Journal

  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...

    These are the Mercantile's selection of classic films that we are revisiting whilst we spend our time at home. The films below all made an impact on cinema audiences and influenced future directors. These are the list of films we would be happy to watch time and time again.     Harvey   Dir.Henry Koster, 1950. A comedy drama...

    Escape reality for a while with The Mercantile's list of current reads, new genres, art book inspiration,TV series and classic films that we're relying on during our time at home. Now's the perfect time to discover something new, so put these suggestions on your list for when you have a few moments to unwind.    Debra // Owner...

    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...

  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...

    Some small suggestions, products and wellness tips from Mercantile London to ease and bring comfort to your stay at home routine.   The classic sweatshirts and tees from Colourful Standard make a cosy yet presentable option. Sustainable, comfortable and uncomplicated, they are made from 100% organic cotton by a company who treat humans as they should be treated...

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...

Our edit of all things home to celebrate your Mum this Mothers' Day.   Grand Illusions Crassula Tall Vase // East End Prints Zebra II A3 Poster // Broste Rainy Day Wide Ceramic Vase // Nkuku Indus Wooden Bowl // Broste Indian Tan Drop Vase // Nkuku Vintage Brass Bottle Opener // Grand Illusions Pina Vase // East End Prints Sitting Woman A3 Poster //   Shop more homeware...

Our edit of all things beauty to celebrate your Mum this Mothers' Day.       Plum & Ashby Wild Fig & Saffron Hand Cream Tube // Bon Parfumeur 003 Perfume // Plum & Ashby Seaweed & Samphire Bath Essence // Compagnie De Provence Cashmere Hand Cream // Parkminster Rosemary & Eucalyptus Bath Salts Sachet // Join Hedgerow Hand Soap // Bon Parfumeur 901 Perfume // Alvarez Gomez Agua...

International Women's Day  (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. International Women's Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups...