You get more than you bargain for at Selvedge because it really is the expression of a passion shared between a dedicated team of staff – a shop, a magazine and a cult following. I had heard about the magazine long before I realised there was a shop. Not just any shop, but one which is visited by fans from far and wide – and it’s here, in our community, on the Archway Road!
The Magazine – is a design-led,100 page, bi-monthly magazine that covers every facet of textiles – interiors, fashion, art, craft, travel and shopping – in an intelligent and inspiring way. Its content is as diverse as its audience and is a source of inspiration to everyone with a love of textiles from designers to collectors, shoppers, students, teachers and artists. Founder Polly Leonard created Selvedge so there would be a textile magazine which was as beautiful as the fabric between its pages. Twelve years on it continues to wave that banner.
The Shop – is small but this makes it all the more intriguing and it is filled with fabrics sourced from all over the world. Each has a story to tell, from linen cloths produced by Vaxbo, a farm where flax is grown, spun and woven in Sweden, to hand-block printed napkins from the Les Indiennes range of natural dyed fabrics. Other related items and crafted articles (which Selvedge calls drygoods) are made by skilled and talented people using time-honoured techniques and by buying them Selvedge believes you are adding a new chapter to their story.
Selvedge: 162 Archway Road, London, N6 5BB. Open Mon-Sat, 9.30-5.30pm, T: +44 (0) 208 341 9721 www.selvedge.org
