Journal

  It seems relevant to return to a back to basics approach for the autumn season, questioning the longevity of our purchases and their ability to offer the multiple demands we make on them. Over the years Mercantile London has grown with and supported crafts people, artisans, small brands and individual makers who's agendas is to work in the right...

  To welcome in the autumn season, Mercantile London headed down to Mersea Island in Essex (once a holiday home for the Romans from nearby historic Colchester) with a selection of favourite pieces from the new collections. An edit of easy to style but elevated pieces were combined with the last of summer’s shorts, and bare feet. Summer dresses were...

    Meadows is designed in Hackney, East London, by Australian born, Central Saint Martins graduate, Louise Markey. It is is a romantic, feminine, and seriously collectable collection inspired by Victoriana, folklore, and a prairie-style silhouette. Centred around dresses, the collection is inspired by various sources. The white cotton styles found in the summer collections focus on embroidery, whilst the...

    The Stine Goya Pre Fall 20 Collection is a journey through the mind and life of Swedish artist Moki Cherry, (mother of Neneh) an exploration of artistic rebellion and a return to the brand’s roots in multimedia artistic practice.From design to drama, art to music, this season examines an artist’s bold interpretation of the adage “the stage as a...

  With a post-summer edit to get back out there including a selection of new backpacks, and a Autumn & Winter offer called 'Chasing Time', Rains the Danish  contemporary rain wear lifestyle brand are choosing to slow down this season. Inspiration for the collection comes as a contrast to the ever-increasing speed of life, with inspiration to forgo the fast-paced...

  Wanderlust Life is an understated jewellery label with a minimalist edge, born from a passion for travel and creative living, and handcrafted in Devon, UK. The jewellery is designed and created in the brand's working studio by a talented all-female collective led by founder Georgie Roberts, whose own wanderlust and style inspired her to create unique and understated designs. ...

  With the launch of the summer sale now is the perfect time to take a review of your wardrobe and see where you may need to invest.  These following five styles are the ones that transcend seasons and are the building blocks to which you can add new purchases season after season. A tight edit of quality staples you...

    This spring/summer 20 season, Stine Goya launches “House of Goya” drawing inspiration from the extravagant aesthetic, the freedom of expression and inclusive community of the international Ballroom culture, as documented through the 1990 American film Paris is Burning, which showcases the ball culture of New York and the African-American, Latino, gay and transgender communities and Kiki, a documentary...

  Second Female was founded in Copenhagen in 2000. The style is Scandinavian with a chic and modern French touch. This is reflected in the four yearly collections through feminine silhouettes, hand-drawn prints, chunky knits and elegant suits. Their design philosophy and aim is to create a relevant wardrobe that embodies comfort and gives confidence to the wearer.Underlining the Scandinavian values...

  The SS20 Native Youth’s collection is made from sustainable, trend-driven yet functional menswear and womenswear with careful consideration given to  fabrication and the perfect fit. Through the designers’ interest in art, photography, and contemporary culture, androgynous British silhouettes fuse with Japanese style details, and juxtaposing Scandinavian prints and colour bursts create a diversified collection.With a signature (sell out) print...

   The Pre Autumn 2020 collection "Back to Back" by Baum Und Pferdgarten is inspired by the work of the Hamptons-based artists Jane Wilson and Jane Freilicher.  In the late 1950’s American artists Jane Wilson and Jane Freilicher shared a house in the Hamptons for several summers. They painted together in the same room “side by side or back or...

    Not considered a classic for nothing, the classic t-shirt may be one of the simplest pieces to style but it has obtained iconic status for a reason.  First worn by men as an undergarment, the cotton jersey crew neck became standard military issue in World War II, and was descended from the Breton style tops worn by Navy...

  The use of gemstones as both a decoration and healing tool dates back centuries with the Ancient Egyptians and Mayans being some of the first cultures to revere certain stones,with the Greeks and Romans also continuing with the practise. Records suggest gemstones such as amber, jade and lapis lazuli were carved into amulets and talismans to protect health and...

  Colour is known to have an direct effect on our physical and emotional responses and research has demonstrated that different colours can simulate our senses, evoke a memory, and effect both behaviours and mood. Colour psychology is a branch of study that believes through selecting colour with purpose and surrounding ourselves with certain shades we can improve our mood...

  Meadows is a romantic and feminine collection inspired by Victoriana, prairie-style and folklore. The collection is designed in Hackney, East London, by Australian born, Central Saint Martins graduate, Louise Markey. The collection is inspired by various sources - the white cotton styles focus on embroidery and lace and draw their inspiration largely from Victorian undergarments. The floral printed and embroidered...

Good News - S/S20 Lookbook   Good News produce conscious sneakers and are on an evolving  journey to produce fully sustainable footwear. Their aim is to improve the environmental and social sustainability of their products by decreasing  carbon, chemical and water footprint, whilst caring for the people who make the shoes. "Recycled rubber - organic cotton - a monitored supply...

Like most great fashion classics la marinière (the sailor) or Breton was designed with practicality in mind and has a history that stretches back to 1858 when it became the official uniform for certain sections of the French navy. A practical long sleeved over-shirt, it was intended to be worn as an extra layer for warmth and the original Breton...

Tran-seasonal and easy to wear, colours such as turmeric, soft cream and sage work hard to lift the chilly days and are easy to pair with everyday denim. The pieces below are in our winter sale which ends soon, so last chance on these classics.   CUS Noko Dijon Sweater // Second Female Loch Inca Gold Midi Dress // Des Petits Hauts Selym...

The spring arrivals bring fresh new pieces to the shop floor. A pallet of zen blue sits alongside soft lemons, mauve and mint with a punch of massai red, colbalt and antique yellow. Classic cream and soft taupe keep it balanced and wearable. Accessories continue the theme with the offer of the Saucony jazz original in rose and Bell &...

Vintage inspired, pointelle detail and a pastel palette is the big thing in knitwear at the moment. Don't save until the warmer days, these knits and cardigans are perfect to wear now, to lift the cold days. Wear slightly oversized and tucked into classic high rise denim.  Bellerose Datair Ice Cardigan // And Less Bambina Dusty Lavender Pullover // Maison Anje Lanea Tea...