The picture below might look like it was taken in 1982 but in fact, on 41 Temple Street, a lone shop on a mainly residential street lies something of a curiosity hole called King & Queen of Bethnal Green, that certainly isn't restricted to the 80s'. I was first alerted to its existence by designer Brooke Roberts who sent me the pictures of her window-takeover at KQBG. More about Roberts when I get images of her debut collection.
At King & Queen of Bethnal Green, I was literally assaulted with a wonder of things. When I walk around looking at wonderment, my eyes literally got a bit googly and my mouth is also a little open in an 'o' shape…. rendering a spaced/monged-out look. I think I had this look on my face the entire time. Kim, the owner opened her emporium three and a half months ago, the first one to take a gamble on an empty strip of shopfronts (incidentally, the boyf and I apartment hunted on this very street few months ago and remarked how lovely the shopfronts were…). A Central Saint Martins grad from around the Christopher Kane-era, Kim opted to fill a space with a curated mixture of things, supporing young designers, showcasing her found objects/vintage, selling/lending pieces to stylists and in general getting her taste out there… that is best illustrated with the slew of pictures…
There's vintage Westwood, Comme des Garons pieces…
Kim's own leatherwork label is also on sale- weathered brogues, ponyskin boots, battered saddle bags all mingle with a mixture of her travelling finds – trinkets, accessories and pieces from all over the world…
Like any multi-faceted curated space, music and literature feature. At KQBG, you get collectible records and in the glass cabinet at the moment there are first edition William Burroughs books, a space that Kim intends to change on a regular basis…
The mix is further augmented when you have the likes of Lily Allen dropping off Alexander McQueen dresses (the blue on the right…. beautiful print…) and Parisian vintage finds…
Delving a bit further and Kim tells me she did some extensive fur work for Jean Paul Gaultier, the A/W 08 collection in particular where fur has been painstakingly cut and ingrained with different patternations…
This month, King & Queen of Bethnal Green is hosting the work of some seriously unsung talent… Wendy Olver who makes headpieces, hats, ranging from the simple to the dramatic. A snakeskin pillbox hat particularly took my fancy. Gabriella Ingram makes corsets for the Royal Opera and upon browsing her website the most extraordinary range of materials are used that are not restricted to conventional corsetry fare.
Then there's Brooke Roberts whose tailoring I'm looking forward to talking up as she has just established her own label after stints at Giles and Louise Goldin….
Kim's multi-stranded work extends to leatherworking to the finest quality and I tried on a draped Edwardian puff sleeve jacket, where the p
uff can be adjusted in supple black leather and grey suede… me thinks I've found a potential leather collaborator for another dressmaking tale…
I ended up buying a vintage cream satin undergarment dress from Paris that has this ruching detail on the hips on my underwear slant (when am I NOT on an undie as outie rage…?)…
Just talking about all of that is a bit exhausting and in all honesty, King and Queen of Bethnal Green is a place that needs to be seen and given that it will be expanding into an even bigger basement space (for showcasing young designers/graduates and doing appointments in) and Kim is also getting into designing her own silver jewellery, who knows how multi-faceted this kingdom on Temple Street can get.
The puff sleeve jackets are awesome – and they suit you so well!
oh wowza! that is so so so on my list for post-dissertation home-going-and-shop-visiting!!! it looks so eclectic and fun and… well, words fail me. which happens so very rarely ;-D
gorgeous in that slip dress.
xxxc
Very cool, I´ll be sure to check it out ext time I´m in London!
Oh my! I didn´t see that leather jacket. It is sooo fabulous there is no words!
looks intriguing! the slip is gorgeous, it’ll be so useful. x
Definately going to check this place out when I’m in London next week. What’s the price range like?
ridingthecarrousel.blogspot.com
My mouth would be in an “0” too! It sounds absolutely fantastic.
Love the jacket! This looks like a great place to visit, what are the prices like?
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I’m moving to london in the next few months and this will definitely be a stop on my next visit! Thanks so much for sharing. The dress/slip you found is fab!
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I have to visit when I’m next down in London, looks like such a treasure trove!
Looks like an amazing shop that you could spend hours in!
cannot stop staring at that glorious puff jacket. 0_0
Those jackets you’ve tried on, as well as the lingerie dress you bought are so nice…
ooooohhhhh I want to go to there! And get that sequined blouse!
i love that leather jacket you tried on! the puff shoulders looks so amazing.
Thanks for sharing, definitely the kind of place I like. Won’t miss it during my next trip to London.
I think you only needed to say two words to me to grab my attention ‘Lily Allen’ oh and maybe ‘dropped off a dress here’
I’m planning my way there already ;).
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xoxo
oh mon dieu!! this shop looks amazing!!! wish I should have stay in London more..thninking of going back only for the shop 😉
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That looks like my dream shop! So sad I won’t be coming to London in September or I would have checked this out for sure.
I love those puff sleeve jackets and your dress of course!
that looks like such a treasure trove of a shop! i bet you could spend a whole day in it!
I love places like that, stores that look like Ali Baba’s cave and not like an empty space for rent!
This look slike such an amazing treasure trove of goodies, and it does menswear too. It’s right on my doorstep so I’m going to be heading down there next weekend! It’s about time Bethnal Green had some shops of this caliber.
…a must-go! Next time when I’m in London I definitely need to see this place!
stef
http://www.stef-fauser.de
Now that is shopping heaven. Too bad i’m on the other side of the world!
I didn’t finish filling up my url. haha, so here it is.
wow, this looks like a fabulous shopping experience! really need to check it out. cute dress you bought! xo
http://www.fashionistadiary.co.uk
I used to work in Bethnal Green, but I left just at the time that this cute shop was opening! I am defo going to check it out..
Ohh I will have to check that one out, thanks!
Yeah I used to live just off Temple Street and I used to pop in there every now and again. Kim the owner is a lovely, intriguing and interesting woman plus the place is great for grabbing a unique piece or for just browsing the lovely vintage dresses and coats!I miss it- I really do!
oh beauty. Love that kind of shop. Absolute treasure trove. You look more than decent in the dress. now that’s quite a compliment for wearing underwear outside you know. 😛 haha just kidding.
We almost rented a flat on this street too; we went for a look one evening last week and it was next door to this intriguing window!
Sadly, we were too slow and it was let…or maybe not, I imagine much money would be spent if one lived with this as a next door neighbor!
The shop was fantastic!
Kim is a friend of mine, I have bought some amazing shoes from her!
(I have posted about them too!)
what an incredible store.
i was at columbia road market on sunday buying flowers when i saw you and you smiled. i just realised it was you from your pictures above. people should smile more often x
its a nice store and have a huge collection of thing. i wish to check it must at once
I’m so sad, this I think this shop is now gone 🙁