The Clothes Maiden A journal for the creative and fashionable minds
Edition 9. Nov/ Dec 2012
A journal for the fashionable and creative minds
Love Letter
D
ear readers, We’re almost at the end of the year; does anyone know where the time went? Since the last issue we have been incredibly busy putting this one together and time has zoomed past! Well, you know what they say. Time flies when you’re having fun... It’s always fascinating when we come across brand new designers we’ve never heard of before. Sometimes... most of time I wonder why can’t anyone just build a giant mall in every city where inside you’d discover the likes of Wolf & Moon, Made By White and many other fabulous fashion labels! I hope you like what you’re about to see! I want to thank everyone who has contributed towards issue 9 of The Clothes Maiden, your continuous support means the world, I’m beyond grateful.
The Clothes Maiden Contents
Casper&Pearl
Wolf & Moon
Argyle & Oxford
BlankBlank
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13
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Casper&Pearl
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Argyle & Oxford
Pretty Things We Like
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Brett Manning
Wolf & Moon
AK Vintage
House of Land
Things Like Diamonds
Pannikin
LoveHate
Amy Joslin
BlankBlank
Turina
Mixtape
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20 28
74 80
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Editor: Stephanie Anderson Contributors: Kellie Griffiths Collette Hagan Illustrators: Anna Brinded Fanny Chan
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C
asper&Pearl is an Australian b fashion label impressively crea Stacey Hendrickson, a then e year-old self-taught designer who ha but big dreams.
Since the creation in 2011, the label featured on high profile fashion blog national publications and even Teen There seems to be a sort of cult follo Casper&Pearl with 10,000 + followers tagram and 5,000 on Facebook it is label is popular.
Why is it so popular? Well take a look A/W 13 collection you will see the qu unique clothing for yourself. Inspiratio from innocence, the 70s and vintage Everything is handmade so you’re no to find anything like it in the high stre is even more reason to adore this lab
We cannot wait for the launch of the Garden collection in March 2013, we would come quicker to a store near range is the first transeasonal collect will meet the high demand from ove tomers so they really have gone all o
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based ated by eighteen as nothing
has been gs, intern Vogue. owing for s on Insclear this
k at the uality and on is taken e fashion. ot going eet which bel.
e Secret e wish it r us. The tion that erseas cusout with
Casper&Pearl this one. Inspiration was taken from the popular story The Secret Garden written by Frances Hodgson Burnett so expect magical things to come out of this collection. Alongside this inspiration is nature, free spirits and floral embroidery, it all sounds very dreamy. The collection will also see the launch of Casper&Pearl’s first knitwear piece, diverse because if you don’t like black then it comes in red and lavender too. Favourite pieces have to be the hand drawn embroidery; they are one of a kind. The Secret Garden collection is not the only thing Stacey has up her sleeve. It can be considered she has dreams and plans for other amazing things in 2013 and already with stockists in New York City (wow) and regular customers from Sweden there is nothing stopping her from chasing these dreams and making it all possible. Keep your eyes peeled in March 2013 for the collection because everything will be available to buy from the site and chances are it will go quickly!
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Follow C&P on Instagram: @casperandpearl
Pretty Things We Like
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Take a peek at Siobhan Hogan’s designs and jump on the turban band wagon! ShopFloorWhore has an amazing collection of handmade, up-cycled turbans created using vintage fabric and sourced findings. www.theprettyjunk.co.uk
ShopFloorWhore
£30 Since discovering this jewellery label life has become much more interesting and far too glittery. This is a collaboration of Suzanne, a stylist/designer from France and Isak, engineer/designer from Sweden. All their products are handcrafted in their lovely studios in Stockholm www.suzywan.com
Suzywan Deluxe
£25
Ever wondered what happens to those old/ broken skateboards? Well, some get turned into creative little bracelets like this one right here! www.maplexo.com
Maple XO
£11 Designed by Maiko Kuzunishi, her label Decoylab offers fun and playful products for your home and for you to wear. Take this quirky little hedgehog pin for example! All handmade items are earth Decoylab friendly. www.shopdecoylab.com
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Clear, minimalist and classic, this is the style of snug. All items are designed by Kerstin Reilemann, an interior designer and architect. Each design tells his own story and we’re in love! www.snug-online.com
Chi Chi Dee
snug.
