Retail therapy

Apr 5 2008 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

BARBOUR production never stops but this Thursday at 4pm they’re taking a special tea break (with cake!) to celebrate 100 years of the Barbour catalogue.

Malcolm Barbour, son of founder John, took the bold move of putting together a 12-page mail order brochure ‘Oilskin Clothing for factors and warehousemen’ 100 years ago, mailed it nation – and then world – wide and nine years later it accounted for 75% of the business. This weatherproof Sylkoil Beacon coat had a velvet collar, weighed 3.5lb and reassuringly was described as ‘non sticky’ for just 21/- (£1.10) with free p&p. This spring’s collection is equally inventive and there are bargains still to be had in the factory shop in Bede Industrial Estate, Jarrow, (0191) 428-4707.

THIS cotton metallic raincoat by Passport , £179, couldn’t be more different. It’s a new arrival within the exclusive selection available at Lady@Village Gate in Tynemouth. Owner Margaret Dawson describes the label as appealing to both mums and daughters. “Very popular weekend wear,” she says. The shop now has its full complement of spring deliveries so it’s an excellent time to swoop in and do your special occasion shopping. The French ‘Zapa’ label in silk chiffons and fine linens is perfect for the races and summer weddings as well as Spanish labels Gloria Estellès and Mireia Bisbe, (0191) 257-3373.

WEEKEND wear used to mean an anorak. We were lucky! And given the choice again, anoraks are still OK, particularly when they’re from Howies the Welsh environmental surfwear company that gives value (human and retail) to every garment it produces. This Sundown anorak-style jacket, £70, sizes 8-16, is made from broken down polyester garments that have been given a second life. When you’re done with it, they’ll accept it back again for further recycling. Buy online at www.howies.co.uk

CATCH all the weekend action with a crazy Lomo camera. This panoramic Horizon Kompakt has a pleasing clockwork mechanism instead of battery, but it’s so modern, it’s almost futuristic. It is easy to double expose and has full daylight and nightime settings for £175. It’s from the range of Lomo cameras available at Baltic² to coincide with the shop being decorated by The Lomographic Society with thousands of tiny images. Starting at £25, these cameras create novelty pictures with saturated colour, fish eye, frog eye and even ‘cyber’ effects, (0191) 478-1810, www.balticmill.com/shop