I have very much been looking forward to publishing this piece so naturally have kept putting it off in fear of not doing it the justice it deserves. Malcolm is a boat builder and restorer who lives and works with his partner and fellow worker Pam. Over the years, Malcolm has developed a body of work and expertise in the Canal industry as well as having a number of historic narrow boat restorations under his belt.
Among these roles Malcolm is also my Grandfather and what child wouldn’t relish spending their school holidays on a boatyard; building, exploring and always running a little too close to the canal’s edge. My Grandma Pam would teach me to paint roses in the same, traditional style that she painted on the narrow boats and Malcolm would let me and my brother work the locks when we were out boating: A task to be taken very seriously as a child (and often with some help from Dad).
They taught me a great deal about patience, hard work and what it means to live a life of quality so I wanted to share a little of their world in the form of a chat with Malcolm and some photographs of him working in Peregrine Clothing.
Over to Malcolm!
Malcolm wears the Combe Crew (Navy) and the Halcolmbe Tweed Gilet (Brown)
My name is Malcolm Webster.
I moved to the Cheshire area in the early 1970’s, where, by chance, I discovered the inland waterways system. This was only a few years after the last working boats (carrying cargo) had ceased trading. I became fascinated with these , now ex-working, craft and with my partner Pam set about restoring one for our own use.
I had no formal training as a shipwright or boatbuilder, but was brought up by a practically minded father, who paid great attention to detail and always deemed it better, where possible, to make something oneself, rather than buy it!
During the restoration on our first boat, it was noticed by onlookers that I had some aptitude for the job and thus by chance, certain other work was put my way. One thing led to another and within a few years I had gained a reputation for being one of the few people in the country capable of carrying out extensive repairs on wooden canal boats to an acceptable standard. Not surprising since the demand was not exactly overwhelming, but gratifying nonetheless. Importantly though, it is always my hope that I have been engaged because my work is seen as something a bit in excess of “acceptable”.
Many major contracts have now been completed, from relatively small jobs to complete rebuilds and including work for the National Waterways Museum and preservation societies. The business was consolidated when we acquired premises on the Trent and Mersey canal in 1983 and developed it into a working boatyard.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the work is that of “getting it right”, both in the interpretation and realization of the project in hand and never accepting less than one’s best effort. There is no pleasure or satisfaction to be gained by sub-standard application or workmanship. Sadly this is not always displayed in the goods and equipment I buy, so I am always particularly gratified when I come across products where thought, design and quality are clearly uppermost in the minds of the designers and makers. I am very pleased to have found this to be the case with some recent clothing supplied by Peregrine. Although they do not supply the requisite “boilersuit”, necessary for much of the extreme protection, their woollen wear and jackets provide all the comfort, warmth, quality and style commensurate with my work. If I were a clothing designer, I would be pleased to be part of their team.
Malcolm’s work continues as does ours but we are taking a moment this Monday morning to be grateful for all of the quality things in our lives and the satisfaction and joy in working hard at something you love.
A good shop is one you can step into and immediately loose yourself in a miscro-cosm of expertly-designed products, soft lighting and exquisite visual merchandising. An all-encompassing place that presents the consumer with a concept or lifestyle ready for them to explore.
That is why we are very proud to say that Peregrine Clothing is now stocked front and center in ‘Lost in Pablos’; A newly-opened haven of refined, smart-casual attire for the modern man.
The lifestyle store sits on a beautiful street corner in Gent, Belgium – like an emerald among the cobbles. Inside is a careful selection of understated but well-crafted products from brands sourced all over the globe.
We asked owner Lisa a few questions about the store:
Where does the name ‘Lost in Pablos’ come from?
I picked the name out of a dream I had a few years ago.
It was a dream about my own store in the sixties, and on the window was written “Lost in Pablo & los camicas”
The name is as absurd as the story, but this is how it went. And the name stuck on me, I kept using it and it fit’s in my concept: jungle-ish and not to serious.
Besides, my fathers name is Paul, which is the same as Pablo in Spanish. So I also call it a homage to my father.
What made you want to open a Men’s concept store?
After studying fashion design and CAD CAM for fashion/textile education, I have gained over 13 years’ experience in menswear retail, selling men’s suits and casual men’s clothes.
