September 2014 FITZROVIA WORTH IN FOCUS LOOKING AT TAKE A OUR GUIDE CLOSER TO THE LOOK AT LOCAL WINDMILL GALLERY STREET SCENE LEATHER REPORT A WELSHMAN IN THE FORECAST LOOKS FITZROVIA GOOD, SAYS THE OWNER A PREVIEW OF OCTOBER’S OF ONE OF BRITAIN’S DYLAN THOMAS FESTIVAL BEST-LOVED BRANDS Flower power Designer Tord Boontje follows up his best-selling Garland light with the fl oral- themed Bouquet. Create your own arrangement from the 20 separate hanging leaf and fl ower elements. £70 from Habitat (E7). And so that was summer. Never mind. Autumn leaves nothing to be desired in Fitzrovia. The days may be getting shorter and there may be a chill in the air some mornings; but who’s complaining? After all, you’re in a part of London where there’s always something to look forward to and Dressed to enjoy, whatever time of year it is. impress Styled by designer A change of season means exciting new ranges in the district’s shops, new shows in the Rachel Kozlowski, these galleries and fresh menus in the local restaurants. So, let’s give a big welcome to autumn, go animal portraits will add exploring and enjoy. character to any table setting. There’s a whole menagerie of Dapper Animal Plates to choose from at £9 each from West Elm (F7). Sweet dreams With its quilted Chesterfi eld Sitting pretty headboard, La Dolce Vita And pretty comfortably too, thanks to the input of a from Natuzzi (D6) will add professional osteopath at the design stage. Adjustable legs, an accent of sophisticated seat tension and optional cushions all help. Made to order, the Italian sensuality to any Lucinda chair and foot stool cost £1,995 and £695 from bedroom. Part of their Heal’s (E7). innovative new range and available in leather or fabric, it’s priced from £3,740. Rock salt and pepper Made from glazed ceramic on a wooden rocker base, this set of shakers from West Elm (F7) will add a touch of ‘chick chic’ to your kitchen. They’re going cheap too, at just £29. enjoyfi tzrovia.co.uk – 2 – – 3 – enjoyfi tzrovia.co.uk Cornered! Fifty years, Chic 1950s style meets sleek fi fty leaves contemporary design in the Sarah Collier, co-designer UK-made Mistral range from of some of Habitat’s (E7) Heal’s (E7). Available in a most popular textiles has choice of fabrics and colours created her fi rst rug to mark and other combinations. the store’s 50th anniversary. Prices from £3,745 to £4,350. Fifty Leaves is hand-woven in up-cycled cotton fabric in India, and costs £450. Say it with vases These decorative pieces from BoConcept (C6) in heavy glassware, trendy ceramic and bamboo, are a great way to make a design statement, with or without fl owers. Prices start from £6. Back to the 50s The Mid-Century Sideboard is a tribute to the easy-on-the-eye modernism of the last century’s middle decades. This simple yet sophisticated design from West Elm (F7), in solid eucalyptus with acacia veneer and bronze-fi nished fi ttings, costs £559. 50 in the shade This light installation by Aaron Probyn is another commission to celebrate Sit tall Habitat’s (E7) fi rst half-century. Made of Upholstered in a choice of black or white, lasered, brushed brass, single lights can and with a swivel base, the Boston chair from be grouped in multiples to suit your space. BoConcept (C6) costs from £1,559. Tesselate costs £275. enjoyfi tzrovia.co.uk – 4 – – 5 – enjoyfi tzrovia.co.uk Revival Retro Revival Retro at 30 Windmill Street sells modern day reproductions and reinterpretations of 1920s, 1930s and 1940s fashions. Who are the people behind the business? Rowena the owner, manager Sarah, Charlotte and Julieta. We’re all enthusiastic professionals who love helping our customers. If they’re happy, it makes our day, especially if they come back for more. What can customers expect? Revival was born out of Rowena’s passion for 1940s swing dancing and the fashions that went with it. Not a fan of ‘second-hand’, she wanted to offer garments that were vintage-inspired but newly made. The result is feminine tailoring and classic cuts that really fl atter the female shape and appeal Welcome to Windmill Street to a wide range of women. The name is a reminder of Fitzrovia’s agricultural past and recalls the Why Fitzrovia? lane that once led to a mill at its western end. The area’s heritage really resonates with Revival. We wanted bigger, central premises and love the mix of business, residential and tourism. The present Windmill Street of four storey townhouses with ground fl oor shop-fronts was laid Sarah Spenser out in the 1720s and, until 1745, two of them housed the original Middlesex Hospital. Today, the What are your favourite local places? street is home to some of Fitzrovia’s most achingly cool businesses. We talked to fi ve of them. We’re still exploring but were pleasantly surprised by a meal at Boopshis, Loretta at Clipso hairdressers is a godsend and so is the Japanese whisky bar at Bam-Bou. When Rowena fi rst moved to London, she found her fi rst decent coffee at Lantana, the antipodean café in Charlotte Rivet & Hide Place. It’s still a favourite. Rivet & Hide is dedicated to bringing the Describe Fitzrovia in three words. world’s best denims to the UK. Its store at Nostalgic, evolving, classy. 