Wednesday, December 23, 2009

A Labour of Love, indeed

Back around December of 2007, having recently quit my non-profit job and wanting to do something else, I dreamed of opening a boutique filled with all my favorite things. I'd be my own boss and get to spend my days surrounded by a collection that I curated. I spent hours and hours researching what lines I would carry, what kind of fixtures I'd have, what wallpaper I wanted. I even started scouting locations and made a phone call to inquire about the cost of a well-located vacant storefront on Havemeyer Street. Unfortunately, health problems and a sinking economy put that dream on hold indefinitely, as I saw many of my favorite Brooklyn stores shut their doors over the course of the next year.

If I ever did open a store, however, I would only hope that it would look something like Labour of Love, a somewhat new independent boutique in London. I've always identified more with London style than I have with New York, and this shop really personifies that look and spirit. It's located within spitting distance of my old apartment in Angel Islington, which would have been really dangerous had it existed when I lived there in 2003-4. The actual brick-and-morter store is a well-curated collection of clothing, accessories, books, objects, and music... a portion of which is thankfully available on their e-shop. Browsing the site has made me really miss London.

3 comments:

Nicola said...

Oh, I think Labour of Love is absolutely wonderful! It would be my inspiration for a shop too!

Teresa said...

What a lovely store! I'm dying for a pair of Finsk wedges!

http://www.invasionista.com

Alex said...

Oh I love Labour of Love! I live a minute away from it! What a lovely surprise to see a shout out for it on your blog (which I found through your top ten vintage etsy posts)!