On the East End of London, somewhere along Chance Street, Shoreditch this weekend launches a boutique which caters to the likes of a fashion lovers minimalist and maximalist tastes all in one store. Its name: Gentlewench, owned by Chinese personal stylist Wei Yue, is a collaborative effort which includes his expertise of international retail shopping and buying director Tijana Djordjevic’s mass experience in the fashion industry.  “It was important to find a memorable name, the meeting of a gentle educated and refined lady with the saucy, outgoing personality of the wench encapsulates the dual character of the store,” says Djordjevic. The boutique will carry a wealthly catalogue of global designers and under the radar designers which will include the likes of French label Lemaire, hybrid Japanese label Facetasm, Georgian designer Lado Bokuchava, and specialist brand founded by a former Comme des Garçons pattern cutter Hed Mayner and Overcoat. “ Our vision is to combine gentle subtle design alongside exuberant fashion and explore the affinities between the two,” says Djordevic. The store interior, created by Fred Rigby and Dunstan James of Projects & Design, offers an intimate luxurious experience while underscoring the industrial heritage of the area. A section of the space will also house a selection of home ware items including wooden kitchenware by Grain & Wood and ceramics by a Jude Jelfs. The store’s aim is to create an artistic space with hints of surprise in its design where consumer can explore, talk and relax. Doors open to the public this Sunday, be sure to stop by and have a look yourself.

Tags: Design, East London, Fashion, luxury, Retail

For fall, Issue 17 took a closer look at the expectations and realities of self-reflection. We met the young, African artist Kudzanai-Violet Hwami on the eve of her inaugural solo show, and discussed shedding the weight of self-doubt in order to soar. Elsewhere, sisters Nancy and Lotte Andersen discussed their shared childhood and creative pursuits, while actress Joanne Froggatt questioned the limitations facing woman who dare to age on screen. Patrick Demarchelier took us behind the scenes at the Musée du Louvre exclusively for Louis Vuitton, before we embarked on a Californian road trip with Chanel. Meanwhile, as Browns East — the latest bricks and mortar retail innovation to hit London — opened, we discussed the vital fostering of raw talent with Browns CEO Holli Rogers and Farfetch’s Chief Consultant of Augmented Retail Susanne Tide-Frater. Speaking of raw talent, musician Cosima revealed her most uncomfortable self under the lens of Francesca Allen, while model and artist Larissa Hofmann turned the camera on herself for a self portrait redux. Here’s looking at you, kid.

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Tags: book, Browns, Browns East, Cosima, Farfetch, Fashion, Francesca Allen, Holli Rogers, Joanne Froggatt, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami, Larissa Hofmann, Lotte Anderson, Louis Vuitton, Louvre, Magazine, Nancy Anderson, Patrick Demarchelier, photography, Retail, Susanne Tide-Frater