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Festive Shopping
By Anne Beech and Helen Griffiths
Why bother with a bendy bus that can’t get past the end of Church Street? Why not enjoy congestion without the congestion charge? N16 is as packed with goodies as ever when it comes to holiday gifts.
Kitting out the rug rats? Frere Jacques, at 121 Church Street, is a new enfant sur le bloc, joining several other specialist children’s shops in the banlieu – but with a touch of gallic. About 50% of the stock is sourced from France, where they do this sort of thing with a certain je ne sais quoi [that’s enough O-level French: Ed.], catering for kids from zero to 12. FJ are now offering children’s hairdressing from Thursday to Sunday each week – so you’ve got time to knock the little buggers into shape before the holidays. Remember: grannies like neat.
Olive Loves Alfie (84 Church Street) prides itself on stocking lines not available elsewhere. Particular ranges to look out for include kimonos and matching shoes at £22 and £11 respectively and hand-printed T-shirts for 3months-12 years at £22. The original duffel coats are not a snip at £75 but look great and are cheaper than lots of equivalents. For the fashionable parent and child there are also some babygros from Amsterdam that come packaged in record sleeves for £15. If you’re veering away from clothes, then Conrad Keller wooden toys – based on original 1970s designs – start at £10 up to £30, along with other books and games.
Casino (136 Church Street), a long-standing favourite of the N16 shopping pages, is also offering gems for babies this year with a new line in babygros and Ts bearing slogans such as Mama Ain’t Raising No Fool and what Would Joe Strummer Do? (£17) for the trendy offspring of the area. There is also a range of alternative lullaby CDs for £10; rock, hip hop or country baby anyone? For grown-ups, Casino has some goofy gift items such as limited edition dice clocks (£25 small, £35 large), dice jewellery (£10-18) and some punky, glitter, skull-shaped brooches. Wide 1980s belts with jewelled and butterfly clasps (£12), scarves (£5) and handbags (various) all represent presents with no risk factor as they can’t not fit. If you’re feeling braver and want to go for apparel then for boys there are some retro t-shirts and hoodies (beware the Cameron hug…), an abundance of second-hand jeans and some jackets. Great 1960s smocks and cocktail dresses for the girls.
Red (129a Church Street) has recently changed hands and is being renovated in time for the Christmas rush with new ranges and changing rooms – and they’re even doing late night openings till 10pm to drag you all in. Traffic People remains a staple label with some great metallic lurex party clothes. Charles of London punk rock T-shirts are priced at £36 and are a good buy as they are stocked in few places in town. New labels include Orion, Lillies of the Valley and Amplified. There are some 1950s retro checked zip-up jackets – particularly coveted in my household – for £69 and the owners’ own Lollipop line of slogan Ts – Drop Beats Not Bombs and Frankie Says Relax –is doing a roaring trade (www.redn16.com).
Ribbons and Taylor (157 Church Street) need no introduction and as ever have the best range of vintage dresses in the area. From little black cocktail numbers to all-out-glam evening dresses, this is still the place to buy your New Year’s Eve outfit. The distinctive jewellery range and array of second-hand clutch bags means you can also accessorise in here and the (fake) fur coats could ward off some winter chills. Boys, make like celeb de jour Russell Brand and buy a skinny tie and scarf to complete your Christmas outfit (www.ribbonsandtaylor.co.uk).
Recently celebrating its first birthday, Rouge (158 High Street) is a great place for Christmas gifts. The range is extensive and cleverly includes larger items alongside smaller stocking fillers. Chinese printed purses (£5), lipstick cases (£3.90), hairsticks (£1) and cigarette boxes (£6.80) are all good presents. Moving up the price scale a little, there are some lovely silk beaded clutch bags for £12.50 and silk and cotton and canvas bags ranging from a few pounds to £20. Jewel coloured silk scarves (£25) are a perfect present to lend some festive glamour to an outfit, whilst slightly more muted coloured viscose alternatives are available for £22. There is a huge array of distinctive china porcelain and glassware with vases and decorative plates starting at around £10, rising to around £45. Chinese tea sets are very pretty and practical presents and, along with the numerous sets of bowls, are available in a range of distinctive colours and glazes for a very reasonable price. Jade necklaces and bracelets start at £8 and there are home textiles such as Chinese silk cushions (£10) and silk lampshades (£30-£65. My favourites: Chinese cloisonné Christmas tree decorations including a panda (£3.80), snowflake (£2.70) and a blue Santa (£3.70). Très festive (www.rouge-shop.co.uk).
