I know, I know – there’s Masterpiece, Christie’s, Sotheby’s etcetera all vying for your attention. But they aren’t as much fun. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as seeing young talent on the cusp, while also watching them deal with a temperamental cash register, coffee runs, cigarette breaks and finicky customers. They are the opposite of jaded.

First time I went I got myself a trendy purpley-blue jean jacket.

Then I remembered I have kids so I went back and bought them some artist t-shirts and overalls (and myself a pale blue knitted top). And then my daughter wanted to see the pop-up herself so, yes, more damage was done.

Isn’t this dress fetching? It’s long in the back and short in the front – keep em guessing. 

And it can be dressed up to Grandma-approved standards …

Ettedgui, who registered the name Rail when she was 17, came up with the idea of showing vintage work clothes while driving through France looking for linen with her mother.

I found this old work-wear and thought it would work well  with the rest of the collection and the art. It’s the kind of clothes you’d wear in a studio or atelier. 

Resourceful Ettedgui then went on-line and spotted French antique clothing store Bazar des Poilus who has since created a collection of bleu-de-travail serge work-wear for Rail.

The dungarees above have already been snapped up, but there are plenty more jackets and trousers in washed out blues, utilitarian and cool.

Rail also collaborates with other artists.

We pick up people as we go along, a bit like a rolling stone.

Our vision is to curate a space where clothing and art collide and co-exist

First artist they picked up was Oisin Gallagher, a promising student from Edinburgh College of Art whose “Impractical Table”  won this year’s Astaire Art Prize. Rail has also collaborated with top Edinburgh gallerists Richard and Florence Ingleby to show artist David Austen (see below).

Or is it really just…

And these witty illustrations below are by Angelica Hicks.

 See ya there.

June, 2015 

The post Rail: Work-Wear that Works Off Duty appeared first on Elena Bowes.

The New Craftsmen started out as a pop-up shop two years ago, and now has a real home in a light and airy Arts & Crafts building at 34 North Row.

North Mayfair, once the neglected Cinderella of Mayfair, is having a real renaissance with Selfridge’s massive £300mm makeover,  the stunning new Beaumont Hotel and come spring British designer Erdem is opening its flagship shop on South Audley Street. Landlord Grosvenor Estates has big plans for this forgotten section of swanky Mayfair.

Leading the trend is The New Craftsmen which works exclusively with British crafts makers (75 at the moment) showcasing objects that are intrinsically tied to culture and place.

I spoke with Catherine Lock, one of the shops three founders, who explained to me that after working at Habitat and Sainsbury’s she felt there was a growing desire for shops with more provenance, meeting the makers.

“People are willing to pay a little more to get a little more, ” said the inspiring redhead.

Works can be bought off the shelf, ordered bespoke or individually commissioned.

I love these lights –  a collaboration between glasswares artist Michael Ruh  and mixed media embroidery designer Aimee Betts.

This cushion by textile designer Rose de Borman is fab. Lock thought de Borman would be happy to make a customised whimsical cushion for someone’s beloved pet. I started imagining my pug Antoinette having a new embroidered life as a unicorn.

These autumnal throws are made by Catarina Riccabona in her south London studio.

The perfect Christmas pressie for the culinary at heart – Potter Silvia K  uses the simple beauty of agrarian vessels as her starting point.

The fair lasts one day only. See you there.

November, 2014

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