The high street’s currently brimful of a mishmash of retro inspirations and modern takes, but tucked away among the often hit and miss clothing are some cute accessories. This selection, from Topshop, is quirky and sweet. My favourite item is the dog walker brooch, a nice one off that’s bound to attract compliments too.
Keep an eye out for lots of 50s-inspired corsage bracelets to pep up any retro prom dress too.
Nifty recycling or clever design? The Vintage Flash Camera Clock is probably both.
Handmade by US artist Debra Dresler, it probably looks better than it functions, with that added battery-operated clock the only working part, with some existing camera parts amended to work with it. Surely a bit more work could have made that huge flash go off as an early morning alarm?
Oh well, maybe next time. As it is, the Vintage Flash Camera Clock retails for $165, which is around £85.
Find out more at the Uncommon Goods website
We’ve covered the YMC plimsolls before, but Oki-Ni has a new twist on this simple shoe – the YMC Patent Leather Plimsoll.
It”s still very much the old-fashioned plimsoll, the kind you probably wore at school. Except this version matches the rubber sole and toe with a shiny white patent leather upper and adds a YMC logo on the rear.
A bit more expensive than your old school plimsolls too – they retail for £79.
There’s a debate going on right now about 70s architecture – and Robin Hood Gardens in East London is right in the middle of it.
This slice of Brutalist architecture was built by the Smithsons Partnership between 1969 and 1972, an example of the ‘street in the sky’ concept that was taking hold of our towns and cities during the era and often described as their ‘best building’. It houses 213 flats, all overlooking a large green area of communal land. Architects are demanding it is listed and refurbished to a standard befitting its status – and a decision on this by English Heritage and architecture minister Margaret Hodge will be made in the next week.
Listing is not an option preferred by the local council. It claims upgrading will cost £70,000 per flat, with one eye perhaps on using the land as part of redevelopment of the area. But what do you think? Is it an eyesore? Or does this kind of groundbreaking architecture need to be saved and upgraded? Let us know your thoughts if you have any. Personally I think we should protect these buildings as part of our 20th century heritage.
Would you pay around £100 for a cushion? Well, you might if it was a design classic like the Alexander Girard Checker cushion.
The Checker design was part of a range produced from 1952, with this specific textile introduced in 1965, originally as an Eames chair pad. It’s now a cushion, courtesy of Vitra, with its op art look perfect for a 60s-styled room.
If you can afford to pay the £98.70 price tag.
Find out more at the Nest website
Flower power loving hippies and design aficionados alike should love the Flower Stool/Table by Eero Koivisto.
Made from cold foam, it is available in a choice of red, orange, white or black. It is comfortable, durable and easy to clean, making it suitable to use anywhere, but it is the cute flower shape that appeals to us most.
Funktionalley are selling the Flower Stool/Table for £183, a small price to pay for a product designed "to make the user happy".
