Rebecca Luke Style

One of the main reasons we headed to London was to check out our friend Lynval Golding in action…he just so happens to be one of the founding members in the style iconic band The Specials.

I first heard the group when I was a kid visiting my “cool” cousins in Canada. Right after I was alerted to the groove that was the B52s, the tape (yes tape) came out and it was The Specials…oh, I loved them. And, they looked so cool.

As a fashion girl, I can’t but still be in awe in this group of boys who knew that style is self-expression and with that added confidence, a look can be achieved. Never mind that “rude boys” everywhere followed suit quickly…it was look and a style in and of it self and we haven’t turned back.

I didn’t really get all the lyrics then, I just liked to dance and as I grew up and started to hang with the “scooter” crowd, I “skanked”…

Once I met Lynval and started hearing the stories behind the songs, I was blown away. Human rights, racial equality and the utopian vision of how things could and should be…brilliant.

The Specials have reunited after 30 years and their style has maintained. For this tour, the boys are sporting suits from Ace Face Clothing and pieces from famed British designer Ozwald Boateng.

There is even a Specials exclusive with Fred Perry with pieces that are hot, hot, hot in black and white inspired from the Specials “two-tone” groove. Amazing how something so simple can be so cool. Their shows all over UK were sold out this past spring. They are headed to Asia this summer and then back to Europe. We love you guys. Have fun. RL

Photo Credits:
Top: The Specials – Lynval by Rebecca Luke
Middle: The Specials
Bottom: Ozwald Boateng by Fergus Greer
You Tube Video: The Specials at Brixton Academy May 09 by Rebecca Luke

I am finally reporting in on my London finds…
Sadly as we go global, the shopping does too. It’s hard to find unique looks. Yes, I know I needed to go to Harrods and Top Shop, the Portobello market, etc. I just wanted to find something different. It was really tough for me to find the spirit of London style but I found it. In East London, an area called Spitalfields. Just one street over from Brick Lane, this area felt like Brooklyn to me. Spitalfields has a Sunday market as well. We just got the tail end, but it looked quite promising. We stumbled by a store and I slid in just before they were closing; Hurwundeki ~ they had an incredible second hand vibe along with new items and their own label. Their accessories & shoes were fab. Apparently they are a hair salon as well…didn’t get that when we walked in.

There is one chain store in London that I liked…we found their flagship store in Spitalfields. It had a Diesel groove going which the rock & roll side of me loves…All Saints. Right on in my book.

Speaking of Sundays, in the middle of busy Brick Lane, there is a little alcove of Indy designers and artists that we were so excited to find. Here are a few of the talented little luvvies I liked. Definitely worth braving through the crowd for this gem: Mr. Wingate – Great Graphic Tees, Karing Monie – Bags & Belts, Gutavo Ortiz - Artist

For an alternative to Bond Street and to shop more lcoal, check out area between the Kightsbridge & Sloane Square stations. With a mix of high-end stores such as Chanel and Prada, along side galleries and cute restaurants, this area is not crowed with tourists and very relaxing to shop in. The famed Joseph stores has two storefronts in this hood with one that carries every high-end designer that you have ever drooled over with the affordable pieces across the street. I found a ‘to die for’ Parisian jeweler named Laurence Coste, a London based shoes store called Gwendolyn Carrie…proper and cute, and an independent designer, Betty Jackson, who had a bit of a progressive edge. Needless to say, you could have a lovely day shopping in this neighborhood.

For me, vintage is the way to go when you are in Europe…it is hard for us West Coast Americans to find good antique and vintage clothing. I found a vintage market that is a great alternative to Portobello Market ~ The Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair. The bonus was that this market was in another hip area of London (east) called Clerkenwell (pronounced “Clarkenwell” apparently)…I didn’t buy much (one suitcase and everything) but I found a cool Gucci scarf from the 90’s that is a perfect memory of the experience. This market in the Clerkenwell Town Hall had lovely snacks or “tea” and swing dancers…fun. Plus, the hipster pub is right across the street.

There one UK designer that I am totally a fan of and that is Vivienne Westwood…while we didn’t make it to the flagship (44 Conduit Street), we did find a British Designer Sale that happens a few times a year. You can become a member and get in before the public, but when we showed up, the last half an hour of course, there was still a lot to choose from. The sale included men’s and women’s garments from Vivian Westwood, 120% Linen, Girbaud, and more. If you travel to London often or live there…may be worth becoming a member. The inquiry email is: bds@london83.freeeserve.co.uk

For inexpensive yet trendy options, these London chains are good check out:
Jigsaw, a British version of Anthropologie, (however, they do have a store in San Francisco) and Whistles with cute dresses this season.

Just a few new shopping ideas the next time you are in London Town. RL

Photo credits top to bottom:

All Saints Spring 09, Laurence Coste Jewelry display, RL shopping for vintage, Vivienne Westwood Spring 09