Vans Launch New Camden Store

Where would indie boys and girls be without their trusty Vans Authentic plimsolls?  Opening a dedicated Vans store on the old Footlocker site opposite Camden Town tube station on the High Street side is a genius move by the American skate brand. The US-style shop fit - the first of its UK stores to have this edgy, raw wood and wire, artisan warehouse style interior - gives it a more urban feel well suited to the North London muso vibe.

Although the official launch was last night, the store - which sells both men's and women's apparel, skateboards, longboards, accessories, luggage, some great snapbacks and, of course, shoes - has been open for two weeks now and the super helpful staff tell me they've been run off their feet every single day with a mixture of tourists and Londoners.

Possibly the best news from last night's launch was that the super hot, long awaited Vans' Waffle Sole iPhone Covers which started off as a promo item then went cult, selling for crazy$£ on eBay, will finally be getting a general release this August.

This new Camden store has a similar feel, interior-wise, to the Vans x DQM General Store in New York (although it's far less mainstream on the product front), so I'm hoping it's a step towards bringing this kind of upmarket, skate inspired street fashion boutique to the UK.

Vans Store, 191-209 Camden High Street, London NW1 7BT. www.vans.co.uk

JACK SPADE OPENS LONDON STORE!

From SoHo to Soho, Kate Spade's brilliant brother brand, urban menswear maestro Jack Spade is coming to London! The first UK store from the American label which oozes the kind of media cool that makes Soho such a great location for the shop, will open in London at 83 Berwick Street W1 on 30th March. The messenger bags are worth a look for the ladies too - I've had mine, which I use as a laptop bag, for almost five years now and it's still pretty much good as new and has a slick, city style that doesn't date. I highly recommend. www.jackspade.com