£18
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The name of this Peter Pan collar really stood out for us ‘Minty Mountains’, it’s adorable! This has been created and designed by Leanne Garrity from Chi Chi Dee Handmade. A UK based label, whipping up the best accessories in town! www.chichidee.etsy.com
Lost At Sea
£11
Don’t let the name of this online shop fool you into thinking everything is expensive. We found this little bargain in the sale, we think this cupcake bell would look perfect on any bike around town. www.stylishlife.co.uk
Stylish Life
£15.60
We never get bored of nautical and Gothic inspired jewellery. Lost At Sea is a jewellery label based right here in the UK, sourcing their pieces from around the world. www.lostatseajewellery.co.uk
Unexpected Boutique
BOY! Roxie Sweetheart was such a hidden gem, stumbling upon this label made our day. It’s bright, cheerful and each piece of jewellery is what every girl needs in their life. This fawn ring is a perfect example. www.roxiesweetheart.co.uk
£25
Roxie Sweetheart
£6 You must visit Helen Bell’s online boutique, this designer creates fancy jewellery out of unusual materials, such as buttons and jigsaw pieces. Our favourite is this Teapot Charm Necklace. www.unexpectedboutique.co.uk
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Wolf & Moon
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olf & Moon is a handcrafted jewellery label by British designer Hannah Davis. Each piece in the online boutique has been carefully and lovingly handmade or handpicked by Hannah who recently graduated with a degree in Fine Art from Goldsmiths College in 2011. Hannah’s first online shop began at the impressive age of 17 reflecting on her passion and enjoyment for crafts from a very early age. The range of jewellery is made using a combination of perspex, wood and metal. Art deco and other vintage styles are the main inspiration for the pieces and her intention is to create pieces that are unique and eye-catching yet easily wearable. We are positive she has achieved this, by browsing the store you can see the diversity in the designs, they can go from complimenting an outfit to being a centrepiece. The exciting new collection entitled Inti named after the ancient Incan sun god is a symbol of which can be found on many South American flags and is part of the South American culture. Hannah took inspiration from this during recent travels to South America and uses wood, brass and copper to compliment the sun motif. This cleverly creates an earthy feel to the pieces. What some designers tend to do is focus on the piece of jewellery itself and they tend to forget about the importance of the chain which can often be the same one, but Hannah strives to create a full piece of jewellery that has its own character, she has achieved this by using vintage chains and it certainly works. You can buy Wolf & Moon jewellery by visiting her website at www.wolf-and-moon.com
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House of Land 16
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emma Land is an award winning British Artist who graduated with an MA from the prestigious London College of Communication. Let us tell you why she is so successful.
and even the Huffington Post. She has had sellouts in the online store the corner.com and Luisa Via Roma. Even the name of the collection is a visual delight.
Gemma’s long awaited second collection is nearly here. It is named the Strawberry Hill collection and will show a range of photographic print silk scarves. This work in particular is a series of monochrome and colour prints of London’s much-loved Strawberry Hill House. The prints are of the finest quality and hand finished in Britain. Gemma takes inspiration from the house which is a former home of MP Horace Walpole, Art collector and one of the first Gothic novelists.
Her style is exclusive because she fuses her photographic art with the function of scarves; and likes to play with architecture and often uses symmetry to create impossible structures and hallucinogenic patterns. Her aesthetic lies between the romantic and the Gothic, creating beautiful and yet often somewhat unsettling imagery. Gemma continually strives to push the photographic print in fashion to new directions this is emphasised in the second collection.
This inspiration and style has led Gemma to win the Wolf & Badger Graduate Design Award in 2011 and before that she achieved the Creative Archive Award in 2010 proving that her aesthetic choices and unique style is award winning with everybody.
In her first collection ‘Bourgeois Utopias’ which was launched by the Creative Archives at London and Paris fashion week, Gemma featured black and white images of English suburban houses and it was a great success which resulted in her work being published in Russian Vogue, Dazed Digital, AnOther
Gemma has taken a deep curiosity in the architecture of the house that was extended and built by masons. It is one of the first Gothic revival residences to influence the design of residential architecture. This factor is reflected beautifully in the collection of scarves, the designs romance the idea of the Gothic architecture and have an unusual exquisiteness about them. What is more they are high fashion and have a fascinating appeal to a diverse group of people, whether a scarf lover, art lover or even architect fan there is a design to suit each person. We are sure the Strawberry Hill collection will be as popular as the first.
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ustralian based Holly Leonardson started Pannikin in 2010, as a way of bringing her own illustrations to life. Holly decided to do this in the form of jewellery and now, in 2012, she has her own dreamy label full of delightful bespoke trinkets and accessories.
