Wee Birdy

Sneak Peek: Tracey Neuls + Sanderson shoes

Chintz has never looked so chic since London shoe designer Tracey Neuls got her hands on Sanderson's reissued vintage textiles.

This somewhat surprising collaboration between the British heritage wallpaper company, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, and one of London's more avant-garde shoe designers will coincide with London Fashion Week next month.

Neuls' gallery-like Marylebone Lane shop (read my shop tour here) will be transformed into an eccentric English tea party, complete with a large-scale installation by sculptor Nina Saunders. And apparently birds will be involved - I await with baited breath!

Admittedly, I've got a soft spot for Neuls' rubber-soled shoes, as her mid-height heels are about as high as I can go with my rotten old arthritic toes. It hasn't been easy finding anything attractive I can actually wear, with season after season of increasingly vertiginous heels. So I can't wait to see what she's done with Sanderson's prints - her signature sculptural silhouettes combined with her penchant for dramatic contrast piping will give the chintzy florals a quirky edge. 

'Most Curious'
Footwear from Tracey Neuls
Sculptural installation from Nina Saunders
To celebrate Sanderson's 150th Anniversary
From 17 February 2010 to 30 June 2010
Tracey Neuls
29 Marylebone Lane
London W1U 2NQ
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Click here for more Wee Birdy shop reviews on Marylebone Lane.

Birdy pick of the week

Enamel bird pendants, from £75, by New Zealand jewellery designer Kirstin Ash at KJ's Laundry.
Click here for more birdy picks.

Top Bird's top London picks: Christmas shopping

The Christmas countdown has begun, and this year retailers are pulling out all stops to entice you to spend, spend, spend. But if you, like me, are looking for something a little special and unique, give the high street a miss and head to one of London's independent Christmas shopping nights. Here's my round-up of the very best...

1. The best for … checking off your present list
Christmas on Cheshire Street
Winning my vote for this year’s best Christmas shopping poster, featuring a rather charming Pearly King by East London illustrator Paul Bommer (above), Cheshire Street is off to a great start. But it’s the line-up of shops that are the main prize here, with some of London’s very best independent shopping on offer. Christmas present ideas range from luxe handmade leather bags (Mimi) to contemporary homewares (Ella Doran) with Wee Birdy favourites including Labour and Wait, Shelf, Dragana Perisic, and Mar Mar Co. There will be mulled wine, mince pies and special offers including 15 per cent discount off all purchases at Mimi.

Christmas on Cheshire Street
Thursday 4 and Friday 5 December 2008
6pm - 9pm
Cheshire Street, E2
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

2. The best for … festive neighbourhood atmosphere
Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays

By far my favourite Christmas shopping event last year, I revelled in the warm glow of Columbia Road’s shops which illuminated a particularly dark and foggy East London night. And with a glass of mulled wine in one hand and a sprig of fresh mistletoe in the other, I was merrily on my way. The live music and neighbourly atmosphere generated by this small community of independent retailers is a welcome point of difference from the anonymity of the high street, with mince pies and glasses of festive cheer on offer in all the shops. And Christmas present shopping is a cinch with 40 independent shops, including Ryantown, Supernice and Sharon Elphick offering everything from jewellery, hats, vintage clothes, antiques, toys, cakes, fragrance, sweets, chocolates, art and furniture.

Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays
Columbia Road, E2
Wednesdays 3, 10, and 17 December 2008
5pm - 9pm
Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street

3. The best for … cool design gifts
East London Design Show
With an extensive line-up of products by British and international designers, you’re guaranteed to find some seriously good gift options at The East London Design Show. This annual event on the Shoreditch Town Hall calendar promises brand new talent from Mexico, Moscow, Holland and Italy. Christmas present ideas include jewellery, ceramics, furniture, children’s clothes and toys.

