it must be part of my summer holiday fall-out or the anticipation of next season’s shopping that’s got me going on about department stores. don’t get me wrong, i love snooping around small streets and little bespoke boutiques but for that hit of the season, i like to browse the top of the crop first. face it, being confronted with last season’s sensation turned stale just makes you want to run out and redeem yourself at the nearest outlet. and what better place than harrods? back in my homeworld, i never had the chance to make such a trip a reality, but now that i can just hop across the channel, harrods has become a very real part of my life.
sure, the models of department stores and the designer labels they carry have emptied pockets, ruined relationships and resulted in financial breakdowns throughout history. but it’s the attraction of unattainability that lures all and sundry back again to have a sense of escape from the mundane and a feeling of belonging to some special society. retail empires have capitalised on this very real and loyal following exemplified by the pilgrimages made by devotees flocking to the smallest country in the world - harrods.
the question of whether such an old style model can survive the online battles and accessibility of modern retail strategies has just been answered with the opening their super-shoe-heaven, launching an exclusive range of iconic ‘silver lining’ designer shoes by the who’s who of the shoe. the setting of 42000 sqft of shoe-ness, with 50 leading brands over 17 boutiques in an club-privé atmosphere created by david collins studio. they succeeded in creating a superlative-glossy-elitism which reminds strongly of derbyshire’s 16th century statement of wealth and luxury : hardwick hall, more glass than wall.
the david collins treatment perfectly balances the show- or in this case shoe-casing of merchandise in a signature style which i refer to as post-war-plush and with harrods’ latest collection on display it’s not such a stretch to imagine oneself being inside a giant jewellery box…
LB Louis Boshoff
Heavenly Harrods
Stupidity & Sensitivity
Since it’s nearly impossible to gauge each individual’s level of sensitivity or stupidity, I’d rather play it safe and classify this site as suitable for adults only. Although that term is still nebulous to me, the responsibility remains that of the viewer.
Curating & Criticism
The identification and definition of creativity are two different things. Challenging conventional interpretations and perspectives expands its validity and effect. I am convinced that collaborations and participation across creative industries allow for discovering a greater realisation of our potential.
Art & Collecting
I love mixing styles and textures, media and materials. But I believe in respecting personality when it comes to choosing work. There is of course the investment angle which is too boring to discuss here….or anywhere really. It is important to remember that when you live with art, it should be alive to you. That is to say it needs to move you. You need to have an affair with it.
Fashion & Architecture
Starting with the roof over your head and the clothes on your back. These are the things we inhabit. Without entering into the fashion vs trend debate. They also shape our sensibilities and the way we present ourselves.
Design & Function
Whether colour or form is your thing. Pattern or plain. What we choose to live with can make our lives easier or more challenging. Consider your commitment and convince yourself.
Gardens & Flowers
Since Eden it has been a fascination, inspiration, an indulgence of kings and common gardeners, a joy. No home is complete without it. Whether you go for potted, landscaped or organic, dry or shade, just go for it.
Treasures & Trash
Most of which are filed under S for sentimental. I respect that.
Heirlooms. Bargains. Souvenirs. Gifts. Curiosities. Found Objects. Impulse Buys.
Never hide what’s important or meaningful. Denial is a very ugly word.
History & Reality
Get to know yourself and others. As much as we live in the same world, everyone has their own version of it. Live up to yours, never fear your dreams and ideals lest they remain aspirations forever.