5 Pieces I'm Hankering After this April
All from small, independent brands.
There’s nothing I love more than coming across a new (to me) brand that creates beautifully designed, well-made pieces and has ethical production practices. I’m all for a great high street find (you’ll see me recommending pieces from COS, Massimo Dutti and Uniqlo U) but there’s something magic about a small brand that’s doing its own thing and finding inspiration in unlikely places. Like Mahala, mentioned below, that started after inspiration struck from a pair of 1970s gardening trousers. Or Matière Studio, listed further down, a brand that’s influenced by art and design, resulting in accessories that are sculptural yet very wearable.
So dig in, enjoy these five beautiful pieces from small, independent brands, and let me know if you go for any.
Mahala Green Irish Linen Trousers
Last week, I was with my cousin who was wearing an incredible pair of green wool pleat front trousers with a relaxed fit. My immediate question: “Where are those amazing trousers from??”. His response was a little independent shop in London’s Crouch End, that the clothes are almost all unisex, and that I would love it. That shop is Mahala and it wasn’t long before I was looking it up online and mentally adding multiple pieces to my basket. All of Mahala’s clothing is made in London from natural fibre fabrics - including this green pair pictured above that’s made from 100% Irish linen. They have a high waist, loose fit, and pleat front - essentially everything I love in a pair of trousers and more.
Kanware Iris Top
Maybe it’s my recent taste of sun during my trip to South Africa but I’m drawn to light, summery pieces at the moment. I spotted this top on Kanware’s Instagram a few days ago and love the elegant simplicity of it. It’s made from 100% cotton and has adjustable side strings which let you to tie in bows at the side, or wrap around the chest to create a completely different look. Kanware is a small brand based in Bangkok that ships worldwide. This top is currently a pre-order item and according to the website, it can take 2-3 weeks before it’s shipped.