Page 96 – A Little Bird

4th October 201827th October 2021

Aerende and The Maiyet Collective

Many of us have embraced ethical changes in the way we consume fashion, beauty and food but there’s been less emphasis on homewares. Aerende – meaning ‘care’ in Olde English shifts the focus towards marginalised makers with their collection of candles, soaps, textiles and pottery that is both beautiful and useful, made in small batches and designed to last. A non-profit company, all their products are handmade in the British Isles by people facing barriers to employment. Case in point, their new line of linen pouch bags have been crafted by women from London’s Freedom Act charity (that helps refugees, asylum seekers and trafficked women) to raise awareness around the forced labour in the manufacturing industry.

Going from strength-to-strength Aerende recently launched the UK’s first ethical wedding list service, and the company was named by Natalie Massenet as the winner of the Spaces For Ideas competition to identify the retail concepts of the future. Spot their linen tea towels – sewn by refugees – being used and worn by the staff at Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden. Whilst you can support by shopping at their online store, their latest project offers the chance to hold the pieces in your own hands before you buy. The new residency as part of The Maiyet Collective runs from 4-6 October (10am-6pm) as well as three days a month for the next six months at The Conduit in Mayfair.

The Maiyet Collective is a pop-up retail concept based on community, storytelling and a showcase of positive impact luxury brands. As well as shop for sustainable and ethical labels there will be a programme of events including product launches, innovative workshops, founder talks, book signings, limited edition releases, exhibitions, performance art, screenings and curated panels. Hosted at The Conduit, the London members’ club for people passionate about social change, you’ll need to sign up before visiting by emailing hello@aerende.co.uk or else sign in as an Aerende guest on the door.

3rd October 20184th October 2018

Drunk Elephant: the new must-have beauty brand

If you haven’t heard of this line of beauty products before, you soon will. A sell out in Sephora, the US brand reached the UK on 3 October. Founded by Tiffany Masterson, an entrepreneur from Houston, who couldn’t find a beauty line that was both ‘clean’ (ie avoiding chemicals that might irritate the skin such as fragrance and dyes, silicons, drying alcohol, essential oils and chemical screens) and clinical (ie taking the best of high quality, extensively researched synthetic ingredients) – she calls it ‘clean-clinical’. The name comes from Marula Oil which is naturally high in fatty acids and antioxidants, found in many of the Drunk Elephant products and, which, according to legend, elephants become drunk on the oil, drinking it via macula fruit straight from the tree and becoming ‘drunk’ when the fruit ferments in their stomachs.

Unlike a lot of beauty brands, the products aren’t specified for different skin types. Instead, they are listed under day and night, with all products suiting all skins and many of which can be layered together. Must-buys include the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum, £52, with niacinamide, amino acids and hyaluronic acid, to firm and plump your skin. The C-Firma Day Serum, £80 with Vitamin C, Protini Polypeptide Day Cream, £68 and the C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, £64. Or if you’re unsure what to buy, you could try their Littles Kit, £90, that contains eight mini sizes of their greatest hits. All are available to buy at either Space NK or CultBeauty.

3rd October 20183rd October 2018

Luke Irwin x John Soane Museum Design Talks

We love any excuse to visit Sir John Soane’s Museum and are particularly tempted by this new series of talks in partnership with Luke Irwin. Entitled By Design, it will see leading designers discuss an object that has inspired them in some way – using it to discuss and dissect their own design practise.

Alice Rawsthorn, design writer and critic will be interviewing Martino Gamper on 26 November, David Adjaye on 21 January and Es Devlin on 18 February. Will Gompertz, Arts Editor at the BBC will be talking to Peter Saville on 29 October, Edmund de Waal on 25 March and Olga Polizzi on 29 April. Book now.

3rd October 201827th October 2021

Forever Flowers

Some of our favourite London florists are switching up the flower game, giving fresh stems a longer lease of life:

Philippa Craddock x V&A

We really, really didn’t think we liked fake flowers. That was until we found these. Philippa Craddock, the florist behind Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding has teamed up with the V&A to produce an exquisite collection. Inspired by the museum’s collection of botanical illustrations these flowers have been in development for over a year. Not only are they beautifully made, the stems are things you’d actually want – wild meadow flowers like dandelions and cornflowers as well as branches of hogweed and mulberry. Alternatively you can buy a bouquet – or send one as a gift. Stems from £12, small bouquets from £132. philippacraddock.com

