gems in the junkyard

Cock-knee’d, ill fitted suits on urchins - ‘A Child of the Jago’ struts chimney sweep chic to the 9’s. Crammed into Village Underground EC2, we took our seats (standing on back benches) to witness the swathes of derby hats, plaid clad glad rags, and troops of zoot suited youths in eye liner. A mix between Jack the Ripper and Dick Tracy, with flashes of Madonna decked in leather for bovine authenticity. Dame Vivienne Westwood stepped up to sweep a stray scarf from the sidelines, whilst Janet Jackson sat pretty, only to be ushered away by her man mountain of a guardian. The Autumn/Winter 2010 collection hits the spot with its unique brand of man about town, going down as smooth as a jellied eel…

LINK: East London’s new Sweeny Todd, a cut above the rest.

Tel Aviv is becoming famous as a trendsetter for clothing and accessories. Brimming with exclusive, independent designers and vintage shops which exhibit one off creations and cater for the original and varied styles of the eccentric Tel Avivian’s wardrobe. Shenkin, Tchenichovsky and King George streets have an abundance of boutiques both vintage and new. Diesengoff, Kikar Hamedina and the beautiful district, Neve Tsedek all are full of upmarket clothing and jewelry designers both Israeli and international, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Israeli designer, Dorin Frankfurt but to name a few. Fashion fairs and shows are often held all around the city in clubs and bars showcasing the newest designer talents and the Nachlat Binyamin street market and Bishbishim market in Jaffa are an abundance of treasures and one off finds…… Tel Aviv’s fashion like its people and nightlife is an eclectic, extrovert and fast paced experience and the only way to shop is to veer off the main streets and get completely lost in it.

One thing Shepherd’s Bush Market definately has is bags of character. Whether you’re buying cuts of meat from the Halal butcher or conversing with Sikhs about the price of silk, its the people who work here that make it such a unique experience. The facade is faded and chipped, weathered by years of good use. And that’s the way we like it. Its that dogtoothed charm, warts and all, that gets me everytime. The mandatory rum swigging dreadlock searching for iration dubs behind the shawarma stall. The groups of school girls giggling as they accessorize pink glittery moblie phones. Its old, its new, battered but alive. A survivor. An old time war hero spouting tall tales, exaggerating as he goes along. There are so many stalls you don’t know where to start. Kitch, tacky, knock-offs or bootlegs? Its cheap and cheerful. Bashful and trashy. Plus where else can you get your fruit and veg whilst picking out a new fedora?! Unlike its neighbour the Westfield shopping center (biggest in Europe), its not about cutting edge style, but don’t get me wrong, its got soul. And soul is what you want from an authentic market experience.