Shoreditch’s Redchurch Street is known for it’s creative spirit and undeniable sense of style. The latest addition to the now infamous strip of road is The Basics Store, a concept curated by London based designer Marina Guergova.

Set out to provide life’s everyday essentials, the month long pop-up houses Guergova’s own silkwear brand, Marina London, along with independent labels. Expect luxe knitwear from Blake LDN, contemporary footwear from Dear Frances, leather bags and accessories from Danielle Foster, jewellery from Clarice Price Thomas and Jessie Harris, as well as a selection of unique fragrances from the Intertrade Group.

As well as this, the store will also play host to a series of summer events and talks from the likes of The Pressery and Qnola, and you’ll also find music during their Acoustic Bench Sessions, when musicians will busk on the beach out front.

The current timetable looks as follows…

Saturday, 20th June – Qnola (healthy popped quinoa granola) talk & event – 10.45am
Thursday, 2nd July – Poke (Hawaiian raw health bowls) evening food event – 5pm-8.30pm
Saturday, 4th July – The Pressery (almond milks) talk & event – 10.30am
Friday, 10th July – SPOON (natural granola) talk & event – 10.30am
Saturday, 11th July – The Hardihood (raw, superfood confectionery) talk & event – 10.45am

The Basic Store is open daily until July 13th at 30a Redchurch Street, London, E1 6JL. 

thebasicsstore.com

Tags: Blake LDN, Clarice Price Thomas, Danielle Foster, Dear Frances, Intertrade Group, Jessie Harris, Marina London, Redchurch St

Although the polo neck can be a handy go-to sweater during the cold winter months, this autumn/winter season it’s having a rebirth of sorts. From its beatnikpast, to its chic present the polo neck has found glory again after many years of being left on the un-cool shelf. Keep it minimal or go bold, Twin picks four styles for every occasion.

Cashair Rib Roll Neck Sweater, £255.00, joseph-fashion.com & Missoni Woven Knitted Roll Neck, £800, brownsfashion.com

Blake LDN Redfern Medium Sweater in Cobalt Blue, £292, blake-ldn.com & Cooperative Rib Roll Neck, £20, urbanoutfitters.co.uk

Tags: Blake LDN, Cooperative, Joseph, Missoni, Polo Neck, Twin Picks

Meet Alice Ashby, the designer behind BLAKE LDN. With an impressive resume and thorough understanding of the British craft, Alice founded the luxurious knitwear brand just last year and this week annouced that the designs will be stocked in the French concept store Colette. This is one brand to keep on your radar.

Twin caught up with the designer to find out more…

Having worked as Assistant Knitwear Designer for Rag & Bone, co-founded The North Circular and now BLAKE LDN, when did your love for knitwear begin?

I was taught to knit by my Grandmother one Christmas when I was around 10 years old, so that was when I held my first knitting needles. I was always doing something creative, be it sewing, stitching, anything to do with texture when I was growing up. Then it was not until I was at Central St Martins when I specialised in knitwear that I realised this was what I wanted to do and there was actually a career in it.

How would you describe the BLAKE LDN aesthetic?

It is British luxury design, it is wearable and all about texture, be it the yarn, stitch or pattern. The Blake girl is very effortless in her style and can team a piece with jeans or dress it up.

When it comes to knitwear, quality is key. How do you go about choosing the Merino wool, Angora and Loro Piana cashmere for your collections?

I travel to Pitti Filati in Florence twice a year. It is the tradeshow for yarn suppliers. It is great, as I can catch up with our current suppliers and see their new yarns, textures and colours as well as sourcing new suppliers and fibres from around the world. I use a lot of British lambswool and cashmere as well as Italian yarns for angoras and more fancy yarns like boucle and textured yarn.

What inspired the AW13 collection?

AW13 was inspired by vintage ski images, adapting and creating a modern day take on this traditional chunky knit. Looking closely at the yoke, panelling and racing stripes we modernised this by adding angora and clashing hues of cashmere.

What knitwear staples do you constantly return to?

Our Adelaide is one of our signature pieces, we adapt it each season to cotton for SS and cashmere or wool for AW. It is the perfect slouchy sweater and so comfortable. Other than that, you have got to have a great cashmere sweater – when you find the right one it should last forever. Our Aubrey double ply Loro Piana hits the spot. For beanies – it has to be our cashmere Nova beanies. Perfect simple cashmere beanies, the bonus is that they are unisex too.

Twin loves the Redfern Chunky Sweater and Foskett Beanie from the AW13 collection. Which pieces are your favourite?

The Aubrey is one my favourites, I love the colourway of neon, gold, charcoal framed by rich navy. The Foskett sweater is another favourite, an oversized sky blue angora sweater. Then finally it’s the chunky Redfern in cobalt. I love bright blue and in a chunky knit its just perfect.

You are now stocked at Colette. Where else would you like to see the brand sold?

I would love Opening Ceremony, Matches and obviously Net-a-Porter, to name a few. All stores we are working towards… so watch this space.

www.blake-ldn.com

Tags: Blake LDN, Knitwear