Tagged: Spitalfields

Swedish Hasbeens x

ss11_3s

So I’m running away to the sun today a week earlier than expected as my father has broken his elbow – there’s no time to write new blog posts, instead I offer you summer re-runs..some of the best posts from times gone past.  Until we meet again – enjoy!

I was aware of fashion from a very early age …rolling down my hated knee socks in primary school in longing of cute ankle ones – and lusting over those nearly not there socks with the pom-pom at the back? Sigh.  And there was the utter object of my desire..navy blue clogs.  I’d watch those lucky girls nonchalantly flick them off to do cartwheels on the grass..before sliding them back on and jauntily walking off with that bone dry rhythm. I knew it was wrong to be fiddling with a buckle.

Time has made a difference..and I just got me some new summer shoes…CLOGS! A long held desire has been appeased and a wrong has finally been righted..Do you know the brand Swedish Hasbeens? They have a lovely story..(although it has given me visions of Anita lighting up a four-legged beast from the desert)..

The story
Her name was Anita and she was the hottest mum in all of southern Sweden in the 1970’s. While smoking Camel she screamed at her kids until her curlers fell out and just looked fabulous in her white high-heeled clogs.One summer day in 2006 we found the shoes she wore (300 pairs of red, white and black beautiful clogs from the 70’s) in the basement of an old clog factory in the neighboring village and brought them to Stockholm. So for all these people that shared our love for Anita’s wooden shoes and for ourselves we started Swedish Hasbeens.Our ambition is to continue to release more incoherent and fun shoes and stuff inspired by Hasbeens that once ruled the planet.The Hasbeens toffels, bags and belts are based on original 70’s models and are made of ecologically prepared natural grain leather since it’s the most beautiful and the highest quality at the same time as it’s environmentally friendly.They are still handmade with respect for people and the environment in the old traditional way, and in small factories that have made shoes for decades. Our production methods and material are kind to nature and people. Happy toffels make happy people.

The designs are delicious…

inspire9_s inspire3_s inspire8_sinspire10_s 333_t_bar_sandal_cognac_webb-b409202b.jpg.thumb_339x254 A clunky shoe that’s elegant..want this one.440_new_green_webb-b38c7b0a.jpg.thumb_339x254 Love this colour – they also do in canary yellow!440_heart_sandal_webb-8be9341d.jpg.thumb_339x254 832_black_nature_webb-e57f6eb4-bdfa1685.jpg.thumb_339x254 470_black_webb-238ea507.jpg.thumb_339x254Want these. And some more retro style ads from their website:

ss11_1s ss11_2s

I went for simplicity and a lower heel – I’ve never worn Hasbeens before and I suspect a wooden sole takes a bit of getting used to, also I was ordering off the internet…and truth be told –  I’m not too good on really high heels and I want these as regular day shoes..the colour is divine…not white, but a soft, buttermilk.. they’ll go with everything..

IMG_1950But if they suit…and they become my best-ever-summer-shoe-purchase-since-the-arrival-of-flatforms..guess where they’ve opened their first UK shop? Only in Hanbury street in Spitalfields…I hear a siren call..

Laters, Kate x

P.S. Tip from Anna, the half-Swedish girl who knows..to wear them in (the leather is good n strong) start wearing them in the house with extra thick socks!

Swedish Hasbeens x

ss11_3sI was aware of fashion from a very early age …rolling down my hated knee socks in primary school in longing of cute ankle ones – and lusting over those nearly not there socks with the pom-pom at the back? Sigh.  And there was the utter object of my desire..navy blue clogs.  I’d watch those lucky girls nonchalantly flick them off to do cartwheels on the grass..before sliding them back on and jauntily walking off with that bone dry rhythm. I knew it was wrong to be fiddling with a buckle.

Time has made a difference..and I just got me some new summer shoes…CLOGS! A long held desire has been appeased and a wrong has finally been righted..Do you know the brand Swedish Hasbeens? They have a lovely story..(although it has given me visions of Anita lighting up a four-legged beast from the desert)..

The story
Her name was Anita and she was the hottest mum in all of southern Sweden in the 1970’s. While smoking Camel she screamed at her kids until her curlers fell out and just looked fabulous in her white high-heeled clogs.One summer day in 2006 we found the shoes she wore (300 pairs of red, white and black beautiful clogs from the 70’s) in the basement of an old clog factory in the neighboring village and brought them to Stockholm. So for all these people that shared our love for Anita’s wooden shoes and for ourselves we started Swedish Hasbeens.Our ambition is to continue to release more incoherent and fun shoes and stuff inspired by Hasbeens that once ruled the planet.The Hasbeens toffels, bags and belts are based on original 70’s models and are made of ecologically prepared natural grain leather since it’s the most beautiful and the highest quality at the same time as it’s environmentally friendly.They are still handmade with respect for people and the environment in the old traditional way, and in small factories that have made shoes for decades. Our production methods and material are kind to nature and people. Happy toffels make happy people.