The ever reliable Church Street stalwart, Metal Crumble, (13 Church Street) never one to disappoint, has its normal wide range of silver, amber and semi-precious stone jewellery on offer (including a bumper selection of charms, earrings and bangles in the £5-£10 price range). New this year, though, are some stunning fused silver bands, no two alike, created – according to one of the shop’s proprietors and resident alchemists, Roger, of Cuba fame – through a combination of silversmithing and blacksmithing (the technical details escaped me – as per – although the blacksmithing bit sounded a bit butch to me, given the delicacy of the finished product). Very sculptural, very dramatic – and very original. In line with current goth trends (do keep up …), they’ve also produced some striking rosary-style silver necklaces, retailing at between £50 and £80. More than enough to satisfy your inner Madonna – safe in the knowledge that Madge herself won’t have one. And my personal favourite: beautiful Venetian glass bracelets (Mille Fiori – a thousand flowers in Italian, but you knew that, didn’t you?), which make a very special present for under £20. Spoilt for choice – or just unsure? MC offer gift vouchers for the indecisive (www.metalcrumble.com). Affinity (5 Church Street) also has a wide range of jewellery, bracelets and rings, as well as watches.
Galloping along Church Street, don’t miss the variously striped and spotted sox, tights, beanies and scarves, at Hub (49 and 88 Church Street). Route 73 (92 Church Street) has a wacky and wonderful range of toys of all descriptions. And check out a little gourmet gift-giving at Camia, presently piled high with continental foodie treats like Panetonne.
Tana Mana (150-152 Church Street) has beautiful things all year round, but at this time of year, they’re indispensable. Beautiful scarves, fabric-covered notebooks, perfume bottles (from £7), wacky kiddies brollies, sparkly heart-shaped dishes (perfect for seasonal bon-bons), recycled plastic phone bags (for the ethical texter) – and very special old-fashioned tree decorations imported from India, instant heirlooms from £3.50.
Early Bird (86 Church Street) has been selling the obligatory ‘I heart Hackney’ badges for a little while now – but news just in: ‘I heart Stokey’ badges and key-rings. Perfect (cheap) stocking fillers. This year’s best-seller? Retro space hoppers (with pump): £15. Selling well, even on a dank November afternoon: Elvis or Barbie fridge magnet sets (mix and match?), Moleskine diaries, sketchbooks and notebooks, Paperblanks diaries and notebooks, the Tom Shedden-mounted N16 prints (exclusive to Early Bird), hand-painted piggy banks, the Tradesman mugs (new this year: ‘high maintenance’, ‘diva’, ‘big girl’s blouse’ – all of which could claim shelf space in my kitchen), and, mais natch, the ‘grow your own’ kits. If grow your own ‘new parents’, ‘mother-in-law’ or ‘therapist’ don’t ring your bells, opt for the most popular: grow your own rubber ducky. You know you want one. More frighteningly, you know other people who want one.
Cobbled Yard (1 Bouverie Road) is just behind the Daniel Defoe pub, and contains antiques and second-hand items of all descriptions, from furniture to memorabilia and lamps to bicycles. It’s full of unusual and original stuff and you’re bound to find the perfect gift here (www.cobbled-yard.co.uk).
Hamiltons (96 Church Street) is always reliable, and always distinctive. New – to me, anyway – is the selection of stylish handbags on offer, plus a range of seasonal baubles, jewellery, scarves, Christmas lights, mugs, photoframes – and the pièce de resistance, a stick on punk mohican. If you’re hard enough.
Demo Silver, at 119a Church Street (where’s 119b?) has got to be the smallest shop on Church Street. Recently opened, DS offers scarves, funky handmade boho bags from £5-10, some pretty necklace/earring sets for £20, and a range of silver and semi-precious-stone jewellery.
Either Ivory (188a High Street) has got a new buyer, or something passed me by the last time I visited. The shop now stocks a pretty distinctive range and offers some edgy little items for the urban girl. And for Christmas, they’ve got a good range of handbags, belts, scarves and costume jewellery. Go visit. Your party outfit could await. Further down the High Street is Ark (161 Stoke Newington Road, www.thearkgifts.com), a small but perfectly-formed gift and interiors shop selling photo-frames, clocks, retro homeware, and such items as eco-friendly wash bags, made out of recycled plastic bags (£8.95) and handmade gemstone bracelets and necklaces (from £14.95).
For those of you concerned with looking and feeling healthy, don’t forget that there are good value gift tokens from hairdressing, health and beauty experts Shine Holistic (52 Church Street, www.shineholistic.co.uk) and from local women-only gym Sunstone (16 Northwold Road, www.sunstonewomen.com), Sunstone sell sportswear, casual clothing, yoga goods, and their tokens begin at £5. The new health and fitness club The Bay Health Club (183 High Street, www.thebayhealthclub.co.uk) are likewise selling vouchers as presents. And don’t forget that books make a perfect Christmas gift. The award-winning Stoke Newington Bookshop (142 High Street) has a huge range of titles and whether what you want is local, Booker winner or novelty, you’ll find it here.
We’ve done the hard work for you – now get your plastic out and send the local economy into overdrive … |
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