5 Windmill Street opened in April 2014. revival-retro.com Who are the people behind the business? London-born Danny Hodgson and partner, Junior Arraes from Brazil via Spain. Danny was inspired by the world’s specialist denim shops while in the airline business. Junior spent fi ve Jonathan Quearney years with Christian Dior. Jonathan Quearney at 7 Windmill Street offers classic yet contemporary What can customers expect? We’re a destination shop for denim-heads and heaven for the bespoke tailoring in a soft style reminiscent of Anderson & Sheppard style-conscious male. and English Cut. We stock exclusive brands from artisan makers such as Iron Who are the people behind the business? Heart and The Flat Head who feature an attention to detail I went to college in Glasgow, before training on Savile Row with Airey & Wheeler. I have a team of you won’t fi nd anywhere else in the UK. We also offer a six here with an average age of 31. That’s pretty young, given their level of skill, and it means we complete fi tting service with authentic, in-house chain-stitch have youth and tradition on our side. Together it takes us 50 hours to make one suit. hemming on a 1950s Union Special. Junior Arraes (L) Danny Hodgson (R) What can customers expect? Why Fitzrovia? Our salesman David Goggins will discuss your options, while Jonathan can be found downstairs It’s easy to access but away from the mayhem of central cutting and marking your cloth before his makers turn it into a garment. We used to have just two London. The village feel suits our style of service. And not services: custom-made suits from £1,000 and fully bespoke at £2,900. By popular demand, we Jonathan Quearney many people in Fitzrovia work in suits! now have a semi-bespoke service for £1,900. We also sell shirts and ties and will be offering socks, handkerchiefs, scarves and ready-to-wear shirts from next year. What are your favourite local places? For food: Burritos from Benito’s Hat on Goodge Street.; Why Fitzrovia? Drakes, next door, for the amazing tapas; Lantana and In When apprenticing, I used to visit an alteration tailor at no. 6 Windmill Street and dreamt of starting Parma on Charlotte Place. my own business in Fitzrovia. It was so green, calm and clean compared to Soho. In 2005 I had a For coffee: Kaffeine and Sharps. For drinks: Draft House; workshop at the back of no. 6, then a shop front at no. 3 and fi nally moved to no. 7 in 2007. the Green Man; the Newman Arms. What are your favourite local places? We love Lewis Leathers and both get our hair cut by I love Lantana’s lunch box, the chicken salad is amazing! The Pie Room in the Newman Arms Frank at Sharps. serves delicious pies. The modern Japanese from Nizuni is great value for lunch. And a well-kept secret is Fitzrovia Ristorante Italiano, a family owned, private dining club on Tottenham Street. Describe Fitzrovia in three words. Charming, creative, welcoming. Describe Fitzrovia in three words. Vibrant, diverse, unpretentious. rivetandhide.com enjoyfi tzrovia.co.uk – 6 – – 7 – enjoyfi tzrovia.co.uk Sharps Barber & Shop Sharps Barber & Shop offers traditional barber services in a cool atmosphere at 9 Windmill Street. Who are the people behind the business? We are a group of like-minded people whose shared passion is for high quality haircuts, great value, and a terrifi c experience. As Mister Sharps, I am here to keep everything in order so the team can do their thing - a damn good haircut or shave for every customer. What can customers expect? Sharps was founded in 2002 to bring “no-fuss” products and services to guys around the world. Our customers get a top quality haircut, great value, and a trusted relationship with their barber that will last for a very long time. Rory MacParland Boopshi’s Schnitzel & Spritz Boopshi’s at 31 Windmill Street serves schnitzel-based recipes with an Austrian heritage plus a great range of cocktails, beer and spritzers.