Fancy a little piece of country living right here in the capital? London has inspiration in spades, as this look at five shops and boutiques in Islington shows
1 FOLKLORE
We were very curious visitors back in 2012 when Folklore opened on Upper Street and we are delighted to see it thriving still today thanks to its simple ethos of better living is possible through design. They believe in making a difference through their products focusing on materials, process and sources, which represents a sustainable approach that can lead to lasting change. It’s not just a worthy message as their shop is always a veritable feast for the heart and soul, as shown by their own label range that has just launched, featuring some very country terracotta ceramics and quilts. Everything about Folklore just makes you feel good about the world.
193 Upper StreetN1 1RQ; 020 7354 9333; shopfolklore.com
2 JIGSAW
There are plenty of shops that fulfil the men’s and women’s fashion needs under one roof, but how often do you see (typically) the men hanging around, looking rather bored and trying desperately not to be caught looking at some rather too risqué? We’ve been there and done it (including the risqué bit), so hallelujah to Jigsaw for having a dedicated men’s store on Upper Street and women’s shop down the fabulous Cross Street. Their AW15 offering certainly features plenty to get you into the country spirit, from tartan slim shirts to gorgeous luxury wrap coats. The final piece of the jigsaw indeed.
See more at jigsaw-online.com
3 BRORA
We can’t believe Brora has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary on Upper Street, mainly because it seems to have been around for much longer than that. It’s a proper fixture towards the top end of Upper Street and certainly does Brora founder Victoria Stapleton proud with its much-vaunted cashmere collections. This is as country as you can get, from its on-trend output to the fact all their cashmere is made by their mill in the Scottish borders. They are passionate about ‘made in Britain’ and also believe in sustainable fashion, selling beautiful clothing that can be worn season after season – so you can look the part 24/7.
186 Upper StreetN1 1RQ; 0845 659 9944; brora.co.uk
4 LOST PROPERTY OF LONDON
One of our recent top finds… Lost Property of London has only been live since opening its flagship store on Cross Street last December and already they are causing quite a stir. So when we were thinking about country inspiration, we thought we’d check them out again – and were not left disappointed. Some of their new bags caught the eye, made with a gorgeous Scottish wool and leather, in particular the Miles travel bag and Rivington Folio Rucksack. For women, the Arlington – a classic saddle bag in Tan Leather with equestrian-style hardware – is a modern update on country style. If you haven’t discovered Lost Property of London yet, here’s your cue.
For more details visit lostpropertyoflondon.com
5 BRAMWELL BROWN
The clocks go back on 25 October – sob – so you may as well as cheer yourself up at the onset of winter with a brand new timepiece from Bramwell Brown. A company founded by brother and sister team Rob and Sarah Leigh-Bramwell, it was in the former’s Angel kitchen that their Weather Clock was invented, a new imagining of the traditional Barometer. Measuring the change in atmospheric pressure and translating this into a ‘Mechanimated’ forecast of Very Dry, Fair, Change, Rain or Stormy Weather, not only is it very handy when deciding on what to wear on any given day, but it’s rustic look will suit any home with a country feel.
Available to buy from bramwellbrown.com
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