East London Design Show
Thursday 4 December to Sunday 7 December 2008
Shoreditch Town Hall
380 Old Street
London EC1V9LT
Admission: £4 Concessions: £2, children under 15 free.
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

4. The best for … the coolest craft
Bust Christmas Craftacular
Hooray for BUST magazine’s decision to hold its very first London Christmas Craftacular (just ignore me while I crash to the floor in a dead faint). Craftacular is set to be huge with BUST cherry-picking over 25 British crafters for the event. Expect to find only the coolest local crafty talent around with rich pickings for one-of-a-kind Christmas presents. There will also be fun line-up of classes, live demonstrations, DJs, drinks and dancing.

BUST Christmas Craftacular
Saturday 6 December 2008
12 noon – midnight
St. Aloysius Social Club
Phoenix Road, London NW1
Admission: £2
Nearest tube: Euston

Thanks to Basil Exposition for the tip!

5. The best for… wrapping it all up
The Design Museum Sparkle the Dark Up

With an excellent line-up of design-led products and books catering for all budgets, the Design Museum shop is a Wee Birdy favourite for unique gifts like gorgeous Suki stationery and Ed Carpenter’s pigeon light. Join in a workshop on the night and learn how to make "designer-style" gift wrapping, tags and cards. The museum will provide all the materials you need - fun! There will also be music and free wine for extra Christmas cheer.

Design Museum Design Overtime
Friday 5 December 2008
Until 10pm (last admission 9.15pm)
Shad Thames, London SE1
Nearest tube: London Bridge

 6. The best for … late night shopping in central London:
Marylebone Lane
As many of you will know, Wee Birdy has a particular soft spot for Marylebone Lane and its line-up of fashion, shoes, interiors, beauty and accessories. Escape the crazy crowds on Oxford Street and take advantage of great discounts (including a 15 per cent discount at Content Beauty/Wellbeing and 30 per cent off all purchases at KJ's Laundry), festive food, drink and a brass brand. I’ll be checking out VV Rouleaux for some pretty ribbons to decorate my brown-paper Christmas parcels.

Marylebone Lane Christmas shoppping night
Thursday December 4 2008
4pm - 8pm
Marylebone Lane, W1
Nearest tube: Bond Street

7. The best for … last minute shopping
The Super Christmas Market at Somerset House
If you’ve left your Christmas shopping 'til the last minute, resist the urge to high-tail it to the high street and head to Somerset House on the Strand instead. Here you’ll find 20 of Britain’s hottest young designers, including Martino Gamper, Tatty Devine, Lady Luck Rules OK and Gitta Gschwendter offering a host of ultra-affordable gifts, starting at just £5. Learn to make some stocking fillers with Kandy Diamond, or try your luck in the snowball-throwing competition and win some limited edition Lady Lucky Rules OK jewellery (see above).

The Super Christmas Market
Friday 19 December 2008, 6 – 9 pm
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December 2008, 10am – 6pm
Somerset House, Strand
London, WC2R 1LA.
Admission £2, which includes entrance to the ‘Wouldn’t it be nice…’ exhibition.
Nearest tube: Holborn, Embankment, Temple

8. The best for … local and handmade
We Make Christmas
With all things crafty and handmade big news for Christmas, head to this Christmas market for unique and one-off items by local London designer-makers. Bringing the world of Etsy to life, you’ll find a range of gift including jewellery, fashion, art, toys and children’s clothing. There will also be food stalls, carol singing, craft competitions and demonstations. Look out for Miss Bunny's hand-painted shoes (see left), Bombus homewares and Littlechook’s vintage fabric cushions.

We Make Christmas
Saturday 6 December 2008
11am – 5pm
The American Church
79a Tottenham Court Road
London W1
Nearest tube: Goodge Street

Christmas lights up London

I went for a stroll around central London and Marylebone last night, and found that it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. My vote for the most charming Christmas window? The vintage decoration display in the window at Content Beauty/Wellbeing (above). I don't know how store owner, Imelda Burke, managed to colour-co-ordinate so many beautiful vintage glass decorations, but she did a mighy fine job. So pretty.

I also really liked the sculptural magazine "tree" in the window at KJ's Laundry...

In terms of sheer scale and magnificence, Selfridges have surpassed themselves with a rather anti-credit crunch theme of "the more the merrier", featuring Santa in 19 different window installations.