The designs that are closest to her heart are those that she has taken from drawings she created when she was just two and a half years old. With such a unique take on both illustration and jewellery creation, Holly has managed to turn Pannikin into something that is a complete delight to look at. Pictures of animals have been turned into wooden brooches and earrings that feature foxes and grandmas that create a simply adorable look. Keeping a style that is sweet and innocent; Holly’s work is beautifully designed. In her spare time, Holly likes playing in fields with her boyfriend, collecting vintage treasures, baking pies and playing with Pip and Poppy, her two pet guinea pigs. She also enjoys making her trinkets listening to 1960’s music. Holly’s newest range features a range of ‘craft’ themed jewellery, such as mini spool earrings, as well as her own supplies which include a collection of novelty buttons in a vast array of colours. The pieces that Holly has created simply give an instant ‘aw’ factor, and they are perfect to create a stylish vintage look.
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An interview with Amy Joslin
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Where are you from? I live in Reading, UK
Take us through a typical day of yours?
I’m still at college, so I wake up at 7:30 every day, drive to college for 9 and spend the day there, then sometimes I work afterwards or see my boyfriend, nothing that exciting! 29
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How long have you been blogging for? So far I have had my blog for one year and 9 months so quite a while, well it seems that way anyway!
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Who inspires your personal style fashion wise? I get a lot of my outfit inspiration from other fashion bloggers but if I had to choose a celebrity I’d have to choose maybe Alice Dellal, her style is totally awesome!
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Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Hopefully I’ll have graduated from university having moved out into my own place, with a job that involves fashion, like a magazine or running my own shop.
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What do you like to do in your spare time?
Obviously I love to blog, but I really enjoy photography and graphic design both of which I’m taking for A2 at college) and I love to create, like making my own jewellery or DIY-ing some shorts or a jacket, it’s so therapeutic and rewarding.
Any style tips you’d like to share?
Mix it up! I love chopping and changing my style, mixing trends together, and as long as you’re confident you can pull off any look so be adventurous!
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Turina Jewellery all started in 2010 in Amsterdam and since has been taking the European hotspots by storm. The jewellery is created by Sandra Turina, in her very own workshop when she decided after working many years in product conception for design companies she felt like it was time to create her own pieces of art, and we are so glad she did. Sandra has an innovative down to earth approach when it comes to her work that result in imaginative and efficient results. Her idea is to create small, uncomplicated pieces, readily manufactured and sold directly to her customers in an aim to bring pleasure to their owners. We’re pretty certain they do, as the pieces are lovingly presented on paperboard, ideal for making a lasting impression as a present. Although her designs are uncomplicated there is much thought that has gone into them, the use of unconventional materials make the jewellery unusual and fascinating. ‘Turina Jewellery demures: less is more’ which is certainly a correct statement as even though pieces are kept to a minimal there are well known objects in the jewellery such as small boats or acorns to create a fun desirable design. A splash of colour, shiny highlight or unrefined material in just the correct measure compliments the piece. This is something that is hard to achieve with jewellery because if you over-do it on colour or material then it can create a sloppy look but Turina Jewellery know exactly what works. This year an exciting new collection by Turina Jewellery has been launched. The ABC collection all started when Sandra wanted to experiment with different materials and serious design. The first thought was creating letter pendants as they appeal to people because they can be a symbol for something personal which achieves an air of exclusivity. With the help of graphic designer Lena Steinborn, together they developed the idea further to design each letter in a different way emphasising their individuality. That is 26 letters of hard work but in the end Turina Jewellery created a unique and endearing collection. What is magical about the ABC collection is that it is completely out of the ordinary, there are some designers who simply put a letter on a chain and sell it on but the ABC collection focuses on the individual resulting in whimsical dreamy pieces that suit any occasion. The bottom line is when you take a look at this collection you attempt to find excuses for every letter to mean something to you just so that you can buy it all.
