Tokyo Bikes

Yes, it's been dead around here for quite a while. Apologies. I think postings will still be sporadic to say the least. Everyone's been busy doing their thing, I bought a flat and moved to SE London, so been busy settling in over there. Spring is here so I am cycling into work more again. I tried my utmost to cyle through the winter but it's dark, bloody freezing and joyless so I just went the public transport route. I have discovered the delights of Brixton as a result so every cloud etc.

Anyhow, we just got a bonus at work, a rare occurrence. I have been wanting to get a second bike to go with the Brompton but not been inspired with the choices on offer. Where I live it's hill central so a single speed is simply not an option, plus I am lazy and like gears. After some scrabbling around and much wailing and gnashing of teeth I found the rather wonderful Tokyo Bikes. Seems like they are a recently new outfit to London. I like their simplicity and utilitarian minimalist aesthetic. So I might just buy myself one, should the cost suit and the bike ride as nicely as it looks. Off to test one out tomorrow. They currently have a small workshop in E2 but are apparently opening a permanent shop next month...happy cycling.

Albam, Monmouth St

Albam go from strength to strength. They will shortly be opening a new store a stones throw from where I work (dangerous!) on Monmouth St, Covent Garden. Good luck with it all Albam peeps...

Archival Clothing Plain Musette

Cycling into work and carrying your stuff in a big rucksack is sometimes a pain, especially in the summer when you get a hot back and turn up to work all horrible and boiling. Fear not, I have the perfect 'no hot back' remedy in the shape of the Plain Musette from Archival Clothing. Here's the lowdown from the Archival peeps:

"Our Plain Musette is a simple envelope-style bag with a snap closure and fixed-length shoulder strap. The Plain Musette is a durable interpretation of the classic cycling musette, designed to ride high on the body. The 40 inch standard strap is ideal for most users, but a 44 inch strap is available if you are particularly broad-shouldered or prefer your Plain Musette to ride lower."

I have had mine for a few months and it's great, comes in a choice of colours, all waxed cotton canvas. Or if you fancy upgrading to super fancy there's always the Archival Flap Musette.

Archival clothing bags are available in the UK through Redsquare.

S.E.H Kelly

Just perchanced across this London based outlet. Looks like the clothes are only sold from their website - correct me if I am wrong. S.E.H Kelly design and create clothes with makers across the British Isles. Their output looks like a few key pieces including shirts, jacket and trousers and I like their aesthetic, just simple clean lines and detailing. Judging by some of the model shots their cuts are quite fitted so if you are tempted to place an order check the sizings supplied. Pictured are a few items that caught my eye although I like all of their stock to be honest.

Piccadilly Pleasures

Look...it's me banging on about Old Town again, that's because they're great. Check out Piccadilly Pleasures, a new addition to their website. A slideshow of dapper folk boozing it up at a very nice old pub - The Red Lion in St James. I am pretty certain this fella in the foreground works in Labour and Wait too.

Mid-Centuria

Just wanted to give a quick heads up for this great blog - Mid-Centuria. If you are into your modernist mid-century stuff then this is the place for you. Everything is catered for from Architecture, Commercial Art and Design to Sculpture and Ceramics. A veritable sweetshop of delights. Enjoy...

Supermarket own label

I am rather excited about this book, due out in September. A history of Sainsbury's supermarket 'own label' packaging from 1962 -1977. For some inexplicable reason as a child in the 1970s I had an intense fear of Sainsbury's, I used to have screaming fits whenever my mum took me in there, I can still recall the creeping dread as I walked towards the dark brick entrance. She once left me at the bread counter as she was so sick and tired of it. I am wondering if the brand colours monkeyed around with something primal in my child brain. Anyhow whatever it was I find it all rather pleasing now. Can't wait to pick up a copy...

blow-up sofa

I recently happened upon a really great cafe & shop on Shoreditch's ever-expanding Redchurch Street. I think Maria would especially love this place. It's called Cafe And. They have a little cafe in the back, with a few carefully-selected items for sale in the shop at the front (mostly things for the home, some foodstuffs, magazines and books). It feels almost like a Japanese cafe and it's a calm place to sit, read and have something to eat & drink.

But what really caught my eye is a replica of the couch from Antonioni's Blow-Up that is for sale (both a sofa and a loveseat). Pictured above, it's modeled after the couch in the photographer's flat/studio. I've always wanted to live in that flat, it's so damn cool ... maybe now my dream can come true??

Nathan Clark, shoe manufacturer, born 16 July 1916; died 23 June 2011

As it's been widely noted already Nathan Clarke, the creator of the classic Desert Boot passed away at the ripe old age of 95. There are some nice pieces about him over at OiPolloi and also The Guardian.

Archival feature

I was kindly asked to write a review of Old Town over at the Archival Clothing blog, go have a gander...