Santa at the cinema...

Santa gets a beard trim...

Santa takes the Tube...

Santa does his laundry...

Santa goes to the disco...

Santa has a bubblebath...

Santa takes tea...

Santa goes shopping...

Santa eats sushi...

while Oxford Street goes twinkle, twinkle...

and St Christopher's Place goes sparkle, sparkle...

I LOVE this time of the year.

Top London tea spots: Paul Rothe & Son

This traditional café-deli is one of my favourite places to relax with a good cuppa and a sandwich after hitting the shops on Marylebone Lane. The shop itself dates back to 1900, and it still retains that old-fashioned charm of the village grocer.

I really dig the old-school caff set-up inside, complete with ‘60s laminate tables and folding leatherette chairs. The place gets packed during lunch hours with local workers flocking for the daily fresh soup and line-up of delicious sandwiches (my pick is egg on rye, but the Austrian liptauer and kummelkase are legendary).

A good cuppa, egg sandwich and Time Out ... happy, happy.

The walls are stacked with jams, chutneys and relishes, but I’m here precisely because it’s the antithesis of your Prets, Starbucks, Café Neros, et al. You’ll always find Paul Rothe and son donning their traditional white deli coats behind the counter, and the tea is a straight-forward, no-frills, honest-to-goodness brew. I will never grow tired of this place, it’s an absolute London gem.

Paul Rothe & Son
35 Marylebone Lane
London, W1U 2NN
Tel. 020 7935 6783
Nearest tube: Bond Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 11:30am - 5:30pm Sat
Closed Sunday

Click here for more shops in Marylebone

“My Secret London” with Jane Ellis from KJ’s Laundry

In the latest instalment of “My Secret London”, Jane Ellis from Marylebone’s award-winning independent fashion boutique, KJ’s Laundry, spills the secret London addresses from her little black book.

Best for a bargain? Brick Lane, East London.

Best for vintage? Hammersmith Vintage Fair.

Best for fashion? Shop at Bluebird.

Best for jewellery? Kabiri.

Best for interiors and gifts? Mint.

Best for beauty and skincare? Liberty beauty hall.

Best for kids? Blossom.

Best for stationery? Smythson.

Any other favourites? Chapel Market.

Your number one London shopping secret? La Fromagerie in Marylebone.

Best London souvenir? A retro poster from the Transport Museum.

Favourite place to eat? Yauatcha.

Click here for a Wee Birdy map of Jane’s secret London addresses.
Check out the latest collections online at KJ’s Laundry.

Huge thanks and wee birdy kisses to Jane for her generous tips and advice.

London shopping: Content Beauty/Wellbeing

Oh Marylebone, how I do love thee? Let me count the ways.* Actually, I’ve already waxed lyrical several times over some of the ways – via some of the best independent shops in London that call Marylebone home. And here’s another one to add to that list: Content Beauty/Wellbeing (quite a timely addition being Organic Fortnight and all, making a visit to Imelda Burke’s luxury eco beauty boutique all the more relevant).

Content Beauty/Wellbeing is the first of its kind in London, with a carefully edited selection of certified organic skincare and make-up gracing its certified sustainable wooden shelves. You can rest assured there’s not a smidgen of synthetic nasties in here, with Imelda paying more than lipservice to her ecological commitment. Not only does she choose each brand for their superior organic properties, but she also thoroughly investigates their eco-credentials through each stage of production.

It’s impressive stuff, and so is the boutique itself, with cupboard doors made from recycled vending machine coffee cups, and vintage powder compacts serving as door handles. It’s a curiously inviting modern space, where the minimalist sexy black walls (organic paint, natch) merge with a collage of found objects, old-fashioned botanical illustrations, Victorian postcards and pressed flowers. I also love the collection of Imelda’s vintage hand mirrors from the 20s and 50s, which are hung on the wall next to the Jane Iredale make-up counter. Such a lovely way to admire your new look.

 

Then there’s the 1920s photo album/sketch book which Imelda found at a market and uses as the store’s mailing list book. Flick through the pages of customers’ details and you’ll find the odd page with an endearing drawing or painting by the original owner.
 

