Bread and Butter Berlin 2014

This week I have been in Berlin at the Bread and Butter trade show. As it was my first year present I couldn't comment on the heritage/urban/sport ratio but certainly their was a heavy lean towards jeans brands and sports. However, I was excited to see some of my favourite brands there; Inish Meain knitwear, Croots, Toms and Gloverall to name a few. I also discovered some others which I really liked and had a high provenance too. You can check out all the brands present in the heritage section here.

The above image is from High Snobiety who have a great image gallery from the show.

Harris Tweed 101

•  Harris Tweed represents tradition, luxury and high provenance. 
• Harris Tweed is woven in the Outer Hebrides

• Harris Tweed is the only fabric in the world presided over by its own Act of Parliment.
• It became popular when the Countess of Dunmore had the Harris weavers weave her clan tartan in tweed. She was so impressed she championed and marketed the Harris Tweed beyond the little islands.

• The Harris Tweed Association Limited was set up in 1906 to protect the tweed from poor imitations.
• The iconic Harris Tweed logo of an orb and Maltese cross that certified the genuine cloth was registered in 1910

• 1934 saw a change in Harris Tweed rules. The islanders were now allowed to make cloth from yarns that were mill spun as opposed to hand spun. This meant more cloth could be produced!
• The 90s saw changes for Harris Tweed with more rigorous quality testing, new looms and The Harris Tweed Authority came into being.
• The cloth is now exported to over 50 countries.

• No part of the process of creating Harris Tweed is done anywhere but the Outer Herbrides.
• Some of the processes involved are; shearing, dyeing, blending, carding, spinning, warping, weaving, darning, finishing and stamping.

Great three part video doc with Vic Reeves discovering Harris Tweed! Part one above.

WANT MORE?

5 min video by The Guardian

The Harris Tweed Authority Website

Image Sources: The Guardian and unknown.

Made in England-Luxury Leather Brand Pickett.

When you walk through The Burlington Arcade you cannot help but to glimpse lustfully at the wondrous windows of Pickett. Full of visual delights; jewellery, pashminas, luggage...Pickett has been resident in the arcade for 25 years (and previously under the name of The Unicorn Leather Company, also at the arcade, since the 50s). Representing the best, most luxurious, artisanal leather goods, Pickett has all its leather products made in England. "we are one of the last remaining stores to ensure our leather goods are made in England from start to finish. We take great care to produce our ranges with small specialist workshops and individual craftsmen, some of whom we have worked with for more than the 23 years."



Pickett's work is thoughtful, traditional, classic. It's the place to go if you are looking for a sensational present or if you want a classic piece of luggage that will last a life time. Here are my favourites:

For Him:

Belt-£169

Canvas Holdall- £299

Men's Turkish Slippers-£149

Briefcase-£549

For Her:

Pashmina-£125

Canvas Tote-£225

Visitor's Book:£225

Leather Handbag-£375

Style Icon:Edward VIII/Duke of Windsor.

I am a just little bit obsessed with Edward VIII. In my third and fourth year in fashion design at uni I centred a main project around him. Of course it had to be a knitwear project, as Edward was known as the man who put fair isle on the fashion map.

He was also responsible for many a fashion innovation. He wore and popularised plus fours for playing golf, he pioneered a new type of shirt collar (called The Prince of Wales collar after him), he also created a new version of the silk tie.

 I'm particularly drawn to the beautiful suits he was often photographed in. The large checks are, I presume and please correct me if I am wrong, the Prince of Wales check as worn by his father. Edward added stylish flair to these very traditional, British fabrics, and to this day, his style remains a wealth of inspiration.

WANT MORE?

More Images on Miss Merten's Flickr page

A potted history of Edward VIII's wardrobe

Fan site