London shopping: Ryantown

It's no secret that I adore Rob Ryan. I mean, what’s not to love? The man is as much obsessed with bird, flower and plant motifs as I am, and his extraordinary paper-cutting talents are constantly called upon for creative collaborations by the likes of Paul Smith, Liberty and Vogue.

Dress for UK Vogue.

So when I got the fluro-pink birdy invitation to the opening of his very first shop on Columbia Road recently, I was there in a (tiny sparrow’s) heartbeat. Ryantown isn’t hard to miss, with its jaunty new lick of turquoise-blue paint and gleeful cursive signage. Inside, the bijou shop has the air of a gallery space, with an eye-catching floor-to-ceiling tile mural and Ryan’s artwork dotted around the walls.



Now, keep in mind that a mid-week evening soiree on Columbia Road bears little resemblance to the heaving begonia-laden crowds who flock to the street for the famous Flower Markets every Sunday. So I took full advantage of the distinct lack of people and peonies for a closer inspection of Ryan’s new wares.



Taking pride of place above the mantle are rows of Ryan’s hand screen-printed tiles, which are fired nearby in his studio’s kiln. At £24, these miniature artworks are ultra-affordable, and have already attracted a loyal following of shoppers on Etsy. Displayed together in a palette of muted brights, it’s hard to resist these perfect little pieces of Ryanisms. At the other end of the scale are Ryan’s limited edition prints from £350 and incredible paper artworks from £2000 (unframed).


But I was keen to suss out Ryan’s new products, and spied a range of laser-cut wooden keys-to-my-heart at £16 and rolls of chunky tape featuring a blue and white neighbourhood tableau at £10. I know that nobody needs a decorative roll of tape for £10, but wait until you clap eyes on these little beauties and see if you can resist their demand to be picked up and lovingly stuck to brown paper packages and the like.

There’s also a brand new range of exclusive t-shirts, some gorgeous paper-cut cards at a very reasonable £2.50, and signed copies of Ryan’s book, This is for You, at £12. You can also pick up the Clothkits make-your-own Rob Ryan skirt for £46.




I’m told that more stock is on its way, with a rather enticing promise of new pieces rolling in every week. For instance, a range of one-off ceramic platters and vases will be regularly added to the shop, and new “height rulers for human beings”– great for kids’ rooms – will be arriving in-store soon. A wee birdy also told me about an upcoming stool in collaboration with furniture designer Michael Marriott. Busy times for Mister Rob – and I’ll definitely be coming back on Sundays for more (battling the begonias and all).


Ryantown
126 Columbia Road
London E2 7RG
Email: ryantownshop@googlemail.com
Check out Ryantown's shop blog.

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Saturday 1pm-4pm
Sunday 9am-4pm

Nearest tubes: Liverpool Street and Bethnal Green

For more shops in East London, click here.

Birdy pick of the week

Rob Ryan & Tatty Devine “This bell will ring” necklace, £210, from Tatty Devine.

I know - it's more Rob Ryan and Tatty Devine - but I went to the launch of their jewellery collaboration last week, and spied this gorgeous bird and bell necklace. How could I NOT choose it for birdy of the week? It's a limited edition piece of 25.

Rob Ryan + Tatty Devine = Must-have jewellery

Bird Lady II screenprint, US$500, from Mister Rob's Etsy shop.

A wee birdy (ahem, lovely Jess from Cult Beauty) told me that Mister Rob "heavenly paper-cuts artist" Ryan and Tatty "legendary acrylic jewellery designers" Devine have recently joined creative forces for a limited edition jewellery range.

Stay tuned for a first peek at the Tatty Devine pieces, which are based on prevalent themes (think whimsical birds, plants, flowers and folk) from Rob's work. Apparently one of the most special pieces is a heart-shaped piece of jewellery which can be custom-made to feature your top ten favourite things. Not exactly sure how that works but it sounds magical.

I can't think of a better creative collaboration - Tatty Devine will no doubt replicate the exquisite detail in Rob's artwork and infuse the pieces with their trademark pop-fantastic vibrant hues.