As for the products themselves, well, they’re the heroes standing in all their premium organic glory. Here you’ll find niche British organic skincare brands like ila (the Face Oil for Glowing Radiance has a cult following), Laidbare and Inlight joining international brands such as Dr Hauschka, Suki, and Dr Alkaitis. Top picks include Saaf Organic Pure Face Cleanser (£24.99) Dr Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel (£36), and Organic Apoteke Rasayana Rejuvenating Serum (£49.95). More credit-crunch friendly picks include Laidbare’s Grapefruit Seed Body Wash (£12), Henry Tianus Pore Purifier (£8.50) and Butter London’s formaldehyde-free nail varnishes (£10).

 
Check out the website for online shopping and more info about the treatment room downstairs which offers excellent Dr Alkaitis facials (as Jess G. from Cult Beauty said, it’s the only place in London to get them).

* With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who is actually a former resident of Marylebone (at 50 Wimpole Street) and married Robert Browning at St Marylebone Parish Church.

Content Beauty/Wellbeing
14 Bulstrode Street
London W1U 2JG
Tel. 020 3075 1006

Nearest tube: Bond Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10.30am - 6pm

Click here for more shops in Marylebone.

London shopping: KJ's Laundry

Another outstanding gem on Marylebone Lane, KJ’s Laundry boasts a covetable mix of up-and-coming as well as established designers sourced from around the globe.

This year they added two more jewels to their shiny crown, in the form of Time Out London’s Shopping Award for Best Local Boutique, and ‘Best Boutique’ in the inaugural London Fashion Awards, which is supported by the British Fashion Council.

For me, it’s the place to head if I’m after a good frock that no-one else will be wearing – keep an eye out for designs by New York’s Richard Ruiz and Alice Ritter, as well as London’s Suzannah and Pink Soda.  Then there’s Vivienne Westwood’s Anglomania label, feminine and chic pieces by Cacharel, and some sleek Scandi design by Sweden’s Filippa K.

Top row: Susannah; Bottom row: Pink Soda

It’s also nice to see a good representation of Australian designers, including accessories by Ginger & Smart, basic essentials for layering by Metalicus, sharp tailoring by Carl Kapp, pretty-meets-quirky pieces by Alice McCall and hand-finished fabrics by Lee Matthews.

I really like the girlish retro-inspired and ultra-wearable pieces by French label Eurythmic, an off-shoot of Paul & Joe, and the new trench coats by Canadian label Mackage. Think classic with an edge.

The front cabinet houses a delectable range of gold and silver jewellery, including a delicate sand dollar necklace by Catherine Weitzmann (£40), gold feather necklace by Alex Monroe (£79), and coral necklace by Tracey Matthews (£70).

Left: Alex Monroe's feather necklace; right: Tracey Matthews' coral necklace

There’s also a small assortment of homewares and bits and bobs, including Becky Oldfield’s reworked vintage Union Jack cushions (£55) – swoon! The online shop is also well worth a click.

KJ’s Laundry
74 Marylebone Lane
London W1
Tel. 020 7486 78551

Nearest tube: Bond Street

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10am – 7pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm

Click here for more shops in Marylebone Lane.

All images courtesy of KJ's Laundry.

London shopping: Tracey Neuls

Today we’re heading back to Marylebone Lane and the bijou boutique at number 29 which is home to Tracey Neuls and her eponymous collection of shoes.

I’ve often walked past the window and marvelled at the Canadian designer’s unconventional approach to visual merchandising. Here, shoes are displayed like an installation, hanging in rows from the ceiling.

The artsy connection doesn’t end there. The shoes really are “pieces” and reflect the designer’s taste for the theatrical. Her premium Tracey Neuls label is beautifully hand-crafted in Italy with extraordinary attention to detail. But unlike a pretentious hands-off gallery, these elegant shoes are utterly wearable, with lots of low hand-carved conical wooden heels and flats (joyous news for this arthritic ol’ birdy!).

