interview with Philip Parker, MD & head cutter at Henry Poole & Co in Savile Row is enlightening.

My other purchase was issue 14 of ‘Acne Paper’, published bi-annually by super cool Stockholm based fashion label Acne.  Initially it reminds me of the original Andy Warhol ‘Interview’ mag in format.  This issue is totally dedicated to the Manhattan district of New York, it’s a fairly weighty coffee table style book, printed on matt tactile paper.  The photographic layouts are absolutely superb.  There’s a funny and honest interview with ‘Simon Doonan’ creative ambassador for Barneys department store New York, his window displays always have the ability to shock and inspire.  Photo essays of New York movers & shakers by Brigitte Lacombe, a feature on the delicious Manhattan Cocktail, beautiful fashion shoot in Central park by Andreas Larsson.  There certainly is a lot to read in this gorgeous publication, plus it offers a wonderful insight to life in New York.

Shropshire Bound

All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy!  Recent days off from running the shop has been spent making major changes to what was the gift & accessories room.  It has been refurbished and fitted to accommodate relaxed casual footwear for men/women plus cool clothes for kids age 8 – 12 by must have label ‘Scotch & Soda’ mini me range ‘Shrunk Scotch’ & ‘Scotch Re Belle’.  Now that it’s finished a proper day off was needed. 

In a previous business of ours we stocked Baileys Homeware  & Garden, having only ordered stock at trade shows we had never visited their emporium near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.  Their recent award by The Telegraph Magazine as winner of ‘Best Homewares Retailer’ prompted me to think we should pay a visit.  From Tetbury it’s a fairly straightforward trip – only bottleneck is passing through Gloucester.  We arrived at Bridstow in 1.25 hours.  Baileys is housed in a cluster of sympathetically restored farm buildings.  The ethos of founders Mark & Sally is to recycle and reuse bringing life to old objects; in fact they have published two successful books on the subject.  The emporium is a series of quirky rooms full of simple, stylish not over designed items for the home – plus a wonderful selection of reconditioned vintage items.   The choice of products is amazing, from a mundane ball of string to a deep comfy sofa perfect for that duvet day.

We finished off the visit with a light lunch in the ‘Tabernacle Tearoom’ which is a reconstructed defunct corrugated-iron chapel  that has been turned in to a lovely light airy café.  Don’t expect gastro food & fancy coffees – just good honest homemade sandwiches, soup, and a selection of cakes, we had smoked chicken & rocket rolls, cafetiere of coffee – everything was delicious. 

Tabernacle Tearoom

After lunch we drove to Hay-on-Wye which is a favourite destination.  The journey is pleasant as the Welsh Border countryside is breathtakingly beautiful.  I find Hay-on-Wye is always busy even on a dull day as it was for us.  Hay is known as ‘The Town of Books’, every other shop is a bookseller – absolute mecca for bookworms!  Each year there is the ‘HayLiterary Festival’ with British & international authors giving talks about their latest works.  The town itself has an interesting mix of architectural styles; there is a strong bohemian vibe in the air – ideal for those who have a laidback attitude to life.  The journey home was approximately two hours.  Another point worth mentioning is that this part of England is landlocked without good motorway connections; property prices are lower, making this the perfect destination for those wanting to retreat & escape the speed of modern life.

Choccywoccydoodah

After spending a long but productive day visiting fashion agencies south & north of the Thames buying for spring/summer 2013 it was time for some respite.  We had a couple of hours before catching the late train home and decided to indulge in a little retail therapy.  First call was Selfridges; it always has a very invigorating vibe – loud music pumping out putting shoppers into a relaxed spending mood!  My mission was to find new spectacle frames, I have been looking for a while and as I wear them throughout the day I am particular about how they look so the style had to be right.  On the top floor is ‘David Clulow Opticals’, perfect for finding specs with a point of difference.  After several try-ons I finally settled for a pair of ‘Philippe Starck’ for Alain Mikli a French brand, strangely I had bought the same brand in Paris several years ago – probably the Francophile in me.  A must in Selfridges is the W.H. Smith concession, here you will find all the glossy fashion titles that are hard to track down, we bought issue 2 of Rankin ’Hunger’ mag and a new title ‘Bespoke’.  

Bosideng

Oxford street is always busy with pedestrians so we take a detour via South Molton Street, as you enter on the right is ‘Bosideng’ menswear store an amazing piece of architecture built on the site of  nondescript  60’s pub.  Next door is the legendary ‘Browns Fashion’ emporium, in the men’s window I spied a coat to covet by ‘Ann  Demeulemeester’ – it’s on my wish list.  Next stop was Liberty’s department store, our all-time favourite, never fails to inspire – really clever displays & stock chosen with an educated discerning eye.  At the back of Liberty’s is the world famous destination Carnaby Street and just off to the left is Fouberts Place.

  

Choccywoccydoodah

I had read about ‘Choccywoccydodah’ the quirky, fun, but very decadent cake/chocolate shop which started in Brighton.  The interior is totally off the wall & wacky; on sale are specialist one-off sculptured fantasy cakes & chocolate gifts.  I adore marshmallows and could not resist buying a large bag of fruit flavour ones.  It was time to head over to Paddington and home.  Our next London fix won’t be too long as we have to return a week later to finish our buying for spring/summer 2013.