Rob is also exhibiting his paper cuts at the Tatty Devine gallery space in Brick Lane, including three or four giant paper cuts.

The jewellery and paper cuts will be available from 24 April at Tatty Devine.

Tatty Devine's cult-classic plectrum charm bracelet, £36.

Tatty Devine

236 Brick Lane
London E2 7EB
Tel. 020 7739 9191
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 11am-6pm
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

57b Brewer Street
London W1F 9UR
Tel. 020 7434 2257
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 11am-7pm
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

London shopping: MarMarCo

As regular Wee Birdies may already know, I’m rather fond of shopping on Cheshire Street. It’s rarely crowded, not far from where I live, and it offers the best line-up of independent boutiques in London. MarMarCo is one of its wee gems. This small shop at number 16 specialises in contemporary homewares and gifts, mainly of European and British design.



There’s also a whole lot of Scandi-love going on here, thanks to Danish co-owner Marianne Lumholdt. Pick up Danish goodies such as undyed felt slippers (£47.50), Kähler striped ceramic vases (£19.50-£49.50) and Randers water-resistant leather gloves (£37.50). I dig the delicate hand-made porcelain jewellery by Louise Kragh and the collection of baby clothes by Danish label Holly’s Baby (socks for £4 and onesies for £20).



The shop is particularly good at offering a wide range of items that tick all the right boxes in terms of beautiful design at good price points. And I’m never disappointed when I'm on a mission for finding The Perfect Gift. Right now I’ve got my eye on the modish spherical birdfeeder (£34.95), multi-pin candlesticks (which give the illusion of candles floating on air, Hogwarts-style, £27), and the surreal gold and silver plant-like spoons (from £13).




It also stocks an excellent range of Vynil Domestic’s decorative wall stickers (from £25) and laser-cut mirrors (from £45). Other highlights include the Bolivian Fairtrade Cashlama throws, scarves and shawls (from £75), Höganäs Keramik’s range of dinnerware (for the prettiest coloured glazes) and Cecilie Manz pendant lamps (£98). Oh, and did I mention that Sarah Jessica Parker is also a fan?



Mar Mar Co
16 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel. 020 7729 1494

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Friday and Saturday 1pm - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm
(Other times by appointment)

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
For more shops in East London, click here.

What to take home Wednesday: Mimi purse

The Gracie leather purse, £40, by East London handbag designer Mimi Berry, is a classic design and comes in a range of beautiful colours like antique gold, ruby red and burnt orange. Berry, a Central Saint Martins graduate, has built a reputation for quality leather handbags that marry practicality with understated style.

Mimi
40 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel: 020 7729 6699

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am-6pm
Sunday 11am-6pm

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

For other shops on Cheshire Street, click here.

Happy Valentine's Day

I found these gorgeous hand-made paper Valentines at Broadway Market on Saturday. *Swooon!* They're like modern-day Victorian Valentine's greetings, with strips of lace paper doilies adding a decorative touch. I'm not sure if this stall will be a regular at Broadway Market (since V-Day comes just once a year) but it was just next door to the divine Violet Cakes stall.

Special thanks to LondonDaily Photo for the use of this photo, which was much nicer than mine!

For more shops and market stalls on Broadway Market, click here.

London shopping: Bernstock Speirs

There is something seductive about a millinery boutique and the allure of dozens of different hat styles to transform your look. And at Bernstock Speirs’ bijou boutique on Brick Lane, it’s hard to resist playing dress-ups with their endearingly quirky range of around 40 different hat styles for men and women.



Traditional and wearable styles are given the signature Bernstock Speirs twist, with an unexpected and eclectic use of materials. Take, for instance, their classic black trilby, which has been updated with a slash of orange around the base (£97), or their fabulous range of winter beanies complete with netted veiling and pom-poms (£45).



The talented duo behind the brand, Paul Bernstock and Thelma Speirs, have been stalwarts of the London fashion and club scenes since the ‘80s. In fact, their very first creation was that iconic open-brimmed hat for Kylie on her debut Kylie album in 1988.


