I promise that I’m not bluffing when I say the Style Bubble Shops project is still under construction but in the meantime, it would be a little bit meanie not to share the tidbits of London shop info wealth around. Camden Town is not somewhere I frequent that often these days. Oh the many days I spent lolling around Camden, when I first started delving into vintage clothes and having self-delusions of ‘cool indie chic’ in my 14 year old head. However, I had been meaning to pay Rough Sleepers up on Chalk Farm Road, a visit so on the gustiest/greyest/rainiest day (today), I nipped up there for a gander. Urban Junkies gave this store a bit of a thumbs up and I was curious as to the set up of the store which is that it is sort of like a high-end charity shop operated by the Novas Group. No, it doesn’t sell donated wares but rather, it stocks a selection of both up and coming and established labels, and all the profits made go back to Novas’ homeless initiatives. In the store’s training room, for those who are on the Novas Employment Work scheme, they are given the chance to produce something for sale in the store, which is where the Zest for Rough Sleepers in-store label comes from. Thus, this is probably a one-of-a-kind charity store that one won’t enouncter everday.
If I’m honest, the offerings for men are far superior to the womenswear so it’s worth dragging the guys just further up from Stables Market. The boyf did grumble but was placated by the amount of Stephan Schneider (Belgian, well-made, classic, nuff’ said), Dexter Wong (edgy pieces that don’t shout), Kim Jones (sporty smart stuff), Vinti Andrews (slouchy with hip-hop influences) and Jeroen Van Tuyl (classics with a twist). The space itself is also pleasantly bare/no-frills.
For the gals, there’s Berube, Paul & Joe Sister and a many an interesting piece from Sylvia Rielle, a French designer who I must definitely look into and Relax Garden, a Japanese label.
Rough, it ain’t. But it is a reason to trek to a place that holds too many memories of lolita goth black tutus and disgusting Chinese noodle shacks.
its such a shame i love this shop as its one of the only places to get Kim Jones and the Cutler and gross glasses are major but not alot of people know this shop and i know there having problems with buisness
And once again, how I lament not living in London..
everytime i visit London I go to Camden market.. i have this lovely amethyst vintage pendant from there that I cherish a tad more than my other jewellery..
This charity shop looks really unique. I especially like how they displayed their clothes. The mannequin shoppers pulling the carts full of clothes are so creative.
This shop is on my bus route (24), and when I am in London, I pass it at least once a day… and I’ve never gone in…(I never have time for mooching in shops when I’m over from NYC, as I’m usually on a fashion assignment, plus I thought it was urban street wear which isn’t my thing), but I am SO going in this week! Snippets of info like this is why I read blogs… thanks sweetpea. LLG xx
Susie, when you take photos of shops like this, do you ask permission first or do you just try and do it shadily? I’ve always wondered..
Hannah: I always ask… but these images were sent to me by their shop designer….
LLG: Yay for the 24… I used to get that but from the other end in Pimlico….! Do have a gander there…. though as I said, better for the man than the gal…
Anon: I did feel a slight twinge as it did have an air of ’emptiness’ about it that’s not quite right…. hope it survives the troubles!
First of all Susie, thanks for bringing this shop up! I went there today and got some amazing bargains (stephan schneider jumper and dexter wong blazer for around 40 quid each) I had a chat with the shop assistant and sadly the shop is to close in one month…this is kind of their closing sale. Business was just not that great due to the location…Apparently the shop is bought by novas, which will probably set up some other business at the same location in the future. This is Novas’ first attempt at a fashion shop…sad to see it go!
Thanks for the info… bande_a_part…. what a shame indeed!
thought it was urban street wear which isn’t my thing), but I am SO going in this week! Snippets of info like this is why I read blogs… thanks sweetpea.