Jam Jar Edit

One of our favourite London florists, Jam Jar (who do the flowers for Spring, Chiltern Firehouse, Sketch etc) also stock a small but select range of floral-themed objects. They’ve just updated their stock of framed pressed flowers that are grown by Fern Verrow and pressed in house. We like this Buttercup (below), £75 unframed or £150 framed. jamjaredit.co.uk

We also love their floral paperweights. Hand picked and made in South Wales, this small dandelion would make a lovely gift. £30 jamjaredit.co.uk

Grace and Thorn

Dried flowers and grasses are everywhere at the moment. East London fashion favourite, Grace & Thorn have got in on the action offering dried flower workshops and now even a dried bouquet that’s aptly named, Some Things Do Last Forever £40, graceandthorn.com

Sasha Sykes

Artist and furniture-designer Sasha Sykes uses foraged flowers, foliage and seaweed to produce beautiful resin and acrylic furniture. A bespoke commission could transform a wedding bouquet into a screen, tabletop or lamp. Her large Gyre (meaning ‘of the sea’) screen is on display this week at Peter Petrou’s stand at the PAD Art & Design Fair. Price on application. sashasykes.com

3rd October 20183rd October 2018

Storystock at Battersea Power Station for Half Term

With autumn drawing in, what nicer place to spend a few days this half term than at Storystock. The clever circus of stories travels about the country, it’s whirled through Wilderness, Selfridges, The Saatchi Gallery, The Royal Opera House, Dishoom and Daylesford. This October it arrives at Battersea Power Station for 3 days of storytelling fun for children of all ages.

Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the circus, juggle words, images, songs and stories with free drop-in activities like doodling, hula-hooping, dressing up and soft play as well as ticketed events. Join Private Eye cartoonist and Lollies award winning children’s authors Knife and Packer at their introduction to comic strip creating for ages 7-11. Hear actor and comedian Ben Miller on stage discussing for the first time the inspiration behind his debut children’s book. There will be a Greatest Showman singing workshop for ages 7+, a Harry Potter Show for ages 5-11 as well as stories from Dr Seuss, Beatrix Potter, Judith Kerr and Julia Donaldson. Plus illustration, creative writing, comedy and family trails around the Power Station. Our top pick is Lauren Child’s spy book, The Ruby Redford Show brought to life as a theatre show for ages 8+. Follow special agent and 13-year old genius Ruby on a race to crack the case and stop the criminals with cutting-edge gadgets and death-defying escapes. All tickets tend to sell out fast so book early here.

POETRY COMPETITION: In celebration of the 5th birthday of Storystock, take the chance to enter the illustrated poetry competition for primary school children. Judged by previous Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell the winner of the prize will have their poem published in the spring issue of angels & urchins magazine and receive a bumper selection of books.

Marc Chagall’s painting The Circus Horse (1964) will be the starting point of the poems – children can take whatever inspiration they like from the painting and create an illustrated poem taking in all the elements of the picture, or just one.

Categories: ages 4-8 and ages 9-11. There will be one winner from each category. The winner will be announced on 1^stDecember 2018. Entry details:

By Email: info@storystock.co.uk

By Post: Storystock, Kite Studios, 2B Bassein Park Rd, White City, London W12 9RY

In Person: visit Storystock at Battersea Power Station for their Festival of Stories and get inspiration from the packed programme of authors, illustrators and performers over half term.

26th September 2018

St John Bakery opens in Neal’s Yard

Fans of St John restaurant will be delighted to hear that after two successful pop up bakeries, there’s now a permanent shop where you can buy their legendary donuts and fresh sourdough bread as well as Eccles cakes, croissants and other loaves. The small shop is counter only – but take their suggestion and nip around the corner to get your Flat White from Monmouth Coffee and then return to eat it al fresco in leafy Neal’s Yard. The perfect breakfast.

26th September 201827th September 2018

Space Shifters at the Hayward Gallery

The Hayward Gallery is now 50 years old. For half a century the Brutalist concrete building has occupied its dominating position overlooking the Thames. In fitting celebration comes Space Shifters, an exhibition which aims to question our sense of space, playing with our perception of the world around us and our place within it.

Installation view of Jeppe Hein, 360° Illusion V, 2018 at Space Shifters, © copyright the artist, courtesy Hayward Gallery 2018. Photo, Mark Blower.

