10 Useful Things: Recommendations to Start Your Month

A new artist lunch spot, objects made to last, our decreasing ability to focus, shifting female ambition, and what Miuccia wore.

Restorative Reading
We downloaded the audio version, because really – who can get through an entire book nowadays? Stolen Focus is an exploration into our crumbling ability to focus and the critical consequences it’s having on how we live. Technology has exceeded our capacity to absorb it, and as a result we are exhausted and our attention resources are shrinking. Author Johann Hari guides us through it all, and presents solutions for recalibrating and reconnecting with your state of flow.

Artful Eating
Juliet’s Café is the latest addition to Studio Voltaire’s not-for-profit gallery, shop and artist space in Clapham. The menu incorporates ingredients from the artists’ gardens and looks onto a spectacular courtyard by artist and resident Anthea Hamilton. Visit to catch the last few weeks of Supergroup – a playful exhibit by illustrator John Booth and ceramic artist Ian McIntyre.

Fall Footwear
We are devoted fans of Nike Rifts, a hybrid shoe named after Kenya’s Great Rift Valley that celebrates the act of letting yourself run free. Our vintage pairs can now recover with the latest women’s re-release. Born in 1996, the Nike Rift hybrid design with split toe was created with input from barefoot long-distance runners in Kenya, as an exploration into natural motion footwear. The look became an integral part of Japanese street style in the late 90s often documented in FRUiTS magazine.

Postmodern Coffee
Alessi have been decorating discerning kitchen surfaces since the 1920s. Their aluminium Pulcina espresso coffee maker took Italian architect Michele De Lucchi – founding member of the Memphis group – fifteen years to develop with Italian coffee company Illy! The Pulcina is designed to stop filtering the coffee just at the right time, minimising the spitting volcano effect and ensuring your coffee is without a bitter aftertaste. The spout, which recalls a chick’s beak (pulcina = chick) allows it to pour without a drip.

Great Gifts
Permanent Collection is an exquisite store selling small runs of products using the highest quality materials and unique processes. The real super power is an ability to create understated, useful pieces that will forever maintain their joyful allure. The walnut wood utensil holder, transforms a utilitarian item from afterthought into a purposeful object of beauty.

Autumn Outfitting
It felt fun to revisit the runway this season for some outfitting inspiration. We adored The Row’s ton sur ton approach, enveloping slouchy but perfectly proportioned pieces draped with a modern shawl. Dries Van Noten‘s latest show was full of optimism, we took notes on scholarly shirting tucked effortlessly into decorative ruffled skirts.

The Story of a Stool
Martino Gamper’s Arnold Circus Stool began life as necessary furniture to repopulate a disused park in East London, a decade later it can be found in homes and art galleries across the world. This new book, documents a personal account of the meaning and evolution of this now iconic piece of design.

Complex Complexion
Westman Atelier are dedicated to makeup that works with your skin, not over it. These Vital Skincare Complexion Drops aren’t cheap but they are exceptional, achieving both coverage and better skin quality. They hydrate, even, soothe and visibly reduce pores. Each week we are seeing improved results!

A Lifetime of Utility
Swedish brand Korbo have been hand making baskets since 1922 when fisherman and farmers needed reliable storage that could withstand wear and tear. One hundred years later, Korbo’s unique design is crafted in exactly the same way, using one wire and no welding – making them incredibly durable and built to last. The basket liners transform them into pleasing laundry vessels, and the wall hangers create infinite possibilities for home usage.

What Miuccia Wore
We have been enjoying this particular Instagram study into the rarified moments Miuccia Prada‘s personal style has been documented. In fact, it has inspired our own extra curricular investigation into skirts, where we uncovered this supremely cool raw denim a-line construction from Studio Nicholson.