Our shop on Calvert Avenue
Calvert Avenue is the home of Ally Capellino. We have nine windows on the street although only two are public facing.
It's our head office and design studio, which we moved into in 2004. We design and prototype the bags in the studio, lunch and take meetings (and feed the goldfish) in the atrium, and welcome wholesale customers and press in our showroom. We are part of the Boundary Estate, a philanthropic venture into public housing, built at the turn of the previous century. The estate was the first in Europe and at the centre is Arnold Circus (where the image above was taken from), built on the remains of the Victorian slum that was torn down to make way for it.
When an empty shop space became available next door at number nine, we jumped at it.
Gradually Shoreditch has changed and is now the destination for creatives and socialisers. We feel part of the community and are happy to be in the neighbourhood that includes slow food maker Leila’s Shop, as well as several other individual and independent eating places, like Essential Vegan Cafe and the Rochelle Canteen. Fashion brands that we like are Studio Nicholson, MHL, Sunspel, and APC. The ridiculously exclusive Hostem and Toogood are also neighbours. Sneakers and Stuff, Nike Lab, Camper Lab and Browns East are all testing forward fashion, while Shoreditch House and Ace Hotel are now joined by Nobu, Hoxton Hotel, and the Curtain Hotel.
The rich/poor mix is not quite as it was and some of the originals on the street have left but there is a strong creative streak to the community and a love for the area from all who are there.
Click the image below to shop our latest collection.