Yes I know I know, I constantly have this tick-tock-tick-tock reminder going off over my head that Style Bubble Shops, a project which I naively embarked upon without realising how much work it would take, is being put on the backburner in a way that I absolutely hate. I’m a gal who basically survives on three hours of sleep a day and I like to cram plenty of activities/task/work in a day otherwise I get fidgety and restless. The fact that this project is being slowed down makes me not a happy bunny indeed….
Whilst I’m gathering all the information, images, techy-know-how to make this not a half-hearted project but a site that I can be proud to put my name on it, I thought it would be mean not to filter down the sort of only-a-Londoner-would-know type shops in the meantime. Giovanni’s on 114 Upper Street in Angel is a hairdressers. An old fashioned type unisex hairdressers/barbers shop.
But down the sharply steep spiral staircase in the basement, lies a nifty little designer consignment shop where cast-away Marni, Sophia Kokosalaki, Dries Van Noten, Chanel, Prada, Miu Miu, Chloe, Preen, Comme des Garcons can be found for prices that though aren’t bargain-basement (as the hidden away location might suggest) but then the finds aren’t bargain-basement type goods. The important thing of course is wearable condition that isn’t too mucky. I’m always on the lookout for designer consignment stores in London as they’re less prevalent than say in Paris. Hopefully, I’ll amass a good handful of addresses similar to Giovanni’s (the shop, not the hairdressers – descend quickly down the stairs as they might collar you for a haircut!) that will make London seem not too shabby designer consignment store-wise.
The clothes part is actually called Secondo Mano – they just rent the space – but don’t you think it smells of drains?
You know, Susie, you are a wonder. This will be one insider’s guide where the taste curator is unimpeachable.
That’s right. It’s a very good idea, this project. And: HOW CAN YOU SURVIVE WITH ONLY THREE HOURS OF SLEEP A DAY???????!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?!
what sort of prices?
Until a very short time ago, I lived on that street! I’m afraid I was rather put off Seconda Mano though, because one time I was in there and someone brought in a binbag of clothes and she and the proprietor had a chinwag about how they’d got the clothes from a charity shop somewhere posh and what a big markup they were planning to put on it. Hmmmm.
Wow… I didn’t get any whiffy drainpipe smell but Dexy, your story scares me slightly!
Hmm….
Cate: I hail from a family of workaholics…
Anon: Varies depending on the item but I saw Marni shoes for a little over £100 and a Preen dress for £75.
3 hours of sleep…glad to know I’m not the only human operating on minimal winks. 🙂 Have to say I love your blog and articles, though I don’t comment a lot. Just that your fashion is not my fashion, and our taste REALLY differs. But as with you, fashion is still my passion. I just don’t write about it like you do! =D
Hi nice post – Lol @ ‘Arse’