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rgyle and Oxford is a clothing brand based in Jakarta, Indonesia and it was launched in 2010 by creators, Velda Anabela (also know as Argy “the deer”) and Rebecca Billina who is known as Oxy “the sheep”. The name of the label derives from the traditional knit pattern ‘argyle’ and the classic English brogue shoes ‘oxford’ and the idea behind the name is that when you wear argyle socks with oxford shoes it creates a quirky feeling and that is how the brand represents itself, with whimsical original designs. The brand already sounds like lots of fun doesn’t it? They don’t take themselves too seriously which is refreshing but at the same time they have clearly put a lot of thought into their designs. The recent pre-fall 2012 collection launched in Blueprint Singapore is named Two Lives and is inspired by the differences in life that constantly clash with one another but also form the perfect harmony together. To express this attitude the materials used are soft chiffon, sheer and light mixes with heavy faux gold leather. It sounds difficult to create aesthetically pleasing designs from such opposites, however Argyle and Oxford have mastered this and perfectly executed a more than satisfying collection. Within the collection there are beautiful dresses that are wearable for any occasion, in summer or winter for evening or daytime take your pick. There are a range of styles going on in Two Lives so we could even go as far as saying one day you could live the life of elegance and the next step out into the street looking stylish and smart.
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An interview with Brett Manning
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Can you tell us a little about yourself?
was born in Springfield, Illinois and then moved to Chicago when I was 18 to attend art school. I've got a degree in fashion design but I dislike sewing most of the time, I'd rather conceptualise and design garments I guess, but really, I've always been more of a visual artist/illustrator. Since I was little I have been drawing and painting - I've always known that my life would revolve around art.
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How did you start out as being an artist?
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have always been doing creative things; it’s just my nature, but as I got older I began to take it more seriously. People became responsive to my work, and it made me only want to make more. The internet helped me out a lot too. People from all over the world have had access to my work and I think that’s amazing!
What made you start draw� ing?
I
have no idea. I was born with a longing to create visually stimulating things. Mostly it’s all for myself because art makes me feel complete, so the people who like my work are just a great side-affect.
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We notice you also make quirky jewellery. Where did this idea come from?
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don’t know really! One day I just wanted to leave 2D work alone and start a new project completely. I love animals and my jewellery allows me to have a tiny, magical animal sculpture with me at all times!
Your artwork has a very mystical feel to it. Where do you take your inspiration from?
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he earth and its mystery. Science and the unknown and exploring the ethereal, making myself vulnerable, expressing pure passion and love.
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What is a typical day like for you in the world of Brett Manning?
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wake at 8:15am, press snooze, get up around 9-ish, go to Busy Beaver Button Company and meticulously place copper pins in the backs of roughly 4,000 one-inch badges. Go home, sometimes nap, sometimes not got home at all and go thrifting instead. Sometimes neither and go home and draw/paint/ or photograph. Once night falls, I go to a local show and watch friends play music for other friends. Perhaps I’ll have some beers, but not too much as I have to wake at 8:15am!
Do you have a faďż˝ vourite piece of jewellery you have designed?
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don’t think I have a favourite, I like them all the same. Because they are creature pendants, they all seem to have their own personality.
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Do you feel like you have progressed?
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veryday I learn something new, so yes. I think we are all progressing...
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Any exciting plans for the future?
’m going to work on some album artwork for some Chicago bands I know. In the spring time my husband and I want to visit England because I’ve got lots of family over there, but we must raise the funds! I am also going to start knitting more.
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K Vintage is a delightful limited edition jewellery line based in Portland and behind the magic is founder Anna Korte.
dedicated Anna is to her craft and her finds are incorporated into her work so expertly that you wouldn’t even believe it was handmade.
Let us tell you something lovely about Anna. She is one of those dedicated designers that hunt tirelessly through antique stores and estate sales for special pieces to be reborn into her work. The majority of the pieces come from the world of old costume jewellery warehouses and this is like a treasure chest for this sort of thing as Anna often uncovers small runs of vintage dead-stock chains and baubles. This overriding passion shows how
A wide range of different materials are used in Anna’s designs, leather is one which is recycled from antique leather gloves, and alongside the chains and baubles Anna creates pieces that are on current trends (but you wouldn’t find them in a high street) and they are wearable for any occasion whether casual or smart. If this isn’t enough, Anna names each of the designs after a chosen poet
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which puts a story into the piece and creates an exclusive feel that is not just aesthetically magical but also thoughtful. Part of the first collection names were borrowed bits and pieces from the works of E.E.Cummings, others are followed by the Spanish poet, Federico Garcia Lorca and 19th century nature essayist John Burroughs, so these designs are not only appropriate to go and buy for yourself but can also be purchased as a considerate gift for family and friends.
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Things Like B
ehind this label are two girls from a small town in South Germany who produce handmade jewellery and accessories as well as hand printed and reworked clothing. Each piece of clothing, jewellery or accessory is designed with love and care using the richest of materials.
