If you didn’t win one in our recent competition, here’s some good news – all Shinzi Katoh tote bags are now half price in the sale.
Yes, the large retro-styled totes are now just £13.50 (from £27), with similar discounts on all the other bags – which sounds like a good excuse to pick one up now for your weekly shop or journey to work.
We’ll also have a competition soon for some of the company’s super-cool water bottles – watch this space.
Shinzi Katoh website
We’ve featured quite a few items by Enzo Mari recently but if you are hankering after seeing more, New York is the place to see more of his work at the moment.
The Italian Cultural Institute in New York has an exhibition of sixty objects by Mari. The collection brings together pieces created for famous companies including Alessi, Artemide, Danese, Kartell and Magis.
The exhibition runs until 5 September so if you happen to be in New York in the coming weeks, add this to your list of things to do. More information can be found on the Institute’s website.
“Sew Your Own Totes” kit is part a series of “Sew Your Own” kits by Melbourne designer Angela White.
The kit contains a vintage-style printed fabric along with contrasting herringbone to make the bag’s handles, as well as the cute finishing touch of a label that says “I made it”. Full instructions are included and the kits are simple enough to introduce children to sewing, but that doesn’t mean that adults can’t use them too.
They cost £15 and can be bought from Lily and Agathe.
Inflatable furniture seems to be the thing this year – we’ve already seen the Branex Quasar range reissued and now we have the return of the Zanotta Blow armchair.
The Blow armchair was the work of De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi back in 1967 – very much a sign of the times, it was hit with the swinging 60s crowd for its looks and functionality.
The new version is much the same as the original, made of ‘electronically welded’ clear, yellow or red PVC and good for both indoor and outdoor use and in most temperatures. A pump is supplied, with each chair selling for £344.
In terms of online fashion retailers, ASOS have pretty much got the market sewn up, allowing us all to shop in the laziest way possible. Thankfully, they don’t just offer the pleasure of sitting on your bum while you buy their wares, they’ve just introduced the Almost Famous range.
While most of the clothing on the website would make most style lovers run a mile, this 70s-inspired ode to hippie folk style does contain some great items. With genuine looking suede jackets and print dresses in Autumnal hues, there’s a vintage look bargain to be had.
Fashion design is rarely quite so enduring as a classic coat. With shapes like the trench and parka constantly cropping up again and again, you can be sure that a well tailored choice will be in your regular wardrobe for years to come.
This Balenciaga double breasted check coat has something of the Sherlock Holmes influence, mixed with a very 1960s take on coat shapes. With a mid-thigh hem, slightly nipped waist and a cool collar shape, this coat mixes straight-laced style with femininity.
It’s what we often call an investment, meaning the price isn’t as pretty as the coat at £1475.
