Store Visit | Albam, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden

Albam Clothing - Covent Garden, London

Henrietta Street, in the centre of Covent Garden, has slowly turned into one of the best places to shop for menswear in London. It was only a couple of years ago the street was packed with tired looking restaurants, cafes and unused units, but if you take a wander down the street in 2016 picture couldn't be more different.

This historical street is now its own close-knit community; with Oliver Sweeney, Fred Perry and The Real McCoys on one side, and Nigel Cabourn, Club Monaco, Edwin and the recently opened Albam store sitting opposite. The news of Albam opening its 4th store in the city prompted me to swing on by to see how they were getting on.

The store packs everything you'd expect from Albam; well designed, durable and fuss-free clothing. The current collection features sweatshirts and unstructured outwear in navy, grey, neutral and khaki, summer-weight shirts, jersey and chinos, selvedge denim and a few final bits from their successful collaboration with MR PORTER. There's also a small concession of Nike footwear and independent magazines, with the wall space decorated with print by local a local artist.

Garcon Jon recently went to meet the store managers that keep things ticking over, worth taking a look. 31 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8NA. See more of our Store Visits here.

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Nixon Watches Customisation Workshop in London

What makes "a collector"? Most of us would admit to hoarding something a little embarrassing when we were a younger. A strong selection of playground-dominating POGS, vintage toy cars, nostalgic stamps, or something a little more obscure like vintage matchboxes or carrier bags...

I collect many things (my criteria is if it's something I enjoy and have more than a few of); sneakers, Bearbricks, pens, stamps, vintage denim, Tintin comics, and watches. So when the opportunity came up for me to customise my very own Nixon watch a few weeks ago, I really couldn't refuse. A week later I found myself sitting in Nixon's brand new Customisation Workshop in their Seven Dials, all ready to get started.

The idea is simple; start by choosing one of three existing Nixon watch models; the Time Teller, Sentry, and 48-20. I chose the Time Teller for its slimline and minimal features. After you've decided on your style this is where the customisation really starts to begin. A quick chat with the workshop manager about how the actual process works is followed by your next big decision; the outer case, dial and wristband.

We were presented with each option; several colour combinations of dial, numerous styles of band (from American-made Horween leather, coated cotton, rubber and steel linked), and a selection of steel case fittings. It's a similar process to Nike iD, but much more rewarding as you actually get to see it being made in front of you.

There's a few smaller features you can customise, like the crown and fastenings, but for now we worked on getting the overall look of our customised Time Teller spot on.

Store Visit | Club Monaco, Covent Garden, London

Club Monaco, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden

Henrietta Street, just around the corner from the market at Covent Garden, is pretty hot property when it comes to menswear these days. With Nigel Cabourn, Oliver Sweeney, Edwin, Fred Perry and The Real McCoy's already taking up residency, Club Monaco has added its name to the growing family. Located just around the corner from our favourite barbershop, Ruffians, is Club Monaco's third store in the capital dedicated to menswear. The store itself takes on an outside-inside theme; with hanging baskets and large planters lurking around every corner, accompanied upstairs by a simple black and white oriental-inspired interior, and a more" gentlemans' club"-feel downstairs.

Along with the Club Monaco casualwear and smart collections you'll find a selection of well-suited North American brands in there too; Alden, Gitman Vintage, Jeans Shop, Wings & Horns, along with a selection of accessories and books. Their American whiskey offering doesn't hurt matters either.

Club Monaco Men's Shop, 5 Earlham Street, 29 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8NA. See more of our Store Visits here.

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Store Visit | Realm & Empire x IWM, Seven Dials

Realm & Empire x IWM Pop-Up Store, Seven Dials, London.

In collaboration with the Impertial War Museum, Realm & Empire has set up their first official retail space. I took the opportunity to stop by while I was doing the rounds in London last week, by all accounts it's been a long time in the works. As soon as you step into the store – which can be found just five minutes from Covent Garden – you instantly realise that a lot has gone into making this store happen.

Seven Dials has become known for its good lashing of men's style (see our Farah Vintage visit), design stores, and independent shops, and the R/E store fits in perfectly; sitting between outdoor retail Finisterre, and the Carhartt WIP flagship, on Earlham Street. 

The store itself has been designed inkeeping with the brand's strong links to the military and war history – Realm & Empire is the only clothing brand with access to the Imperial War Museum's vast archive – with exposed brickwork, wooden floors and utilitarian furniture. The gear matches the interior too; their take on practical outerwear, utility shirts, heavy jersey, British-made knitwear, and gifts can all be found within.

Realm & Empire x IWM Pop-Up (open until 31st December), 5 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London, WC2H 9LL.  See more of our Store Visits here.

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Store Visit | Oliver Sweeney, Covent Garden

 Oliver Sweeney, Covent Garden, Henrietta Street

After our visit to the newly opened Natural Selection store at Seven Dials we moseyed down the road to Henrietta Street; Covent Garden's most exciting road when it comes to menswear.  With Nigel Cabourn, The Real McCoy + Fred Perry (and soon to open Edwin) propping up each side the pavement, this one cut-through street is starting to space up nicely.

Just around the corner from our favourite barbershop, Ruffians, you'll find the new Oliver Sweeney store. With its modestly sized front, the store makes you do the old double take once you step foot inside - anyone without their specs may struggle to see to the rear of the shop, it's massive. The store contains the brand's new collection; formal and casual footwear; shoes, boots, trainers + beachwear; key pieces from their clothing range, and a selection of exclusive concessions from Left Field Denim + Karas Kustoms stationery.

Kitted out with dark brown wooden fixture and dimly lit lighting, against the dark marine blue units, the store definitely has a gent's clubhouse feel to it. And when you finally reach the back of the store you'll find a whiskey bar, which caters to those in need of something wet. But this doesn't distract from the fact that the store is a beautifully considered space, one which could lend itself nicely to events, classes or exhibition space. Covent Garden, you're on a roll.

Oliver Sweeney, 10 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8PS.  See more of our Store Visits here.

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Store Visit | Natural Selection London, Seven Dials

It's been a easy progression for Natural Selection to shift focus from a denim-centric brand, to what is now a well-rounded collection of contemporary clothing for men + women. After starting life focusing on indigo goods, Natural Selection has just open their first retail store, to coincide with their first comprehensive collection under the name of Natural Selection London. The store can be found within the busy streets of Seven Dials, Covent Garden - an area which is never happy unless it's evolving. How many coffee shops does one area need...I always leave buzzed.

Within football booting distance of Carharrt WIP, Le Coq Sportif, and the newly opened Finisterre outdoor store, the store sits in a great location - Seven Dials, at Covent Garden has a great community feel. As well as their core denim (we previously styled a feature which focused on their denim), the store stocks a full collection of jersey, chambray + printed shirts, outerwear, trousers, and a few concessions - including footwear brand, No. 228, and some super swanky perfumes.

Have you took a trip around Seven Dials lately?

Natural Selection, 46 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9LE. See more of our Store Visits here.

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