On display are artworks from 20 artists. New commissions in direct response to the Hayward Gallery are brought together with sculptures and installations from the past 50 years. Stand before distorted mirrors from Anish Kapoor, weave through heavy chain-link curtains from Daniel Steegmann Mangrané and climb the stairs next to Monika Sosnowska’s Handrail – wrapped vine-like around the existing bannister so that reality and invention entwine. Alicja Kwade’s WeltenLinie (2017) or ‘world line’ is particularly arresting. As you walk through the structure some panels are filled with double sided mirrors, playing with the objects placed within so you aren’t sure where the reflection ends and reality begins. Later Yayoi Kusama’s Narcissus Garden – consisting of hundreds of reflective stainless steel orbs creates a shimmery liquid landscape that you want to reach out and touch.

Installation view of Yayoi Kusama, Narcissus Garden, 1966, at Space Shifters, © copyright the artist, courtesy Hayward Gallery 2018. Photo Mark Blower.

It is worth queuing for your moment in Richard Wilson’s 20:50 – only one person is allowed in at a time to this room that is essentially a giant tank flooded with engine oil. The slick substance creates a mirror and as you descend the slope there’s a sense of vertigo – if it wasn’t for the smell you’d scarcely know it was oil – such is the mirror that it creates of the ceiling above.

Installation view of Richard Wilson, 20:50 (1987) at Space Shifters © copyright the artist courtesy Hayward Gallery 2018. Photo Mark Blower.

There are a number of talks and events alongside the exhibition. We’ve got our eye on ES Devlin on 15th November, and Space Shifters with the New London Chamber Choir on 7 December. Book now.

26th September 201827th October 2021

Goop Comes Home

It’s 10 years since Gwyneth Paltrow sent out her very first Goop newsletter from her kitchen table in Notting Hill. In the decade since that launch it’s grown into an international media outlet and commercial powerhouse that employs over 200 staff and carries a name that represents a certain lifestyle. Now based in California, what was behind the decision to open shop in London? ‘London is such a huge part of my adult life. It’s where the idea of Goop came to me. It’s where it all began so it felt like coming home.’ This is how Gwyneth explains the decision to Chief Content Officer Elise Loehnen in this week’s anniversary episode of the Goop podcast. Also in the interview she delves into that famous decision to announce her separation – via Goop –as a ‘conscious uncoupling’, as well as the reason why she began formulating own-brand products. In search of a face cream that was both organic and luxurious, Gwyneth spotted a gap in the market – ‘I didn’t want to have to go to health food store to buy face cream, I’m way too vain for that! So we made one.’ This was the beginnings of the Goop beauty range that now includes cleansers, scrubs, oils, scent and deliciously packaged bath salts with wonderful names like ‘Nurse!’ for an ‘under the weather bath soak’ that would surely make you feel better.

As you enter the sleek Westbourne Grove shop, past potted olive trees, you’re greeted by a small selection of chic fashion: think crisp black cotton dresses, V neck cashmere sweaters and delicate jewellery but it’s the beauty area up a flight of steps that keeps winking at you.

With its emphasis on new and small brands with delectable packaging, we counted no fewer than seven facial oils. We also saw one of Gwyneth’s favourite items, the Crave ‘wear-it-round-your-neck vibrator’ (each to her own) or Fur Oil for pubic hair. Yes really – all deadly serious and in the best possible taste. The beauty area is a like a sweet shop for grown ups and we wanted it all, from the divine-smelling French Girl body oil to the Olio e Osso ‘chopstick’ lipbalm/blusher.

The multi-level pop-up has been designed by Fran Hickman and features the ultimate in aspirational interiors: Wild At Heart plants scattered about, Pinch lighting and Vitsoe furniture and a pretty courtyard garden at the back. Downstairs you’ll find homewares with Gwyneth’s books, kitchen accessories and scatter cushions, as well as sportswear with Perfect Moment red running leggings sitting next to own brand frilled sweatshirts.

So what was our verdict? Fun for window shopping even if you don’t buy. The beauty section is irresistibly tempting.

26th September 201827th September 2018

Isabel Marant x L’Oréal Makeup

Isabel Marant is a designer known for sending her models down the runway with the absolute minimum of makeup so it’s curious that she has just launched a capsule collection with L’Oréal. Marant admits that she has been approached many times to go into cosmetics and perfumes (many fashion houses’ most profitable arm) but she has mostly declined. The one beauty brand she did collaborate with (over 20 years ago now), asked again and she decided to say yes. Marant herself was heavily involved in the process and says about the range, “This makeup collection has been designed in the same way I design my ready-to-wear collections: wearable anytime, anywhere. It has been a dream to get really involved with makeup technology and to produce this collection of day-to-night and natural-to-smoky essentials that I have always wanted.”