The designs are delicious…

inspire9_s inspire3_s inspire8_sinspire10_s 333_t_bar_sandal_cognac_webb-b409202b.jpg.thumb_339x254 A clunky shoe that’s elegant..want this one.440_new_green_webb-b38c7b0a.jpg.thumb_339x254 Love this colour – they also do in canary yellow!440_heart_sandal_webb-8be9341d.jpg.thumb_339x254 832_black_nature_webb-e57f6eb4-bdfa1685.jpg.thumb_339x254 470_black_webb-238ea507.jpg.thumb_339x254Want these. And some more retro style ads from their website:

ss11_1s ss11_2sI went for simplicity and a lower heel – I’ve never worn Hasbeens before and I suspect a wooden sole takes a bit of getting used to, also I was ordering off the internet…and truth be told –  I’m not too good on really high heels and I want these as regular day shoes..the colour is divine…not white, but a soft, buttermilk.. they’ll go with everything..

IMG_1950But if they suit…and they become my best-ever-summer-shoe-purchase-since-the-arrival-of-flatforms..guess where they’ve opened their first UK shop? Only in Hanbury street in Spitalfields…I hear a siren call..

Laters, Kate x

P.S. Tip from Anna, the half-Swedish girl who knows..to wear them in (the leather is good n strong) start wearing them in the house with extra thick socks!

The Honey Pot of Spitalfields..

IMG_1835Phew! Slowly some sanity can come back to my life.  I hope.  The kids are both finally back to school  – Bella on Tuesday and Charlie today which means at last I have some breathing space..it’s been fun having them around whilst I’ve been trying to work (my office is at home surprise surprise) but there are times when you need head space to focus..and ‘Mummy I’ve done a Poo’ isn’t the greatest thing to have on an ever crescendoing repetition when you’re on the phone to your financial business manager, particularly when it then escalates to ‘Wipe my bottom NOW’..it got to the point where I was being pestered every five minutes…I need a drink…I’m hungry…I want an orange pen..I want a blue one..no…I want the red pen that Bella has just broken..she’s broken MY pen..that I had to down tools and head out into the big smoke..but we did manage to have some adventures…

Yesterday Charlie and I went to Spitalfields in search of a vintage shop I’d heard about – I know, very child centric – But I work on the basis he’s learning that entertainment is an attitude (you can just see him quoting that back at me in years to come – i.e. when he’s choosing my old folks home..shoot.self.foot. ) But we went on the tube..there were red buses..there was the odd digger…

Anyways, we were navigating the back streets when we spotted a huddle of tourists and it dawned on me where we were..which was was genuinely unplanned..it was a place I had read about and had made a mental note to discover..but I had never thought we would just stumble across…IMG_1813

Folgate Street – though this is a picture of the street rather than the actual building because  No. 18 is Dennis Severs’ House…not a museum or  monument to our heritage or anything like that but more a living, breathing art exhibition exploring a house caught in a bubble of time in 1724..except there is more.  The house is lit only by candle light and no talking is allowed – all so you can experience the subtle sounds and smells which are an interwoven part of the magic: Footsteps, a bell tolling, a bumble bee trapped in a chamber pot…perfume, a freshly opened bottle of wine, pomander oranges stuck with cloves..we had to go in..

IMG_1819IMG_1823The kitchen complete with real roaring fire.

IMG_1828And a very low ceiling.

IMG_1824A meal in midst of preparation.

IMG_1826Charlie pointing out a mouse.

IMG_1821The heaving dresser.

IMG_1822IMG_1827Windows onto the street.

IMG_1830 Carefully making our way around in the candlelight.IMG_1818 The drawing room.  A broken cup on the ground..IMG_1816 The remains of a drinking party complete with tipped up chairs and thrown coats and wigs.IMG_1831IMG_1815A stunning bedroom, this above the fireplace.

It wasn’t pristine.  Plaster was falling off the walls in some places, in other rooms there was dust and cobwebs..but it all just added to the genuine authentic atmosphere and sepia mood…we were convinced we caught the tailcoats of ghosts round every corner whispering to each other and were utterly captivated and enthralled.  The house can be hired out for photographic sessions…could be an amazing back drop for an fashion shoot for a UK luxury label..

We did make it to the Vintage Shop – Absolute Vintage – where I managed to persuade Charlie to give me enough time to buy the dress in the first pic at the top…a beautiful smokey pink with cream polka dots and pockets.. perfect for early summer with a little cardigan and a pair of brogues..But I will return to Spitalfields again..we didn’t get to go round the famous market this time..and the shopping! – Woah! Has this area changed as regards shopping since I last strode these streets…from the little glimpse I got it looks out of this world!..bit of a theme for the day really..

Laters, Kate x