“Boat and Tote sales are up 30 percent over last year and have been one of the top drivers of new buyers this spring and summer. It’s been really fun seeing a new generation of customers taking our classic tote and making it their own.” L.L. Bean spokesperson, Amanda Hannah.
Everybody’s talking about how young peeps have co-opted the WASP-ish L.L. Bean Boat and Tote®* as a cheap-n-chic self-expression device. (more…)
Even though people are sniffy about trends, I still quite like tracking them. The trick is just to pay attention to the ones that work for you. So in this wee SS19 round-up, I’m deliberately ignoring anything overstatementy or hype-y that will have disappeared in a year. And instead homing in on the classics that have been reinvented or lifestyle movements that will impact how we live.
NOGO We’ve reached peak logo (sorry Gucci) and now it’s about deliberately unbranded products. I signed up to Italic last year, which is a membership-based direct-to-consumer company selling unbranded, yet high quality products that come straight from the factory. (more…)
I had my first Ormonde Jayne scent experience a few weeks ago, in the newly refurbished boutique in Royal Arcade, off Old Bond Street. The store has been in this little arcade for 17 years and founder Linda Pilkington told me that most of the arcade neighbours (think Paul Smith, Meyrowitz eyewear and Charbonnel & Walker) have been there just as long. Not only that, but there’s a community of other longstanding ‘residents’ of this part of Old Bond Street, who she has seen grow older up over the years. (more…)
I’ve witnessed some really bad examples of monogrammed fashion items lately; it’s actually quite a skill knowing how to add a name or initials to a garment or accessory. I like the way Sophie Hulme is doing it, with her new personalisation service. These appliqued leather letter placements (above) are part of her signature service that’s been unveiled at the equally new Burlington Arcade boutique. Made from stacked and compacted saddle leather, the raised letters sit on the surface of the bag making a visual statement. (more…)
