Design

On eco-activism, who made your clothes and the third summer of love



Jim Marshall Photography

Are we about to enter the third Summer of Love? All the ingredients seem ripe for the mix; a groundswell of political activism, the legalise weed campaign, plus an overarching peace-n-love vibe from the youth contingent. The last week in London has seen peace protest camps from Extinction Rebellion plot up in Westminster, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, increasing eco-activism and awareness globally.

When I went to visit the Marble Arch camp on Saturday, it happened to be the same day as the 420 rally, with blazing sunshine, a carefree Glasto vibe and the distinct whiff of weed wafting across from Hyde Park. As with the recent anti-Brexit march, DJs and musicians lent their support to a rotating sound system so the likes of Massive Attack could show solitary to the cause. It was all rather groovy. (more…)



Gentlewoman style: Louis Vuitton cologne perfumes



Louis Vuitton cologne perfume

These new Louis Vuitton ‘colognes’ sound promising. There are three scents based on the California landscape and you can also buy these cute little cases if you’re into overpriced leather knick knacks (ahem – guilty!).

From top to bottom there’s Afternoon Swim (an effervescent cocktail of orange, mandarin and bergamot – and apparently a dupe for Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino) (more…)



Raf Simons on design, desire and the pace of fashion



Raf Simons Kvadrat

Raf Simons has pivoted to textile design. Kind of. Well, as a practitioner who doesn’t like to pigeonhole himself, that’s one of his focuses at the mo. Caroline Roux profiled him in this Observer story on the work he’s doing for Danish textile company Kvadrat, which was just shown at Milan Design Week. (Sidenote: we love our ‘Kvad-Raf’ cushions!) Here’s his thoughts on the sped-up pace of fashion. (more…)



Perfect pairing: Birkenstocks and chunky socks



Birkenstock Arizona

Warning! I’m about to go through a hippie phase. I’ve got the meditation app, I’m desperate for a poncho (but this Pendleton blanket will do for now) and I’m besotted with these shearling-lined Birkenstocks.

Never wanted Birkies before, now can’t think of anything else. (more…)