TUESDAY 27 JULY, 2010

His ‘n’ Hers
Single sex boutiques open

Pink and blue baby bumf.
Male and female toilets.
His ‘n’ hers hotel slippers. 

We’re taught from an early age that the sexes are segregated. Not that it’s stopped us trying to cross boundaries, blurring the androgynous line or entering into transvestite territory. If only we could pee standing up. If only we had boo… you know the rest. 

So it’s nice to see a couple of boutiques opening up with their wares strongly steered towards each sex. Hostem, situated at the top corner of the increasingly populated Redchurch Street, is split into three beautifully love-worn areas with the men firmly in mind. Visvim, Mastermind Japan and Adam Kimmel in the first bright space, Rick Owens in amongst scuffed floorboards and low-hanging lightbulbs in a second room, and rotating designers in the third section – complete with coffee pot. 

And whilst their other halves are holed up in Hostem, ladies should pop down the street (grab a fist-sized pastry from Albion on the way) to 11 Boundary. Stocking brands like Tom Ford Sunglasses (so we’re counting on these guys getting his hugely anticipated first womenswear collection), Wildfox Couture (bringing back the cheeky slogan tee) and House of Harlow, it’s full of mid-range treats and pocket-friendly finds.

Looks like the Battle of the Sexes is back on. If we can stay out of each others’ pockets – literally.  

INFO
Hostem, 41-43 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ.

11 Boundary, 11 Boundary Street, E2 7JE
 

MYDECO DESIGN SCOUT: JULY

From perfect picnics and Summer Exhibitions to barbeque buckets and seaside style, check out MyDeco’s design tips for July.

Check out the products…

THE CULTURIST: AUGUST
Where to go and what to do this month

There’s a tonne of fantastic cultural distractions on this month to woo your poor party/work-addled minds. For a start, there’s Notting Hill Carnival where you can always dig yourself out a nice little after-party – but that’s a bit too obvious for this humble column. So instead, why not try some London earthquakes, rock band artists, a few big name L.E.D.s … and then there’s always the tequila.

Read the Culturist…

ENTERTAIN – your senses with this super-different electro-opera, Tomorrow Is A Year. 8pm, Tuesday 27th July, The Barbican, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS. £15-£25.

SEE – A fantastic new collection of short films, as part of TenderFlix. 1pm-7pm, Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th July, Tenderpixel, 10 Cecil Court, WC2H 4NE. Free.

LISTEN – to the indie-punk sounds of upcoming band, The Palpitations. 7:30pm, Tuesday 27th July, Proud Camden, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH. £6.

EXPERIENCE – the new writing and directorial talent at the Lost Theatre Sessions. Peer Gynt. 7:30pm, Tuesday 27th July, Lost Theatre, 208 Wandsworth Road, SW8 2JU. £10-£13.