What to buy from Old Stone Trade

Old Stone Trade denim

While luxury fashion brands seem to be in meltdown, it feels like we’re rediscovering the joy of really good clothes. Considered cuts, well-made, and respectfully priced so their makers get paid decently. That’s the ethos of Old Stone Trade, a niche online marketplace that’s been going viral on SubStack.

It’s a simple premise. Niche artisan makers sell classic, small-batch Americana-leaning designs such as a satin-collared tuxedo, Aran knitwear and ivory wool trousers (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Brands, Business of fashion, Design, Designers, News, Online shopping, Retail concepts, Shopping, Trends craft, denim, gentlewoman style, Glenn's Denim, Melissa Ventosa Martin, Nanna Pause, shopping

14 November, 2022

On my radar: Abask, your new design destination

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…)

Disneyrollergirl 2 Comments Brands, Design, Designers, News, Online shopping, Retail concepts, Trends Abask, Carl Auböck, Couturelab, craft, design, Gio Ponti, retail concepts, The Garnered, The New Craftsmen

18 August, 2022

On artisan sneakers and the repair and re-wear movement

Drake's Doek sneaker

While I was picking up Mr DRG’s birthday present from Drake’s last month (excellent service if I may say so), I was instantly attracted to these Doek canvas sneakers (above). In an array of primary colours, these Japanese beauties (particularly the blue) have the elegant almond toe and easy demeanour of a 60s Vans, but with a slightly chunkier sole and a cork footbed. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 1 Comment Brands, Business of fashion, Design, News, Trends craft, Doek, Drakes, gentlewoman style, Golden Goose, shoes, sustainability, trainers

23 June, 2022

Trend report: Connolly AW22

Connolly aw22

How soon is too soon to talk about AW22 tweed winter coats and handknit sweaters? I’m writing this during a June heatwave but by the time I finish, we could well be buried in a freak ice storm. This is London, anything could happen.

This is the AW22 collection from Connolly which I was fortunate enough to witness up close at the Clifford Street store a couple of weeks ago. God, it was heaven. Connolly is a unique store anyway, in a quiet 1719 townhouse selling fashion (by which I mean impeccably crafted clothes) alongside art, homewares and luxury leather goods in a welcoming home-from-home setting. The clothes are designed by Marc Audibet with knitwear designed by Lorraine Acornley, who I know from her previous work with Begg & Co. (more…)