2nd
Great Britain , United Kingdom
Trip Around the World, DAY 1-4
When I was 19 years old, I was living in England. I had no money to go to school, so I spent every day licking show windows of traditional stores and browsing second-hand clothing stores, which had been my hobby since junior high school.
Even in these difficult days, I occasionally traveled to Paris and Milan because I was in Europe. I went to Paris many times because there was inexpensive transportation there, but I had never been anywhere in the United Kingdom, which was supposed to be close. . I guess I thought I could always go there, and at the time, I was crazy about fashion, so I was not interested in any cities other than those with a strong clothing culture.
Exactly 20 years have passed since then, and I was in London again. I had ordered a pair of John Robb London shoes at the end of last year with a once-in-a-lifetime commitment, and now that they are complete, I have come to pick them up.
After John Robb London tried on the finished shoes and gave their approval, they asked me to stay for about two weeks to shave the wooden shoe keepers that are placed inside the shoes to keep their shape, so if possible, I should stay for that time and receive them before returning to Japan.
I was hesitant about spending more than two weeks abroad, but since such an opportunity was rare, I decided to make the most of the two weeks and planned the "Trip Around the Island of Great Britain," as the title suggests. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I decided to take a trip around Great Britain to collect all the other longings I had for the country one by one.
DAY 1. London
Early in the morning , I arrive in London. Leaving my luggage at the hotel, I first go into a cafe and sip a cup of tea. . the kind with milk until it turns pink . I love this tea more than anything else. I believe it is because of the water and the air. While I was chomping on a cookie, it occurred to me that Friday is the vintage fashion day at Portobello Market. . I should go there after a while.
Portobello is the neighborhood of the house I used to live in . I used to walk there every weekend. The market looks exactly the same as it did back then, with the same selection of goods as usual. Vintage clothing is timeless. Here, I rescued my ragged rain mack (under the name of Traditional Weather Wear), my best friend for this trip, from the pile of clothes piled up on a blue sheet on the street. I quickly put it on and braved the light rain.
I don't think it has changed, but I don't think it had a roof 20 years ago....
. "Rain mac" is a generic term for a rubberized coat as represented by McIntosh.
. Next, I went to the "just looking at used clothes" store, which I used to go to every day at that time. The basement floor (the super-cheap section), where I always spent a lot of time, has not changed at all from those days, with its dingy interior, miscellaneous products, quantity, and prices! . It was as if I had gone back in time, and nothing had changed at all. With plenty of time to spare, I spent hours checking out all the products and collecting items that caught my eye, just as I would have done 20 years ago. Unlike those days, shopping is now a "buying" process, and I can buy any item of this price without hesitation. I have grown up. However, I feel funny when I realize that my desire to look for things I like and the way I look at them have not changed at all since those days.
It was a great learning experience at the time to search for masterpieces and curiosities among the mixture of designer, traditional, and sportswear.
First day's results. A large amount of dead stock from a Harvey and Hudson order was unearthed. I wonder if they belonged to the deceased....
DAY 2.
On this day, I watched the opening game of the English Premier League soccer tournament, which I had been looking forward to. Dressed as a fan of the local team "West Ham United," I went to the London Olympic Stadium. Unfortunately, they lost to the powerful "Manchester City" by a large margin. To be honest, I was more interested in the other team's performance as a soccer fan, but I couldn't say that in my home stadium.
As one would expect from an English supporter . They are hot! Too hot!
DAY 3. London
Sunday . Since many stores are closed on Sundays in London, I decided to visit markets and museums. I saw the "Cindy Sherman Exhibition" at the National Portrait Gallery and studied antiquities at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Seeing avant-garde art and ancient human activities on the same day makes me think about the evolution and change of human aesthetic senses and methods.
Most foreign museums allow photography. Admission is either free or optional donation. The way of thinking about art is different from that of Japan.
This 15th century tapestry is all woolen (!)! It is a dauntingly large work of art.
DAY 4. London
On the morning of the fourth day, after the swelling in my feet from the long flight had subsided, I finally went to John Robb London to try on a pair of shoes. When I put my feet into the long-awaited shoes, I was shocked to find that the instep of my foot was too big. What the heck is this? When I was stunned, Mr. Neil, who was in charge, smiled and said
Sir, please do not hesitate to express your concerns."
I told him, "Coco and Coco," to which he replied, "Coco and Coco," to which I replied, "Coco and Coco," to which he replied, "Coco and Coco.
Ok, I'll have it fixed by 3:00 p.m., so come back around that time, Sir.
. so.
With some trepidation, I took advantage of my free time to visit "Robert Young," a leading authority on antique folk art. Folk art was a genre of antiques that I had become interested in after encountering it at an antique market in the U.S., but here it hit me right in the heart. All of them are breathtakingly beautiful, simple, and lovely. I couldn't stop looking at all of them, but as soon as I entered the store, my eyes were immediately drawn to a small 17th century portrait framed in gold, which I bought.
Robert Young's store is filled with a variety of period objects.
All of these dancer figures are sold as a set. In the world of antiques, it is a rule that sets are not broken up.
French 18th and 19th century vessels and plates. All of these objects were not considered "art" at the time they were made.
Osamu Tezuka in the 17th century! Like Osamu Tezuka in the 17th century! . It is a painting with a power that draws you in.
At 3 p.m., I returned to John Robb London, and Neil was there with his shoes.
Mr. Ozaki , we have been waiting for you.
. and greeted me with a beaming smile.
I immediately tried it on again. Hmmm ...... nnnn...? . The part that was skunky in the morning is perfectly fixed. . but this time, there is a slight pressure feeling on the outside of my pinky toe. I could not mind it, since it is a common occurrence due to the characteristics of my foot shape, but... it is a bespoke pair, after all... , I was pondering over it...
Sir, I think you're worried about your pinky finger."
Neil said.
Actually, yes, I said, touching my pinky finger a few times.
He said, "Ok, I'll fix it. Come back on the morning of the 24th to have your shoe tree shaved.
I got a cool wink, shook his hand, and left the restaurant.
I really wonder if it will be ok like that.... I'm worried. ......
The "Guinness" I had at the pub on the way home was not too cold, but it did not taste good at all.
Experience the true joy of Bespoke. The company's policy is not to make temporary stitches, but to fix and adjust the finished product many times until you are satisfied with the finished product.
A kinky, cold, midsummer Guinness that should be delicious.
. So, after completing our itinerary in London, tomorrow we will finally begin our journey around the United Kingdom. For the time being, I plan to visit antique markets large and small every day, but since I want the trip to be full of accomplishments and many stops along the way, I have not kept any accommodations so that I can change my schedule at any time. So, what kind of trip will it be? With eagerness and a little anxiety in my heart, I went to bed to wake up early.
The journey continues.
PROFILE
. Born in 1980. After working as a store buyer, he launched "Filmerange" and became independent as "Sankakke" in 2012. He spends his days working and traveling while pursuing good Japanese products.
