Neal Street in Covent Garden is turning into a a bit of a one-stop-drop for mid-priced shoes and trainers and the newest addition to the cluster that includes Office, Terra Plana, Sole, Birkenstock, Offspring etc hails from Sweden. KoS talked up Vagabond a few weeks ago and I came across it when I was in Stockholm, buying an emergency pair of flats that unfortunately had an issue with my ankles doing that annoying rubbing thing. However, when you look at the styles coming in for AW07-8, I simply have to forget about that isolated case of ankle rubbing as the styles are spot on for working with the outfits for the season. Tough, un-pretty and tweaked to the right level of androgynous for contrasting with ladylike skirt suits or de-sexying fetish-esque outfits. The black patent zip up boots with rivets absolutely need to be worn with a mid-calf straight wool skirt and a PVC loose top a la Chloe and a wool beret.
The men’s style range from elegant gentlemanly brogues to black wedge trainers.
Last night was the launch party of the first UK Vagabond store on Neal Street where I bumped into Rollergirl (love putting a name to a face) and some of the Catwalk Queen team. Inspecting the shoes in person, there is a sturdiness about them that suggest they are above the quality of say Topshop shoes in styles that are less mainstream. Remember how I said that there was a certain air of coolness about Stockholm style? You can detect the same thing in the shoes too. So instead of regularly turning to Office next door for fashion-forward, purse-friendly styles, I can look next door to something that pips Office to the post with that extra bit of edge. Or alternatively if you’re not London-based, they are online, but sadly shipping only to the UK, Sweden and Finland.
Some Vagabond launch-goers: I was stalking this girl because of her co-ordinated dottyness // A trio of neck-up accessorising (the brocade cap, the $$ sunglasses and the jingle jangle mish-mash necklace) // The lovely Gemma of Catwalk Queen in a French Connection dress.
I had no idea that there was a link on style.com (Stylefile) to this blog!
For a second there I thought you said “Vengaboys” instead of “Vagabond”. I was getting really excited until i re-read it hahha
my friend is so HOT 😉
o m g. that camel colored oxford with the patent toe is sensational. i have to have ittt, argh.
Oh my god I was tres excited to see cyber-celebrity Susie Bubble right there in front of me!! I wanted to get your photo but you’d fled before I go the chance 🙁
I am so annoyed because if my life had gone according to my plan 6 months ago, I would have been in London for this and I could have met you both!
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