Categories / Bags

Summer holiday 1989 tote bag by Hanna Melin

1989 bag

For a new tote that's steeped in nostalgia look no further than Hanna Melin's summer 1989 bag. It's covered with all sorts of drawings that capture her memories of that year when, judging from her biography, she was just eleven. 

Although 1989 seems relatively recent in my head, once you start looking at some of the clunky old technologies illustrated – the phones, typewriter and headphones – you realise just how much has changed in the world since then. Hanna's 'Play a Song for Me' bag was covered in cassette tapes and that motif is also picked up here with the wooden badge that comes with each bag. 

The bag costs £12 from the Hidden Art Shop

Categories / Architecture, Homeware

Architecturally inspired textile designs from Fokus Fabrik

FOKUS

Fokus Fabrik are a Finnish design group who draw some of their inspiration from the urban landscape. The results are some striking fabric designs that reference architectural delights such as the tower blocks and cranes shown on the Fussio and Katve cushions shown here. The hard graphic lines of the buildings and machinery contrast with the soft fabrics used to make the cushions. 

Though their imagery is industrial, Fokus Fabrik's outlook is ecological and they think carefully about the processes used to manufacture their textiles  these cushions being made from an organic cotton and hemp mix. Each cushion costs 64 euros, but both designs are also available as the fabric alone.  

See the designs at the Finnish Design Shop

Categories / Art and Photography

Chairs print by Kerry Lemon

Kerry Lemon chair

Kerry Lemon's Chair print shows an oh-too-common situation for chair aficionados. The illustration is based around an afternoon she spent lusting after chairs in Heals. It shows the various designs she's rejected and the eventual focus of her desire, the chair with the distinct Orla Kiely pattern shown in the top left. 

It's a limited edition print, that's been hand drawn and digitally coloured and still retains the charm of the original hand. Each print costs $158, you'll just need a beautiful house to put it in. 

Buy it from her Etsy store
Categories / Women's Fashion

Butterfly Print Dress by Coutique

Newlook butterfly
With the summer weather up to its usual tricks, a dress that will wear all year round is a perfect purchase. This Butterfly Print Dress by Coutique at New Look is not only an all weather choice, but it has cute retro style in spades.

With a high waisted skirt and simplistic vest top in one, the retro inspired butterfly print in muted multicolour sets off a vintage look silhouette well. The three covered buttons at the neckline are a cute detail that gives some early sixties flair.

Get it from New Look now for £30.

Find out more from the website

Categories / Men's Fashion, Women's Fashion

Unisex Hartwick Skimmer Shoe from American Apparel

Amaphartwick
American Apparel's aesthetic is deeply entrenched in the more eye-popping end of seventies and eighties fashions, but if you dig deeper there's some gems for the more conservatively dressed among us. These Hartwick Skimmer Shoes have the same retro credentials, but take cues from an earlier era.

Available in unisex sizes, these dress shoes are a great version of an early sixties formal pair. Available in a patent black or a rich vintage cream, they're a classic pair whose styling will last.

Get yours from American Apparel UK now for £65.

Find out more from the website

Categories / Homeware

Chest Anglaise

500-Commode-Anglaise

The Chest Anglaise gives a truly British twist to a classic piece of French design.

The vintage style chest is made from cherrywood with a hand-painted mural of a Union Jack across the drawers. The wood has a distressed finished to add to its vintage feel.

It is a design that probably won’t be to everyone’s taste, and nor will the price at £2,450. But if both those elements suit you, then visit Sweetpea and Willow website to buy.