Analogue Books

 Analogue Books is an independent bookshop specialising in independently published books and magazines. Owned by Julie Nicoll and Russell Ferguson, Analogue Books was first established in Edinburgh in 2001, and recently relocated to their charming new premises in the city on Candlemaker Row.

 The focus of Analogue Books is art and design related publications, covering a whole throng of sub-topics including architecture, graphic design, illustration and fashion. The predominant focus of the store is book publications, but the shop also houses an impressive array of indie magazines and zines (many of which are published in-house), along with short run graphic prints and the odd record. They also include staple titles from the likes of Lawrence King publications et al., but Nicoll and Ferguson centre much of their time and energy into sourcing books from the more obscure independent publishers such as Nobrow and Seems, as well as acquiring books from artists directly. There is also a real local tilt to Analogue Books. While some work is sourced from overseas, most items sold within their walls are UK based, and indie, are predominately focused on local Scottish talent, such as the work by the utterly captivating The Lindstrom Effect.

 As well as their retail arm, Analogue Books also plays host to a variety of events and exhibitions. Graffiti artists, screen-printers and illustrators have exhibited in the teeny galley out back in exciting and curious ways, and have even added their works to the interior design of the store. Artist exhibitions have included the marvellous Tom Gauld, who creates now weekly cartoons for The Guardian, and local artist Matt Swan, who recently added some original artwork to the store’s doorway.

 Analogue Books is a real treasure trove of independent art books, and has added hugely to the creative scene in Edinburgh over is 10+ years. Its collection of odd, beautiful, thought-provoking and subtle publications allow one to discover some of the latest movers and shakers in the art and design world, especially at a local level. They also have an efficient online store for those of you who cannot make it up to Edinburgh anytime soon.

http://www.analoguebooks.co.uk/

Clara Francis

Jewellery designer Clara Francis creates beautiful, intricate and delicate necklaces, bracelets and earrings from thousands of tiny glass beads. These opulent and luxurious yet subtle creations take distinct inspiration from the British countryside – of 1930s’ studies of flora and fauna, of old watercolours and line drawing studies. There is a certain eclectic vintage charm in each Clara Francis piece – a bit Dr. Parnassus, a bit Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, vague gothic and faintly magical. Think foxgloves, sleeping beauties, hummingbirds, hot air balloons, dark woodlands, ornate gilded frames and wax seals.

After working as an actress for a number of years, Francis picked up jewellery making – initially just designing for friends and family, and then moving on to having her own stall at Spitalfields fashion market. She is entirely self-taught, and initially all her jewellery was crafted by Francis herself. She now heads up a team of five highly skilled assistants, developing all the designs herself. 

From such humble beginnings on a market stall, Clara Francis’ jewellery has now skyrocketed to dizzying heights. Harvey Nichols snapped up her first official collection, and her pieces have also been exhibited at London Fashion Week. Even more excitingly, Francis was recently invited by the Victoria and Albert Museum to design a piece for their exhibition “Cherry on the Cake”, along with many other prestigious designers including the talented and eccentric Grayson Perry. This had led to sterling coverage in the likes of Vogue, Marie Clare, Grazia, Cosmopolitan and Elle, as well as a celebrity fan base including the very hip Alexa Chung.

Clare Francis pieces range from £60 - £250. Each item is handmade in London, and takes anywhere between 3 and 22 hours to make, so you really are investing in a skilled crafts-person’s time. Each item is a piece art and fashion that will never date or age, making for an ideal present for a birthday or anniversary, or as a personal reward for a promotion perhaps.

http://www.clarafrancis.co.uk/openingpage.html

Beyond the Valley

 Beyond the Valley is an incredibly artistic, high-end boutique and gallery space just off Carnaby Street in the heart of Soho. Heralded as “the space for new designers”, this concept store pushes the boundaries and conventions of art and clothing. In store and online the company offers clothing, jewellery, furniture, fine art and graphic design for sale, but there is also an in store galley space for new and emerging artists.

Beyond the Valley has become renowned for sourcing fresh, new artistic talent and innovative diverse pieces. The boutique was set up by Jo Jackson, Kate Harwood, Kristjana S. Williams, three ex Central St. Martin’s students who set up the store in 2005 after becoming disillusioned and unable to secure permanent, professional design work. The studio/boutique developed as a showcase for emerging artists and designers, and since its inception, the girls, through Beyond the Valley have curated a number of exhibitions, set up guerrilla stores, and at one point created an exclusive collection for Topshop. The brand has since become a favourite of the likes of Roisin Murphy and Lily Cole.

As well as stocking high-end fashion brands such as Anglomania for Vivienne Westwood, Melissa and Fabrica, Beyond the Valley also have an eponymous label. Their own label this season falls into a pre-Raphaelite/neo-classical style, with plenty of rich, deep colours, deep patterns, golds, blacks and embellishments. In general though, Beyond the Valley has a specific aesthetic, filled with whimsical, artistic photo-prints, plenty of chiffon and silk, with a generally grandiose, innovative and unique approach.

