If to admit the truth, as a biggie London enthusiast, I only deeply realised how beautiful the historic city is a few days ago. The major factor was that the symbolic british weather hasn't inhabited the country for over a fortnight in lieu replenished by the sizzling sun that affectingly caused a few fashion obstacles (a) I'm a modest person and likes to be covered up b) A isn't possible as its too warm to be wearing coats, cardigans, layers etc c) I don't own many non-winter garments) which I did overcome. So on that note, I'm sure your all dying to see what I wore for such a negative mind against that big fire ball in the sky that provides us with life...
Here is me and Pearl attempting our SICCKKKKKKKKKK HOLY poses behind a door neighbouring the SICKKKKKKKKKK World's End boutique in the bona fide affluent area of Kensington & Chelsea (I envy the people who are lucky enough to resident there) I wore the tiney winey 70s bomber jacket with navy and teal paneling, All Saints breton t-shirt, Valentino X Gap ruffle trousers and my trusty Office boots (I always wear these boots when I go to London as I'm not brave enough to in Wilmslow *weeping) and don't bother questioning Pearl's...you know its Westwood.
Our first destination on Pearl's extremely beautifully planned...plan is the cultured uber cool (borderline overrated) area of Notting Hill where finding a toilet is extremely ambiguously challenging and home to a magical shop where some of the most phenomenal pieces are hiding - 1 of A Kind (according to this months Vogue the emporium has a new online website). It's name really does speaks for itself, We were buzzed into the beloved Aladins cave from the hustle-bustle of the tourist filled street on a hot Saturday afternoon. Surrounded by awesome clothes, clothes fucking everywhere, side to side and right above you. I was beginning to question the irrelevant fact that will I walk out of this dreamy place with out a 1920s tassel jabbed into my eye or a similar type of scenario. Jeff (the owner) was running late so we were shown around the immense appointment only room by one of his fellow laid-back colleagues as a matter of a fact is a freshman at Central Saint Martins studying Graphics.
All four of us (Pearl, ME, Rich and Jen) wriggled into the brimming room (and fellow I thought the BFC tent at LFW was a tight squash) and in a place like that, you really don't know where to look.....
*****CHANEL BAG GALORE*****
Abundance of contemporary, retro and old Chanel bags, (I favored the massive one...which was about 1 metre in width) One off pieces from Ossie, Paco and Westwood; Speaking of Vivienne Westwood, Jefferson Ihenacho is in fact a personal collector (rumor has it he has his own warehouse full of it!) of Vivienne and John Galliano who are both tremendously iconic british designers. My favourite piece was an early Westwood clutch, Cut in an odd shape in the most supple crimson leather with an edging of tassel and two caricature features (an eye and smackers) that winked/blew a kiss when walking. I adored it mainly because I haven't seen anything like it...the only thing that comes to mind is those crappy 3-D bookmarks with unrealistic moving images of polar bears or stallions.
****THIS RAIL ABOVE - ALL CHANEL*****
To be honest this place is heaven to the trained eye, Prices range mostly £1000+ It ain't cheap but you have consider that most of the stock is archived in this shop to be rented out for photoshoots or glamorous events, I picked out an Issey Miyake crumpled top and was told that it was worn by Lana Del Ray for German Interview Magazine. The majority of the battered VW shoes that covered the carper were pre-owned by Pete Burns and every fashionista & designer imaginable has visited to buy to wear or for inspiration.
Thanks 1 of A Kind for letting me visit your radical boutique! The ratio of my next post (after the ohh so important patriotic Jubilee post) will be 8:2 World's End and Alfies Antique Market.
Lawrence