And really the genius behind the collection is that it feels, well, so Parisian – elegant and effortless. Many of the 5 products are multi purpose so they really are the ones you pop in your handbag and run out the door with. There’s the best-selling L’Oréal Color Riche Matte Lipstick, which has been given the ‘Marant’ makeover with two neutral shades, two plum and three chic reds. There’s a smokey eye palette which is practically idiot-proof, a two in one lip and cheek gloss that changes colour depending on your skin. A transparent mascara that you can also use on your brows and finally, our favourite product, the Shine Skin Beautifier. We have never been a huge fan of highlighters but this is very easy to use, changes from cream to powder on contact and looks great dotted on the cheekbones over a tinted moisturiser (we use the new Chanel CC cream).

And the best bit of all? Their price. Starting at only £8.99, what’s not to love?

26th September 201827th October 2021

Hottest theatre to book now (and how to get tickets before everyone else)

There is so much great theatre coming up this autumn and something on offer for everyone. Here are our top picks:

Anthony & Cleopatra

Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play the infamous couple at The National Theatre (watch out for the real live snake on stage!) Playing until 19 January 2019, you can also hear the two actors talk about their roles on Friday 11th January 2019 at 3pm. Book tickets from £45 here (tickets to the preview on 25 September start at £24).

Measure for Measure

Directed by Josie Rourke, Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden will switch roles with each other in every show, alternating between the powerful Deputy and the powerless Novice at the Donmar Theatre from 28 September – 24 November 2018. Tickets start at £10 (with new tickets released every Monday) and can be booked here.

Company

First Lady of Broadway Patti LuPone returns to the West End after a 25 year absence to star alongside Rosalie Craig and Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroye. A series of vignettes around Bobbi’s 35th birthday, the original Stephen Sondheim and George Furth 1970s musical won 14 Tony nominations and is now being given a fresh take by director Marianne Elliott (changing the original Bobby into a female Bobbi). Tickets from £12.50, playing at the Gielgud Theatre until 22nd December 2018. Book your tickets here.

Pinter at the Pinter

A series of one act plays by Harold Pinter on the tenth anniversary of the playwright’s death has attracted an eclectic and heady cast. Actors include Tamsin Greig, Celia Imrie, Lee Evans, Martin Freeman, Rupert Graves, David Suchet and Anthony Sher. Mark Rylance will also appear in a special charity performance. Showing until 23 February 2019, tickets start at £15 and can be booked here.

Twelfth Night

Playing at the Young Vic Theatre, director Kwame Kwei-Armah is opening his first season here with this transfer from NY where it was enthusiastically received. A musical adaptation of the play with jazz and R&B melodies, think of it has a sort of Shakespearean ‘Hamilton’. 2 October – 17 November 2018. Book tickets from £10 here (plus you can enter the TodayTix £5 First Preview Lottery here).

RSC’s Macbeth at The Barbican Theatre

Christopher Eccleston stars as Macbeth opposite Niamh Cusack as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company residency at The Barbican. Playing from 6 October 2018 to 18 January 2019, it is directed by Polly Findlay. Tickets from £10 can be booked here.

The Height of the Storm

With a script by French playwright Florian Zeller, this family drama is translated to English by Christopher Hampton and directed by Jonathan Kent. Jonathan Kent and Eileen Atkins star as a married couple whose daughter’s visit starts to reveal cracks in the family dynamics. Playing from 6 October – 1 December 2018 at the Wyndhams Theatre, book your tickets here.

Wise Children

Emma Rice launches her new theatre company and residency at The Old Vic Theatre with a vivid retelling of the Angela Carter novel about showbusiness, family, heartbreak and joy. Buy tickets here, from £12, running 8 October – 10 November 2018.

A Very, Very Dark Matter

Martin McDonagh has written this twisted fairytale about writer Hans Christian Anderson playing from 12 October – 6 January 2019 at The Bridge Theatre. The show explores the secret inspiration behind stories such as The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen and The Emperor’s New Clothes. with BAFTA and Oscar winning actor Jim Broadbent playing Hans Christian Anderson who harbours a great secret in the attic of his Copenhagen town house. Tickets from £15, book here.

Wild Duck

After an 1884 Henrik Ibsen play, this new version has been written by the director Robert Icke at The Almeida. Icke has long proven his strength at reinventing classics in particularly Mary Stuart and Hamlet recently but we suspect that this production will be stronger still: expect the unexpected. Book tickets here (tickets start at £5 for under 25s with savings for the over 65s, students and those living in Islington), showing from 15 October – 1 December 2018.

