On My Mind: June
Paris packing, recent shopping, wooden ducks...
Hey,
I’m writing this from my flat in North London, a few hours before my 8pm Eurostar to Paris. After a heat delay, I’ll be there from tonight (Wednesday) until Monday morning, and the compressed four day schedule is packed, but in the best way. To survive walking for hours in 103°F weather, I’m pulling up with a handheld fan, a neck fan, small umbrella, and three battery packs.
I’ll look ridiculous, but I’m excited to see old friends and new collections, and bring you along to all of it.
But for now, I’m still here, enjoying some final precious hours directly in front of my living room fan. And I realised that if I didn’t send my June camera roll/notes app dump today, it would have to wait until July, which is no good. Below, where I’ve been, what I’ve bought, what I’ve saved, and what I’ve packed for Paris. Enjoy!
If you’re new here, here’s what this same send looked like last month.
June Finds
I finally made it to Jake’s, and the man is as welcoming as everyone says. His knits and outerwear rightfully receive all the attention, but I loved the bag charms / hanging tokens made (I believe) by his partner, Stefan Cooke, and sold in Jake’s Saturday space for less than £100.
I also stepped into Garbstore during a rare outing to West London, and came across their latest house line, TDR. Lots of great textures, but especially the “American Waste” T-shirts—really soft, vintage American T-shirts that Garbstore sources, then overdyes and lightly distresses. I grabbed one in red, below. (Speaking of colourful vintage tees, I would go see Chad’s GAP trove if I was in NYC.)
On the aesthetic flip-side, this was a peaceful post.
I also went back to the bi-weekly antiques market held at Kempton Racecourse. My mum goes religiously, I go a few times a year, and should go more: It’s still the greatest Tuesday morning for those with the stamina to get out there and take it on. This time, I left with two Indonesian wooden ducks, below. (When I went with Carter in the winter, he bought a roll of fabric, also below, which ended up as an exclusive CY shirt for one of his retail partners.)
Speaking of ducks, or duck relatives, I also stopped by East London vintage store Goose Finds for the first time. Also, back West, by Hornets, where I found an old, Auralee-coded Thomas Pink shirt for a mere £28, below right.
Cecile also had a special show at Twos, London’s actual best vintage store (where I bought the silly, uplifting sweatshirt below left.) Regarding the the show, Eilidh Duffy’s Bog recap is exceptional, but stay tuned for Wardrobe’s visit to Tulkens’ studio. I’ll be publishing it post-Paris, it was a really special one.
I’m not sure what Singing With My Friends is, but I want to go. And now there’s merch too…
Okay, Paris packing. Given the no layers, no ice cubes forecast, it was easy: My four lightest shirts (Fuji, vintage Comme, vintage Armani, vintage Thomas Pink), some Dry-Lite Lady White Co. T-shirts, the Lady White Co. x Kaptain Sunshine cotton-linen pants, the Mfpen Commission Chino. Plus my French national football team athletic shorts, which have zip pockets (the England ones don’t), and will probably be worn more than anything. On the feet, Birkenstock Arizonas, Hari Mari flip flops, Doek cork insole court sneakers.
Keith Henry came through London on his way to Paris—his first time in 11 years—and we had lunch. He’s taking his beloved Phigvel Aviator boots into the furnace, and also hoping to get to Astier de Villatte’s store for a full sniff test while he’s in the French capital. Other than that, more of his own incredible creations are on their way.
Finally, if I could get it, I’d be bringing this new Warehouse T-shirt to Paris because of its perfect motto: Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost. Talk to you out there!
