Hidden treasures – Page 3

Architectural adventure

Published on September 21, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

If you’ve always wanted to take in the view at The Shard or explore the inner towers of the iconic Battersea Power Station, but don’t fancy having to remortgage for the experience, then this may be the weekend for you. For two days only, a vast number of London’s finest architectural landmarks are opening their doors for free. Yes, that’s free! Named ‘Open House London’ this annual weekend event allows you to take in Tower 42 in the City (once the tallest skyscraper in London) and even snoop around 10 Downing Street. Well, technically numbers for the viewing of the Prime Minister’s residence and The Shard have already been allocated by ballot, but there are still plenty of other famous buildings to explore.

Battersea Power Station (image source: Creative Commons/Aurelien Guichard)

No 10 Downing Street (image source: Open House)

Open House was started in 1992 as a not-for-profit organisation promoting our fantastic architecture. Their aim is to get people to look around them and learn about the structure and history of some of our beautifully designed constructions. Often buildings that are not usually accessible to the public (like the aforementioned Battersea Power Station) are included in the long list of participants. The event has been so popular that it has been replicated in numerous cities internationally, including New York, Melbourne, Rome and even Jerusalem.

Tower 42 (image source: Open House)

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden (image source: www.timeout.com)

Most of the buildings are on a first come first served basis, so you best be quick if you want to peruse the plum locations. It’s already mid-morning and we all know what they say about the early bird…

London’s Open House runs from 21^st-22^nd September- visit www.londonopenhouse.org for more info.

For ideas of where to head this weekend check out Time Out’s guide to the top venues: http://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/open-house-london-our-highlights

Main image – Cutty Sark. Source: www.timeout.com

Magical mending

Published on August 16, 2013 by Alicja JasnikowskaLeave a comment

This week I was on a shoot and the lovely Assistant Editor Ellie mentioned an amazing company that (I am embarrassed to admit) I had never heard of. As a stylist I am often asked about my top fashion tips and tricks and I have to say this one rates very highly.

The painstaking process

The company is called British Invisible Mending Service Ltd http://www.invisiblemending.co.uk. I know it’s not the sexiest title or the trendiest name, but it does explain exactly what it does ie. invisible mending. What this means is that if you have a jacket, trousers, coat or a cashmere jumper (in fact any woven or knitted garment) that has been torn, tarnished by a cigarette burn or eaten by moths this amazing company will fix it. As new! I kid you not. The pictures on the site are astounding. With nearly a century’s experience this business employs clever and highly skilled technicians who remove threads from the inside hidden seams, and hand-weave these back into the damaged garment to fill any holes or tears.

Before

After

It comes highly recommended by Ellie who once used it to fix a huge tear in a vintage velvet maxidress, and from looking at the website most of the fashion, TV and film industries are also huge fans. Even Sir Alan Sugar has paid a visit (or one of his assistants has on his behalf). They also offer alterations and a made-to-measure suit service in their London store, or you can send your repairs to their head office in Wales should you not live in London. The repairs aren’t cheap, but they do look fantastic and are well worth the money if you have a favourite designer piece that has been damaged. Thanks for the recommendation Ellie.

For the London store call 0207 4874292.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. Saturday 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

For Head Office contact 01443 433344

Further information at http://www.invisiblemending.co.uk

All pictures are copyrighted to British Invisible Mending Service Ltd

A riot of colour

Published on August 9, 2013 by Alicja Jasnikowska1 Comment

Today’s blog is about my new favourite place. No, it’s not a boutique selling aggressively reduced Acne and Stella McCartney (although if anyone knows one of those please do let me know). It is a very unassuming fabric store right on my doorstep in South London. If you are coveting all the dramatic prints that have been filling stores this summer, but don’t want to find yourself along with several others in a matching dress, then this store may be just the ticket. Stocking a huge range of gorgeously patterned 100% cotton waxed fabrics, this is a treasure trove of bold daring prints. The pictures speak for themselves. Fabrics are sold in set lengths, but if you don’t want the whole 6 yards there is a selection of 2 yard off-cuts that sell for £5. Yes, that’s £5! This is like manna to a serious bargain hunter such as myself.

I have bought 3 different short lengths over the last few months and always pop by for a quick peek or to see if one of my favourite fabrics has made it to the off-cuts rail. With my first 2 yards I made unique cushion covers as presents for my friends’ weddings. This is enough fabric for two 20x20in cushions and then some. Both couples were supremely happy with their gifts (or so I am led to believe). Another length I am hoping to make into a summer dress or top, or even perhaps a pair of harem trousers if I’m feeling brave. The final length has yet to be assigned a plan.

A home-made cushion cover I gave as a wedding gift

The fabric is very durable and so perfect for both interiors and hard-wearing clothing. The tradition of using batiq to create these wax print designs goes back over 150 years. Produced originally by the Dutch and sold to West African traders, these fabrics soon became synonymous with African culture, and prints were given unique names by the traders based on characteristics in the design.

A selection of the amazing fabrics available at Sovereign Textiles in Tooting

If you don’t have a fashion degree, or aren’t adept with a sewing machine, then take the fabric to your local tailor and get yourself an original custom-made garment. I highly recommend Andy Piccos of Stitchin Biz (find his blog at http://andypiccos.com ) who I have worked with for years and is a wiz with a pair of scissors and a measuring tape. Otherwise try your local dry-cleaners, who often have competent and reasonably priced tailors on hand. Or be daring and turn your nimble fingers to a needle and thread. At only £5 you can afford to make a couple of mistakes and you never know… you may unleash the next Alexander McQueen.

Sovereign Textiles, 113 Mitcham Road, Tooting Broadway, London, SW17 9PE. T: 020 8682 1444. www.sovereigntextiles.co.uk
Opening hours 10-5:30pm but call in advance to check as they are quite flexible

For further information about the history of West African fabrics go to http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/design/2012/03/african_fabric_where_do_tribal_prints_really_come_from_.html