Monki Around

6a00e5508e95a988330133f376bb05970b-640wi.jpg

I'd like to say the title was a very original/witty creation of my own but alas, Property Week beat me to it.  Actually trusty Property Week was supposed to my only source of information regarding H&M's physical store UK expansion plans with the primarily Swedish chain Monki.  I hear Monki banded about randomly on many a Scandi fashion blog (overriding theme of all of them – that Scandi girls and boys are sickeningly cool looking…) and I have been Monki-converted, the one time I did pop into the stores and didn't know where to look because I was either distracted by the graphic treatment of the stores (Monki creates its own fantasy-driven worlds for their stores, disregarding the one-shop-fits-all method) or the clothes which are just a little sub-Topshop prices that whilst being trend-driven are never overly referential and seem to fit into a style mould of their own that I can't describe as anything but Scandi-cool.  Urgh…I think I may have used that phrase in an interview I gave at Stockholm Fashion Week and even as I said it, I could feel my eyeballs wincing at the non-specific vagueness of that term…

Monki

All I can say is that what the clothes exude is something that I feel courses through the streetstyle of Stockholm or Copenhagen, and at the admirable pricing, therefore would make it a pleasing addition to our busting UK high street.  I also like the fact that whilst Monki is a chain, it gives off the impression of having a spirit about it that is independent which is well-reflected in its store fits, website and now publication which I stumbled upon accidentally.

On my last day of Stockholm Fashion Week though, I was fortunate enough to run into Eleonore Nygards who I knew from her own blog and her work at Modette magazine (blub blub…).  She's now doing work for Monki and has recently project managed the first issue of Monki magazine which I got my hands on.  She also let slip that the e-store for Monki as well as COS will be launching in the UK next year.  Not sure if that's a piece of confidential information but it of course would make sense as H&M's e-commerce arm is about to launch this month.  The magazine though which adds to the publishing activities that both COS and H&M do now on a regular basis was as expected, wonderful in illustrative aesthetics and also goes beyond the usual mounds of product listings by adding editorials and little featurettes. 

DSC_3433

DSC_3435

DSC_3437

DSC_3440

DSC_3443

DSC_3447

DSC_3449

DSC_3452

DSC_3453

Back to Property Week though – it says that H&M haven't made a comment regarding opening stores in the UK it's only rumoured that they're looking for London locations.  The article suggests that perhaps the British high street is too over-saturated and crammed with stores for Monki to get a look in.  But lo and behold, Monki has just opened its first store in Hong Kong which I suppose does mean I can get my Monki fix on my next trip back to the motherland but still, I'm sure Oxford/Regent street can budge up on the store fronts to make room for some Monki action – who's up for replacing that awful strip at the beginning of Oxford Street (TCR end…) or the random shops selling luggage with Monki?

30 comments

  1. Wow and e-commerce site is definitely needed for Monki, I can tell that I will be ordering loads! I just like how they offer something different on the High Street to the usual fare, maybe a Carnaby Street location would be better suited?

  2. Ah I did a post about Monki’s latest collection recently, I’m in LOVE with them! I really wish they would open in the UK (online store preferably, we can’t all be in London sadly, boo hoo). Really fantastic prices for what they offer.

  4. When I was in Stockholm last Summer there was talk of opening Monki stores in the UK. I wonder what happened to that.
    Either way, Monki is easily one of my faves high street stores in the WORLD x

  5. this makes me so happy!!!! i’m wearing monki right now! it’s such an amazing store with clothes so different but really adaptable to your own style, and such great quality!xx

  6. Great blog Susie – just on the Oxford Street issue the problem with the TCR end of the street is that, because it is shabby, we’re not seeing many retailers want to open down that end (though the effect of Primark signing to open its largest store in Europe, and its second on Oxford Street, at this end of the street could change that.)
    At the West (nice) end of the street it is pretty crammed but I think there are ways of doing clever deals. Spanish fashion brand Desigual has recently agreed to open a store in the shop which is currently occupied by Disney, with Disney moving to open a bigger shop elsewhere. And with two H&M’s on the street perhaps they could do some jiggery pokery to fit them in?

  7. i heart Monklll!!!! so fab
    check out my fashion blog at thetalesofselfindulgence.blogspot.com
    i just updated two new posts… dont miss!!! xoxo

  8. monki just opened in amsterdam too… figures that when i move back to sydney from living in holland, my favourite high street store opens in amsterdam :(((((((
    hoping australia gets some good highstreet retail lovin soon (and i dont mean zara or gap…)

  11. I’m SO up for a UK Monki, I’ve been praying for one for such a long time and I didn’t even realise their stores were so gloriously individual [also hoping hard for a UK Weekday at some point].
    How would I get my hands on one of the Monki magazines though – was it sent to you?

  12. I am absolutely in love with this brand. I agree with you about the individual feel of each store, it def gives a new concept to the word ‘chain’. I think other brands could learn from it!
    I can’t wait for both the H&M e-commerce site to launch and for Monki to get on board.
    Thanks for sharing this.
    Sarah Betty xx
    http://www.sarahbetty.co.uk

  13. If they can make room up and down Oxford Street etc for tacky, generic, souvenir shops… then I’m pretty sure they can spare some space for a new, and interesting brand to come in! Mix it up people, come on now… haha.

  15. OMG if Monki comes to UK I think I will jump with Glee. I loved Monki when I visited Sweden and Finland. Some of teh stuff is a bit too teenage bright for me but a lot of good basics and interesting pieces. Scandi’s do dress effortlessly cool. Gone are the days where I am forcing my Finnish friends to order Monki clothes for me. 😀

  16. Style Bubble you always seem to have an infinate source of new (to me!) brands and tid bits of fashion information. Once again i will be checking out this brand thanks to your reccomendation. So thank you!x

  17. i found out about monki whilst browsing on stockholm street style blogs. gutted by the fact they do not have an online store or a physical store anywhere near London i am making a one day trip next week to Sweeden (via ryanair) to check it out!!

  19. I am collecting fashion magazine but I think I don’t have that kind of magazine yet. I can see that it has very informative articles. I need to get a copy of that magazine.

  20. wow thanks for sharing! I haven’t heard anything about it being in Hong Kong, do you happen to know the location of the store? Thanks!
    X

  23. Monki, i’m not so sure about it. I visited the store yesterday in Amsterdam. The interior is sooo confusing and almost scary with all the mirrors, not a really good shopping experience. Some of the clothes are really nice and intersting and some are really crappy made, a lot of synthytics. It’s a weird mix between the abstract scandinivian style I like so much and trashy teenage clothes. But I do think it is great to have the store here in Amsterdam.

  28. Ohh I love monki! I just got their magazine this week 😀
    For those who don’t have it yet, I think you can still sign up on their website if you want them to send one to you 🙂

  29. TCR is such a let down….all those weird silly shops selling typical tacky ‘goth’ gear and cheap pvc coats (and not the good kind) and the others selling london tourist tat – hideous (as much as i am partial to a teapot in the shape of a postbox…). Plus its so close to Central Saint Martins charing cross site it should surely be a hub of creative activity (the activity being shopping ofcourse!!!) but its not….i dont get it?….

  30. Thanks Susie! Yup, there was actually an article in the paper about it today, but it’s not opening until Sept 30th, by which time I’ll be back in London. 🙁

Comments are closed.