The current Tracey Neuls summer collection (on its way out and on sale with 30 per cent off) features lots of patent leather in ripe, juicy colours like apple green, sky blue and cherry, with distinctive girlish and vintage-inspired details including contrast piping, oversized buttons, duplicate buckles and peep-toes.

Her other label, TN_29, is made in Portugal and showcases a more muted, neutral palette with a less “produced” quality. I love the soft leather tie-front sandals in tan and black.

Apart from shoes, there’s a selection of tights and soft, slouchy leather bags in black, red and grey with covetable circular wooden handles. Neuls is also the only English stockist for German designer Girl and the Gorilla’s range of delicate crocheted headbands (£40), cotton crocheted gloves (£75) and wrist bands.

There’s also a changing line-up of artists taking residence on the shop’s walls, reinforcing the notion of shop-come-gallery.

Overseas readers will be pleased to hear they can purchase online, with the new Autumn/Winter collection hitting the website soon. Stay tuned…

Tracey Neuls
29 Marylebone Lane, London
United Kingdom, W1U 2NQ
Tel: 0207 935 0039

Nearest tube: Bond Street

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 11am – 6.30pm
Monday and Sunday 12 noon – 5pm

For more shops in Marylebone, click here.
For more shops in West London, click here.

London shopping: VVRouleaux

VVRouleaux is London’s legendary emporium of ribbons, trimmings and braids, and oh, so much more. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes you bug-eyed with excitement, recalling childhood days of coveting ribbons, buttons and other “fancy” bits and bobs to add to your most precious and treasured collection.

But it’s the grown-ups who flock to this beautiful bazaar of inspiration for specialist ribbons sourced from all over the world, like Japanese organdie and French wire-edged taffetas in every shade imaginable.

In fact the large light-filled entry-level room in the Marylebone store is literally a Pantone book come to life, with reels of ribbons in every size, pattern and colour. No wonder brides make a bee-line to the store for that exact shade of caramel to work their bridesmaids’ sashes back to the reception chair tie-backs.

Speaking of brides, there are double-sided velvet ribbons which make perfect belts and sashes, as well as double-sided Japanese satin ribbons. And downstairs, there’s a fabulous collection of vintage bridal accessories, including hand-made veils, headpieces, hats and birds (birds!) from the late 1950s.

Ribbons aside, there’s a glorious range of silk, organza and velvet roses in a myriad of fashion shades, as well as a vast collection of fancy feathers. Apparently the shop does a roaring trade in June and July during racing and wedding season.

Don’t miss the tables crammed with vintage pieces like hand-crocheted butterflies and clusters of velvet violets (I spied the same violets behind a glass cabinet at the Golden Age of Couture exhibition at the V&A). I particularly love the selection of vintage French earrings and hair combs as well as the double-sided velvet belts with vintage buckles (from £14.95), delicate feather brooches (from £12.95) and bird decorations (from £3.95).

Downstairs is haberdashery heaven, dedicated to heavier furnishings like acrylic and glass tassles in traditional and modern colours, as well as vintage braids, faux-fur trims, cotton lace trims, and leather and suede ribbons for fashion and furnishing. I found a bunch of Chanel-style braids that would make chic suit edging. There’s also an extensive range of wax cords in all shades, which was raided by the wardrobe department from Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

From October onwards, the store introduces its Christmas collection, with tree ornaments, wreaths, garlands and berries for decorating the home.

For more inspiration, buy a copy of owner/creative director Annabel Lewis’ new book, Ribbons & Trims, for £20.

VVRouleaux
www.vvrouleaux.com


LONDON
102 Marylebone Lane
London W1U 2QD
Tel: 020 7224 5179
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday (excluding Weds) 9.30am-6pm
Wednesday 10.30am-6pm
Nearest tube: Bond Street and Baker Street

For more shops in W1, click here.
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

54 Sloane Square
Cliveden Place
London
SW1W 8AX
Tel: 020 7730 3125
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday (excluding Weds) 9.30am-6pm
Wednesday 10.30am-6.30pm
Nearest tube: Sloan Square

For more shops in SW1, click here.