5 August, 2013

Ever wondered how Smythson business cards are made…?

Smythson-Factory main

I took a trip to the Smythson workshops to find out how their famous business cards are made

Shock confession: in six years of freelancing I haven’t had a business card. The shame! I’ve somehow survived on the dual methods of LinkedIn requests and pitiful scraps of Moleskine paper but that only gets you so far. Much better, I decided, to step things up and investigate the process of designing and printing bespoke business cards. Not just any business cards you understand, but the ultimate in luxury and elegance – Smythson’s copperplate printed cards. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 4 Comments Brands, Design, Video bespoke, brands, craft, design, factory visit, heritage, how it's made, long read, luxury, Smythson, stationery

16 May, 2013

Workshop visit: The Hermes silk scarf workshops in Lyon

Hermes-Festival-Des-Metiers

“It takes two years to make and two minutes to buy!” So says Kamel Hamadou, the affable communications manager of Hermès silk, hosting a rare tour of the company’s silk printing facilities in Lyon. Two weeks ago I was invited on a whirlwind trip to learn the many meticulous stages of making one of those familiar silk ‘carrés’ of which I’m the proud owner of a few, neatly folded and stored in their equally familiar flat orange boxes.

My most astonishing discovery? The utter complexity of printing involved in a silk scarf of many colours. The average scarf has around 30 colours, of which each shade has its own precise mixing process. The printing itself has to be seen to be believed, but next week, you’ll have the chance to see it all when Hermès’ Festival Des Metiers lands on the London leg of its world tour. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 6 Comments Brands, Design, Events, Technology accessories, behind the scenes, craft, exhibitions, factory visit, heritage, Hermes, how it's made, long read, luxury, scarves

8 March, 2013

Guest post: The newly-launched ‘& Other Stories’ celebrates individual (street) style

No-one does the high street better than the Brits, except possibly the Swedes! Well, H&M in particular. Launching today is H&M’s new brand, & Other Stories. Here’s the verdict from guest contributor, LSN Global retail editor, ALISON BISHOP

So, the new retail concept & Other Stories by H&M has finally launched (in London first, natch), and it seems there is room for another fashion retail concept on the high street. & Other Stories lives up to its premium product pitch in terms of ‘style over fast-fashion’. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 4 Comments Beauty, Brands, Business of fashion, Design, Designers, Events, Online shopping, Retail concepts, Trends & Other Stories, Alison Bishop, beauty, Bill Cunningham, guest blog, H&M, high street, long read, LSN Global, retail concepts, retail news, street style, The Future Laboratory

30 April, 2012

How are Hermes bags made? A visit to the Hermes workshops in Paris

How are Hermes bags made and why are they so expensive? If you, like me have pondered this while fawning over a £4000 Constance or a £6000 Birkin then I can finally answer with conviction. (more…)