brands

The next step for DeMellier bags: Apple ‘leather’



Demellier New York tote small grained leather

An interesting update in WWD on handbag brand, DeMellier*. On track to become a $50 million business, the article puts the brand’s success down to a number of factors with a focus on price point and ethics. (more…)



On my radar: Outsiders Store



Outsiders Store Coal Drops Yard

I was wondering why no-one had invented a stylish multi-brand gorpcore store, then I realised – they have. While visiting the Debby Byford roller skating exhibition in Coal Drops Yard, I discovered Outsiders Store, a very cool curation of performance outerwear, practical headgear, Rotato socks, Gramicci rope sandals, Snow Peak camping kit, plus a variety of modern outdoorism books and magazines like Les Others and Go Out. (more…)



Business of beauty: Ami Colé for melanin-rich skinimalists



Ami Cole Skin-enhancing Tint

New on my radar: Ami Colé. This beauty brand caught my eye a few weeks ago on Violet Grey*, first for its clean branding and packaging, followed by the subtly enhancing products – tinted moisturisers*, barely-there highlighter* and non-ashy loose powders in a spectrum of inclusive shades.

Founded by New Yorker Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye, it’s a far cry from the matte full coverage and ‘baked’ concealer aesthetic of recent years and sits somewhere between Glossier’s barely-there look and the gentle 90s glamour of Naomi Campbell (or what TikTok calls ‘UK Black Girl Make-up‘. (more…)



Old Burberry



The Queen wearing Burberry at Windsor Great Park in 1985 by Tim Graham via Vogue

Having an #oldburberry moment and thinking about the signature check in a classic old money outdoorsy context.

Kinda nailed by this old school photo of The Queen at Windsor Great Park in 1985 by Tim Graham. This was in the days when Burberry was more of a traditional British brand rather than a luxury brand. Still quietly well regarded, but not ‘fashion’ and definitely not ‘hype’. (more…)