Wee Birdy

Shopping in London: V&A shop

Over the past couple of years I’ve posted quite a lot about my favourite bits and pieces from various London museums and galleries, but I’ve never delved into any great detail about the actual shops themselves. So naturally, that’s about to change…

It’s a given that any gallery-goer’s journey will end in the designated shop space – in fact their presence (and the promise of a toy dinosaur) has been used as the proverbial dangling carrot to get many a child through the tedium of an exhibition itself. But some of the world’s greatest and most-loved museums and galleries (New York’s MoMA, London’s Tate Modern, Design Museum and the V&A) have evolved in such a way that their shops are a retail (and tourist) destination in their own right.

I must confess that I’ve been guilty, on more than one occasion, of making a specific gift-buying dash to the V&A shop, without so much as a peep in at any of the permanent collection galleries (I know, shameful behaviour!). But that’s because the V&A, in particular, offers up an expertly-edited line-up of gifts, accessories, books and children’s toys – all perfect candidates for being packaged up and sent away to friends and family far away.

There's also a dedicated bookshop, with subjects spanning the worlds of design, art, fashion, textiles, jewellery, photography and architecture. And they always have an extensive range of the most gorgeous cards:

The website is also an excellent source for all manner of design-led products and accessories, and autumn/winter’s new collection has just arrived online. I’m loving the cherry brooch by Francoise Montague, squirrel ring box by Jonathan Adler, and chirpy cicada brooch.

There's also a really lovely selection of luxe hairbands and headpieces, like this little pleated beauty ...

The shop is also particularly good when it comes to accessing a clever range of kids’ toys, games and activities, starting at pocket-money prices. I’m particularly fond of the vintage-style wind-up tin toys, like this circus elephant, and these Clifford Richards cat and fairy notebooks.

The V&A also have a brilliant prints service, where you can order any print from their vast collection in the size, format and paper of your choice.

Also keep an eye out for pieces from the Cherry on a Cake collection, a brilliant line of limited edition designer collaborations, making them perfect (read: non-crap) souvenirs for tourists and London newcomers alike. Inspired by the museum’s extensive collections, you can take your pick from a stunning Grayson Perry doll (at a super-cool £4000, wow) or a Concise Book of Patterns necklace by Comfort Station. Art and history has never been so wearable.

The V&A Shop
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7 2RL
Tel. 020 7942 2687
Nearest tube: South Kensington
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 10am-5.30pm
Late night every Friday until 9.45pm

Pretty in Print, Part 2

One of the most exciting things to emerge from the Liberty Prints Charming exhibition is the new artist fabric collection, which features exclusive designs by British artists Grayson Perry, Paul Morrison, Mike McInnerney, Michael Angove, Anj Smith and Simon Hart. I’m particularly taken by Grayson Perry’s ‘Cranford’ and ‘Phillipa’ prints, as well as Simon Hart’s ‘Cool Coast’ print, which features a charming Cornish fishing village as its theme.

Liberty has also released an extensive range of print-covered goodies, from London A-Z books to luggage tags, made-to-order wellies and playing cards. (You can check out the full range available online here.) There were also racks of clothes by A.P.C. for Liberty (look out for the adorable car-print shorts) and Cacharel (the bikinis are super-cute), as well as one-off handcrafted Amanda Fatherazi boudoir dolls, which were dressed beautifully in Tana Lawn fabric. But her quirky fabric lady’s face brooches (£30) also proved particularly irresistible, as you can see here:

I've also got my eye on this rather surreal Grayson Perry silk scarf:

I’m particularly nostalgic for the micro-floral ‘Pepper’ Liberty print, which I remember adoring when I was younger. Here it is on a luggage tag, below:

In fact, I remember having a few scraps of the fabric (which was rather like gold in the suburban Australian town I grew up in) and using it to customise some rather eye-catching ‘laces’ for my Doc Martens. (This didn’t go down particularly well with the surfie/stoner crowd, natch.) But these days I really love the striking Art Déco ‘Caesar’ peacock print, which is featured on this journal:

 Tell me …. Are you nostalgic about any particular Liberty print?

What to take home: Thames pin

This wee wriggly worm is actually a limited edition, gold-plated pin, shaped like the river Thames. Designed by Kit Grover exclusively for the London Design Museum shop, it is also reflective of the folkloric bent pin, which has been used as votive offering in many cultures. Thousands of bent pins have been found on the Thames foreshore and down hundreds of London's holy wells, which were thrown into the water to grant wishes or to allow a safe crossing. Great value for a unique London souvenir.

Thames pin, £5, limited edition of 100 by Kit Grover for the London Design Museum shop.

Shopping in London: Suck and Chew

I’m a real sucker for nostalgic sweet shops, and Suck and Chew on Columbia Road is no exception. Look out for the pillar-box red shopfront if you’re visiting on flower market Sundays and you’ll be treated to old-retro favourites like Rhubarb and Custards, Cola Cubes and Rosy Apples. 

There’s also a delectable selection of handmade organic chocolate truffles from Norfolk (I love the champagne and strawberry) as well as some unique retro-inspired gifts, like Beano and Dandy tea-towels (£7.99) and blackboard mugs (£4.50).

Keep an eye out for the vintage cards, Ladybird books and chocolate tins (from £5), as well as the adorable Topsy and Tim badges (£1.50). Fans of the area should also seek out the ‘I heart Columbia Road’ badges (75p).

Suck and Chew
130 Columbia Road
London E2 7RG
Tel. 020 8983 3504
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Saturday 1pm to 4.30pm
Sunday 9am to 4.30pm

Click here for more shops on Columbia Road.

Wee find: Half-pint tees for Father's Day

I spotted these pint and half-pint tees for adults and kids in Fabrications recently, and thought they were would make fun gifts for Father's Day. I'm usually wary of matching slogan tees for parent and child, but these are actually quite clever and rather adorable, and are available in a range of colours. They're made by quirky London-based company Twisted Twee, and you can buy direct from them online. Otherwise pop into Fabrications on Broadway Market on Saturday, and you'll have Father's Day sorted for Sunday.

Fabrications
7 Broadway Market
London E8 FPH
Tel. 0207 275 8043
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 12noon-5pm
Or call for appointment.
Nearest tube: Bethnal Green Station
Nearest train: London Fields BR