Retail concepts

On my radar: Abask, your new design destination



Abask interiors

Heads-up: there’s a fab new e-commerce platform getting a lot of attention right now.

As fashion and beauty online retail have become saturated, as well as an overall fatigue with trends in consuming, it makes sense that some are shifting interests to interiors, a somewhat slower pace of taste signalling – for now.

Abask is the brainchild of Matchesfashion co-founder Tom Chapman and former ecommerce director Nicolas Pickaerts. Its premise is room-themed edits of lovingly-crafted artisanal pieces – whether new, vintage or antique. I’m all about the Study*, where desk-destined Murano glass paperweights* sit alongside Carl Auböck brass knick-knacks* and exquisite vintage fountain pens*. (more…)



On Joopiter, style storytelling and investment dressing for the hype set



Joopiter by Pharrell Williams

Hot retail news of the month so far comes from Pharrell Williams’ new online auction platform, Joopiter. “Pioneering a modern collecting economy”, it’s a way to sell off his extensive (11-storage units worth) archive of cultural artefacts, while the site simultaneously serves as an online archive of the archive, complete with content to add cultural clout to the pieces.

The first sale goes live next week (but previews from today here) and will consist of one-off items such as an 18k gold Jacob & Co BlackBerry (est sale price $15k-$25k) and blinged-out Swarovski-ed Stan Smiths (est sale price $2,500-$3,500).

Why should we care? (more…)



Is this the ultimate jean?



APC L'Etiquette jeans

I haven’t bought APC jeans for quite a few years. The last pair were beautifully rigid but too boxy everywhere so I hardly wore them. But always loved the quality of their non-stretch denim.

This APC collab with L’Etiquette (the best mag in France) might change all that. (more…)



Lucas Ossendrijver for Theory Project has landed



Theory Project by Lucas Ossendrijver

Quick heads-up, the Theory Project collection* by Lucas Ossendrijver has landed. It looks pretty good and there seem to be plenty of sizes in stock (the twill trousers* seem popular though).

I’m all about the classics (here’s a re-cap), which I’ve linked in the shopping gallery below for easy access. Any faves? (more…)