The label takes inspiration from nature, music and dreams resulting in an imaginative collection. The main materials used are wood, ceramics and gemstones. The shirts are made with organic cotton so imagine how soft they are. Furthermore, the range of T-shirts come in all different shapes and sizes, they are mainly minimalistic with shapes on the front but this works really well, especially because they can be worn with anything. The jewellery is wholly nature-inspired, from fir cone to feather necklaces, simple and impressive. The label is diverse with clothing that adorns signature pieces of symmetry shapes which reflects upon the name of the brand. ‘Things Like Diamonds’ create pieces that customers would buy and treasure as if they are diamonds. The designs are precious and the materials authentic resulting in a wealthy and exclusive aesthetic.
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e Diamonds.
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LoveHate
oveHate is a Melbourne based label and began ten years ago by Geneine Honey who produces homewares, clothing and accessories.
Everything is designed in Australia, a factor that is exciting for us Brits who want something different from what we can find on our high street. The label is unconventional in the sense that its developments are not the norm, Honey uses applications of industrial processes to transform precious and non-precious materials into beautiful objects. This results in a unique piece of homeware, clothing or accessory. Materials range from rib wool to cotton and the colours consist of blue dust, old rose, charcoals and creams adding richness to the collection. When we look at the LoveHate’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection we wish summer would arrive already. The range is named ‘Sunshine, Rainbows & Sunday Afternoons’ instantly making you warm and happy. The collection is slightly different from the signature pieces and colours as it aims to bring summery goodness to everybody this means fresh chalk pastel colours, easy to wear jewellery, clothing and hosiery. Patterns and prints dominate the collection and knitted intricately and lovingly on to socks, printed on cute little pocket mirrors and hand screened on to coin purses, (we all love coin purses) pencil cases and even make-up bags. LoveHate not only brighten up bland everyday clothing and accessories but aim to please every individual.
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BlankBlank
lankBlank describe their label as ‘wearable feelings.’ Behind this fashion brand based in Latvia is Linda and Martins, a married couple of professional artists. Linda is a graphic artist whilst Martins focuses on functional design, they have intertwined their skills and dreams together to create elegant, minimal fresh shapes for both women and men.
They use techniques such as free hand silk-screening and bleaching, and the batik author technique and due to these processes each garment is individual and exclusive. They are made with joy and inspiration, it isn’t seen as work but a passion because they love to create everything themselves. The story behind BlankBlank is unalike many other brands as it came to them unintentionally. Linda has always been interested in fashion but her main profession was always graphics, this was until an experiment which saw Linda creating her own dress for the annual Art Academy carnival. She experimented with a mix of fabric refinement techniques and bravo! Linda knew the dress was an accomplishment which had the potential to start something when people complimented upon it and were even interested in buying something alike. What is even more remarkable about BlankBlank is that they are now part of a collaboration called Bleached Topography. This is between them and Keta Gutmane who is the one of most significant conceptual designers in Latvia, together they have been inspired by urban style, authenticity and creative experiments. They have focused strongly on textures, shapes and trends in order to thrust upon us the relation to street fashion and the underground youth scene. Linda on Bleached Topography, “I have always felt close to Scandinavian black-andwhite moods in graphic, and Keta adores black, so we already had some touch-points. Nevertheless the Bleached Topography collection is one of a distinguishing cut, as it is rather minimalistic in shapes. We got inspired by the northern nature, starry sky and urban landscapes.” Additionally ‘wearable feelings’ is 100% the way to describe BlankBlank who use minimalism yet perfectly accomplish clothes with a story behind them, garments that you can wear for self expression any day of the week.
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1) Atlas Genius - Back Seat 2) Pollens - Helping Hand 3) Imagine Dragons - Radioactive 4) Eddi Front - Texas 5) Valerie June - Workin’ WOman Blues 6) JJ - High Summer
7) Icona Pop - I Love It 8) Beth Jeans Houghton - Dodecahedron 9) The Postelles - White Night 10) Twerps - Dreamin’ 11) The Soft Pack - Bright Side 12) Generationals - Ten-Twenty-Ten
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Save the date
A Christmas Emporium. From 19th November to 23rd December, JaguarShoes Collective will bring together a selection of exciting food, fashion and design craftsmen to create a unique Christmas shopping emporium. To cater to all your Christmas needs they will be curating a series of retail pop-ups. Eight exciting brands will have three or four day slots to ‘take over’ the recently refurbished retail gallery and café-bar, ‘The Old Shoreditch Station’.
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