Strand Book Store

Bring on Blazy’s Bottega (and his Strand book bags)



Bottega Veneta aw22 ad campaign Matthieu Blazy

The new Bottega Veneta AW22 ad campaign has dropped and its clearer than ever to see the commercial potential in Matthieu Blazy’s new vision. I never quite warmed to the clickbait-leaning Daniel Lee aesthetic – Blazy’s seems altogether more sophisticated.

I can see shades of Raf (in the knitwear) and Phoebe-era Celine in the classic-cool styling. There’s enough OG Bottega in the intrecciato leather bags* and is that a nod to Ghesquiere-era Balenciaga (where Blazy first interned) in the curvilinear tailoring and shoe shapes*? The campaign imagery is shot by a coterie of up-and-coming photographers, celebrating craft, community and travel. (more…)

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What do you do with your eco bags?



Strand Book Store tote



The LFW tents were awash with eco cotton totes and quite honestly, I think I’ve had enough. I’ve been using my own eco tote (OK, it’s not organic but it gets lots of use) all week – not out of concern for my carbon footprint but because I genuinely love this well-worn bag, bought on my first trip to NYC fourteen years ago at The Strand Book Store. I love the colour, the font, the fact that it holds memories and the fact that it’s a great size and looks better the shabbier it gets.

In the last year or so I’ve lost count of how many cotton totes I’ve been given at various press days, shop launches and fashion shows. What does one do with them? I’ve never got this thing about using them for groceries because my grocery shopping involves several big bags, not the odd baguette and a newspaper, and I don’t have enough shoulders to carry my weekly shop in those canvas totes. Plus, I know it’s not PC but I need those plastic Sainsburys carriers – I re-use them for my rubbish! What does everyone else do with these eco totes? Are you using them all?

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