Beyond the Valley offer luxurious pieces, which for the most part are not cheap, although you can get some fantastic bargains in the sale. Their pieces are ideal for special occasions, key pieces and treats. I personally bought a dressing gown from them recently in the summer sale for £100, reduced from £250. A large expense, perhaps, but the dressing gown is 100% silk – proper silk too, not synthetic, and it is something I will wear most days for 10 years plus. Most importantly though, it has a beautiful 3D photo print of a forest, and even comes equipped with 3D glasses. If art and aesthetics are important to you, Beyond the Valley offers a wonderful box of treats.

http://www.beyondthevalleystore.com/

Tatty Devine

Tatty Devine make bold, artistic jewellery with lashing of wit and whimsy. Their signature items are typically made out of brightly coloured acrylic plastic, but many of collections also feature pieces made out of textile, wood, leather, metals and veneers. All Tatty Devine jewellery is handmade in the UK, and their full collection is available online, as well as at their two shops in Covent Garden and Brick Lane. They make a whole host of broaches, earrings, necklaces, rings, belts and hair accessories.

Rosie Wolfenden and Harriet Vine created Tatty Devine in 1999, and since then their brand has developed a huge cult following in both the art and fashion worlds. As well as having collections developed specifically for the Tate Modern and the V&A museum, the company has featured in Vogue, and TD also get involved in London Fashion Week every year. The girls also develop special projects with artists and bands, from Camera Obscura and Belle & Sebastian to Antony Gormley (the artist behind The Angel of the North).

Tatty Devine release two seasonal collections a year, and their Autumn/Winter range has just been released. Entitled “Come Foraging”, this season is very nature based, and is full of acorns, berries, leaves, foxes and owls, with reds, ambers, mustards, golds and deep ivy greens as the colour palette. TD also have a permanent collection available, which features more general themes such as bows, anchors, plectrums, dinosaurs and various birds such a magpies and swallows. The brand are also famous for their “Name Necklaces” – bespoke items which can be tailored exactly for the name or words you want, with five different font choices, 28 different colours, four attachable charms, and chains available in gold, black or silver. The name necklaces have become very popular with celebrities, with Jamilia, Girls Aloud and Kelly Osborne all seen sporting their own in the past.

Tatty Devine’s jewellery offers a beautiful slice of art and luxury, with special and everyday piece so cool they will always stay in fashion. As well as jewellery, the company also offer clothing from time to time, and often have crafts from other independents, including cards, magazines and badges. Tatty Devine also have the release of their first book coming up, which focuses on how to make your own jewellery. The book is due for release on 6^th October 2011, and will certainly be going on my wish list, along with a whole host of their new season’s collection.

http://www.tattydevine.com/

Oh Comely

Oh Comely is a fantastic independent magazine that has been in circulation for just over a year. The vibe of the magazine is one of subtly, creativity, beauty, curiosity and intrigue, and the whole magazine is executed with these ideas in mind. Every two months the Oh Comely team release a new issue filled with hip, quirky, and visually divine content that entertains, encourages and informs in a wonderfully friendly and positive manner.

Recent issues have included instructions on how to make your own shoes from scratch, recipes for homemade marshmallows and Turkish delight and instructions on how you make you own pinhole camera (which I recently completed, though we’ll have to see how the pictures turn out still!). They feature lots of work by illustrators and photographers, interviews with musicians such as Emmy The Great, Frank Turner and Beach House, fashion pages full of independent designers and kooky high street finds, and insightful, though-provoking articles and essays.

 

It is fair to say that the magazine is predominantly aimed a women and creative activities that women will enjoy. And I must say, I really is nice to see a magazine predominantly for women that encourages creativity, artistry and beauty rather than gossip, or quasi self-fulfilment through clothes and anti-aging creams. Don’t get me wrong – I love Vogue, but you know what they say about variety. And whilst Oh Comely is essentially aimed at women a fair amount of the time, there are plenty of items in every issue for men to enjoy too, providing the man in question has an interest in exploits such as indie music, photography, and interviews with interesting people. The craft section even had an item recently on making your own boat – what’s not to love?!

Oh Comely is released bi-monthly and cost £4.00 per issue. It is available online through their website, and is also available at most WHSmith stores and select boutique stores and newsagents. You can also get a yearly subscription, which gives you six issues for £20. I would highly recommended getting a subscription once you have check out the magazine for yourself – having Oh Comely drop through my door every other month is like having a mini treasure chest of creativity and ideas to enjoy and explore, and I really look forward to its arrival.

  

http://www.ohcomely.co.uk/