War Horse

The award-winning play based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, with the Handspring Puppet Company, returns to The National Theatre after a world tour and eleven years after it’s debut. Showing from 8 November 2018 – 5 January 2019, you can book tickets here (from £45, tickets for under 18s are half price) and you can see Michael Morpurgo talk about the show on 20 November at 5.45pm.

True West

Pulitzer Prize-winner, Sam Shepard’s story of two warring brothers stars Johnny Flynn and Kit Harington (from Games of Thrones). Tickets start at £15 and the play runs from 23 November 2018 – 16 February 2019 at The Vaudeville Theatre. Book your tickets here.

All About Eve

Director-du-jour Ivo Van Hove has adapted this film script, (originally starring Bette Davis and Thelma Ritter) about a star actress and her younger fan who starts to eclipse her fame, especially for the stage. This production will star Gillian Anderson and Lily James. Tickets to the general public go on sale on Friday 27th September at 10am but if you sign up to the Sonia Friedman Production e-mails here, you will receive priority booking on Thursday 26th September. The play runs from 2 February 2019 for a limited run at the Noel Coward Theatre.

25th September 201827th October 2021

The Resolution Store

We’re excited by The Resolution Store – the new one-stop-shop for pre-loved fashion. Re-purposing the huge volume of samples and freebies sent to fashion influencers and journalists, the clever website tackles the issue of waste by allowing you to buy directly from their enviable wardrobes. If you’ve ever hankered after the style of Camille Charrière, Lucy Williams, Laura Jackson, Pandora Sykes or Harriet Stewart this is your chance to shop it. Pick up a Ganni knit, Jaeger coat, Anya Hindmarch handbag at a fraction of the price of the original whilst also doing good for the planet by giving the items a new lease of life.

Each ‘drop’ is only on sale for a limited time, the current stock arrived online on 21st September and will be available until 31 October. Since many items from the first sale sold out quickly, it might be wise to sign up to the mailing list to get 2 hours’ preview access to the second sale which goes live soon.

24th September 201827th September 2018

Sarah Clark from Little Spree

Sarah Clark is the writer behind the hugely successful blog, Little Spree. Fashion Stylist and mother of twins ‘Tabarlow’ (ie Tabitha and Marlow), Clark started the blog in 2011 as an online resource for busy, fashion savvy mothers: ‘an insider’s guide to dressing your kids (and later mothers in Mama Spree) in a beautiful and stylish way without maxing your credit card’. Here she tells us her favourite things about living in London.

What’s your favourite part about living in Richmond?

That it’s technically still London, but you also have all the beautiful green open spaces, normally only found in the countryside. Plus I love being so close to such a pretty part of the river Thames – I find it very calming.

What are your top lunch/brunch/coffee spots?

Well, Petersham Nurseries is obviously ‘up there’, plus it’s the closest to our house (a five minute walk). I love to get there just as it opens, to meet a friend for a cup of tea, a mooch around, then a slice of cake (in lieu of breakfast!) I also love the little hippyish cafe in Terrace Gardens, Hollyhock Cafe – it has a great view of the river, and the gardens is a great place for kids to play. I also like the Richmond Hill Bakery on Richmond Hill for tea and croissants. And one of our favourite places to go with the kids is Pizzeria Rustica – simple, rustic (as the name suggests) and the BEST pizza!

Which websites do you look at most often?

Probably Matches, M&S, BBC News… Not necessarily in that order!

Can you recommend something to do with children in London that is off the beaten track?

There is a little ‘ferry’ that crosses the river between Ham House and Marble Hill Park, close to where we live. The kids love it! So you can combine a river walk along the tow path from Richmond (stopping off at Peterhsam Nurseries en route?) with a visit to Ham House; then there is a great old-fashioned kids’ playground at Marble Hill. It’s a fun, little adventure.

Which is your favourite fashion boutique?

Iris. I love their mix of designers (they stock most of my favourites, as well as their own lovely label, By Iris); their price points, their staff and customer service. It’s a ‘proper’ boutique (there are so few these days). I pop into the Chiswick store (my local, and my favourite) every chance I get, just to have a little look and to say hello.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Can I have two? Be true to yourself. And always follow your instincts.

What advice would you give to somebody setting up their own website/blog?

Make sure it’s something you feel passionate about, and don’t just be motivated by the money – you need to love it first and foremost. And be patient!

Where do you go to escape in London?

We actually don’t feel the need to ‘escape’ that much, as we are so lucky to have the best of both worlds where we are. However, we do escape to Northern Tuscany every Summer though, for a proper family ‘re-boot’.

LittleSpree.com