Fast forward to spring/summer 2008 and the line-up features reinvented classic straw designs in a delicious palette of powdery pastels with bold details like fat black webbing bows. I love the fabulous straw visors with veiled netting.






With a loyal clientele since the ‘80s including Boy George, Grace Jones and Madonna, Bernstock Speirs continues to grow its fanbase with the likes of Britney Murphy, Kirsten Dunst, Babyshambles, Karl Lagerfeld and local actor Ralph Fiennes all wearing their designs.



International stockists include Colette (Paris), Penelope & Gerard (Italy), Pool & F95 (Germany), Fenwicks, (UK), Fred Segal (USA) and Comme des Garcons (Japan).


Bernstock Speirs
234 Brick Lane
London E2 7EB
Tel. 020 7739 7385

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 11am – 6pm
Saturday and Sunday 11am – 5pm

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

For more shops in East London, click here.
Spring/Summer lookbook pics courtesy of Bernstock Speirs.

What to take home Wednesday: Altered journals

The perfect journal is tangible (ie. not online), tactile and has lots of hidey-holes to stash the assorted paper detritus one accumulates over a 12-month period (think letters, bills, bad jokes from Christmas crackers, photos, business cards and difficult-to-decipher scrawled notes).

London-based designer Jessie Chorley makes altered journals from the body of an old book, and creates “new” blank pages from an assortment of vintage and recycled papers, as well as envelopes, stitched pockets and old-school typewritten messages and reminders. Beautiful and handy.

Jessie’s books can be purchased online, or you can buy them from her wonderfully whimsical stall, Un-Petit-Cadeau, at Broadway Market in Hackney on Saturdays.

Jessie Chorley
Un-Petit-Cadeau
Saturdays, Broadway Market

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Nearest tube: Bethnal Green Station
Nearest train: London Fields BR

For more market stalls and shops on Broadway Market, click here.
For more shops in East London, click here.

(p.s. while you're there, check out the exquisite bird-themed jewellery by Buddug Humphreys.)

What to take home Wednesday: Vintage Union Jack cushions

Anglophiles will love these embroidered cushions, made from vintage Union Jack flags by London designer Kate Halfpenny. £85, from Luna and Curious.

Luna and Curious
198 Brick Lane
London E1 6SA
Tel: 020 7033 4411

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Thursday to Sunday 12pm-6pm

Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

For more shops in East London, click here.

London shopping: traditional Christmas decorations

If you love traditional European folk art decorations, make a beeline to East London right now.

Head to Shelf on Cheshire Street for their endearing range of hand-carved Christmas decorations from the Erzgebirg region in Germany. These traditional wooden folk art decorations, otherwise known as Erzgebirgische Volkskunst, are highly collectable and come in a variety of scenes and figures. I love the wooden spinners, which are generated by lit candles, as well as the ornately carved trees and the tiny wooden figurines. Best to get in now because Shelf has reduced the price on these decorations by 40 per cent.







Shelf
40 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel: 020 7739 9444

Opening hours:
Friday afternoon by appointment only
Saturday 1pm-6pm
Sunday 11am-6pm
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

Nearby on Shoreditch High Street, you can pick up some adorable traditional Swedish decorations from art supply store Cowling & Wilcox, starting at 75p for a mini red horse. The store’s owners have Swedish roots, and the handmade decorations are all based on traditional folklore.

The decorations are also available in their Soho and South London stores. If your tree is already full (although, there’s always room for one more, yes?), tie on a wee Swedish star or angel to your Christmas parcels. Brown wrapping paper with red ribbon would look ace.

Traditional Swedish Christmas decoration, £2.25, from Cowling & Wilcox.

Cowling & Wilcox
West London:
26-28 Broadwick Street
Soho, London W1F 8HX
Tel: 020 7734 9556
Opening hours:
Monday-Friday 9.30am-6.30pm
Saturday 10am-6pm

South London:
8-12 Orpheus Street
Camberwell, London SE5 8RR
Opening times:
Monday-Friday 9.30am-6.30pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 12pm-5pm

East London:
112 Shoreditch High Street
Shoreditch London E1 6JN
Tel: 020 7033 3685
Opening times:
Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 12pm-5pm

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.