Monday December 10th 2012
In the run-up to Christmas thoughts at Albam Towers turn to two things: Getting gifts for everyone and negotiating the inevitable party-gauntlet that rolls round this time of year. But actually, both can be addressed with a really good tie. Seriously! Our current favourites hail from our pals across the pond at General Knot & Co – who wouldn’t appreciate …
Posted by Alex at 9:10am
Tuesday November 20th 2012
Across the street from our Spitalfields store is Upstairs at The Ten, a former pop-up restaurant started by The Young Turks chef collective, to huge acclaim. Emerging from that collaboration is a new venture, St. Vibes, and we caught up to chat with co-founder, Johnny Smith – a loyal patron of our own delectable fare.
What is St. Vibes …
Posted by Alex at 10:24am
Monday November 12th 2012
From their “well designed equipment can improve your life” ethos, to their Peak District factory, David Mellor Design is a constant source of inspiration to us at Albam. Oh, and they make fantastic cutlery too!
Who started the company?
The company was started by my father, David Mellor [master steel-worker and Royal Designer for Industry], in the 1950s.
When …
Posted by Alex at 10:45am
Monday November 5th 2012
As we get another month closer to winter proper, we grabbed a quick word with Jamie Milsestone, founder/designer of our favourite purveyors of modern, British, umbrellas. After all, it’s always good to keep the elements off.
-What is London Undercover?
London Undercover is a contemporary, British umbrella brand specialising in classic, traditional, hand-crafted pieces with a modern twist.
-Who is …
Posted by Alex at 9:29am
Monday October 29th 2012
If you like photography you’ve most likely heard of (or at least looked at) the work of Andreas Gursky; a large-format photographer, he captures seemingly mundane man-made landscapes – such as the inside of vast supermarkets – architecture and crowds. His images are full of colour, movement and humanity, in all its forms.
But this is not about Gursky. This …
Posted by Alex at 11:13am
Tuesday October 23rd 2012
Upon returning from a recent trip abroad I read of the death of Eric Lomax and, consequently, learned of his incredible story.
Captured by the Japanese in WWII, Edinburgh-born Lomax was put to work building the Burma-Siam railway in Thailand (made infamous in the film, Bridge Over The River Kwai) and was severely tortured during his incarceration.
Lomax survived …
Posted by Alex at 12:08pm
Tuesday October 9th 2012
Romanian born Brancusi was a hugely influential figure in the world of sculpture, but before we even get into that we have to admit that Constantin is one of the major inspirations behind our brand new Funnel Neck Sweater (and, frankly, our Vintage Chino too).
Brancusi had such an effortless look, one that seems to exude an easy confidence – …
Posted by Alex at 8:32am
Tuesday October 2nd 2012
Albam is all about a lifestyle ethos and this is facilitated by wholesome, comforting, ceramics from our friends at Muchelney. So who better to chat with than company founder and master potter, John Leach
When did Muchelney Pottery begin?
I am a third generation potter, son of David and Grandson of Bernard Leach [the Father of British studio pottery] …
Posted by Alex at 4:31pm
Monday October 1st 2012
Having had something of an unintentionally existentialist weekend (does that ever happen to anyone else?) I found myself re-reading an old favourite, The Outsider, by Albert Camus, in order to help me out of my torpor.
The book, as ever, is fantastic – all sparse text and profound normality of the everyman. But Camus himself is inspiring. Born into …
Posted by Alex at 10:37am
Tuesday September 18th 2012
Yes indeed! We’re very excited to announce that we’ll be holding another of our sample sales next week.
Thursday 27 September is the date to red pen so plan it into your week, take a half day or, frankly, throw a sickie – you do not want to miss this. The action will commence at 11am at our Commercial Street …
Posted by Alex at 5:01pm
