These days London living comes with the convenience of a plethora of on-demand businesses that offer a dizzying array of services. Aside from the usual Amazon delivery or regular weekly shop, anything from dog sitters to dry cleaning services to kick boxing lessons can be on your doorstep with the click of a mouse, press of a button or tap on a screen.
Our consumption of fashion is evolving. The throwaway days of ‘new season, new wardrobe’ seem to be numbered as we seek a more sustainable approach to all aspects of our lives, not just the fashionable ones. This evolution is fuelled for some by pragmatism, for others by altruism, but for the majority by a desire for our purchases to exist beyond a few seasons, or even just a few outings. Maximalist founder of the website, Man Repeller, Leandra Medine, recently told British Vogue that she wished she only owned 15 things.
A group of people are huddled over a pair of Louboutin pumps with a broken steel stiletto. An animated discussion ensues about the best course of action for returning the shoes to their former glory.
In another corner, a team of cleaners are using sharp objects and toothbrushes to clean each trend on a pair of Youth Boots.
And in another part of the room tissue is being pushed into toe cavities, cotton dust bags are being ironed and black grosgrain ribbon is being cut to tie the beautifully branded bags together for return to their hopeful owners.
We all have that one pair of shoes or boots or that special handbag we absolutely adore, maybe they were a present, perhaps a well-earned treat to ourselves or an investment piece. These are the accessories that give us a boost and make us feel wonderful when we use them, but what do we do when we realise that they don’t look as fabulous as they once did; perhaps the colour has faded, the clasp is broken or the handle cracked.