Whilst working in retail, I was an assistant buyer at a multi-brand menswear shop and became an experienced made to measure tailor.
It became a passion to dress men to their best, and I felt ready to use the considerable experience I’ve gained at my very own store ‘Lost in Pablos’. The shop is a blend of personal passions, an artistic place full greenery where you can find sustainable pieces with an eye for aesthetics. Mainly clothes of course, but also furniture, collages and paintings.
What is your favorite piece from Peregrine AW17?
I am a big fan of the Funky jumper. That was also the piece that attract my attention at the Peregrine stand at the show in Berlin.
And I am glad it did, it was the first piece that was immediately sold out in my shop!
Not only the quality of the wool, but the color contrasts and not to miss; the Harris tweed on the shoulder pads = love it!
Describe the ‘Lost in Pablos’ man in 3 words?
The store has been open for a mere few weeks but is already attracting alot of attention and why wouldn’t it? We know we could while away a Saturday afternoon rifling through rails of clothing under the tropical leaves if we were local.
A big congratulations to Lisa and the team on their opening night and we look forward to working with you for many more seasons to come!
The Rebutia Cactus, native to Argentina. This one is 15 years old!
Welcome to Wild Leaf at 63 Overton road; A specialist store / showroom for indoor plants and interior landscaping. Its like stepping into a Henri Rousseau painting with an overwhelming about of textures and colours and a range of both tropical and Arad plants – some of which have been on the planet even longer than I have.
The store is the project of Tya, a graduate in Environmental Sustainability and daughter of two gardeners. Tya told us how she had transitioned from working in corporate sustainability and developed her own concept store which combined her passion for interior design with her love, knowledge and experience of plants.
Wild leaf has only been open for 3 weeks but is attracting alot of custom and Tya has plans to expand the store into a platform to showcase her interior landscaping and design talents. The shop will double as Tya’s informal office where she can share her vast knowledge in botanical taxonomy and meet with clients to develop their personal or business spaces into living works of art.
When plants are coming and going through the door at 63 every day you probably cant get too attached but Tya did let us in on her favourites. She loves the broad-leaf tropical plants like the Xanthosoma which are having a serious revival at the moment. These elephant-ear plants were a big hit in the seventies and eighties but Tya described how she prefers the contemporary styling of them which sees them situated in cool, dark painted rooms against wicker or ceramic that is textured enough to be a feature but not so much that it overpowers the delicate textures of the plants. These plants don’t like temperatures below 10 degrees but love humidity so are great to have in a light filled bathroom.
Wild Leaf already has a best-seller which is called the Oxalis Triangularis (named after its rounded triangular lleaves). This one has proven popular for its low price point (£12) and the fact that it grows fast and the rich plum-hued leaves add a burst of colour to any interior. Many of the plants in Wild Leaf are importated from contacts or ‘growers’ in Amsterdam, and Tya told us that you can expect new and exciting plants every time you visit Wild Leaf as she is keen to bring many new and exciting species to the attention of her customers.
We were curious to ask which plants from her Arid – tropical spectrum suited which rooms. Cactuses and desert plants suit and thrive in any room with alot of light, it doesn’t have to be hot but it shouldn’t be a bathroom because the humidity will cause them to rot over time.
Tropical plants like the beautiful Asplenium Scolopendrium, for example, need warmth and humidity so would do well in a kitchen or bathroom.
Thanks Tya for letting us roam and chat with you today – it is always great to meet with neighboring businesses, especially ones with such an hands-on and knowledgeable approach to their craft. We know where we will be spending our lunch breaks for the foreseeable future!3 Likes
@JohnStevenMillington
The name John Millington means a few things to us; Lifestyle photographer, a modern day explorer and a man who likes to live minimally but maximizes what the world has to offer. We had a chat with him about his style and his travels and sent him a few garms to keep him warm on his adventures!
Describe the draw of the Highlands?
– The Highlands for me are a magical place. As much as I love cities and the energy cities bring – I feel more creative and at home in the Highlands. Stripping things down to a minimum is something I deeply focus on and living here allows me to keep things very minimal, the day-to-day here is very relaxed and it is so easy to pull inspiration from your surroundings. The endless exploration of the Highlands is also a massive draw for me, there is always a new quaint little coffee shop or shoot location to be discovered!
In your opinion, what makes a great photo great?
– A great photo for me is one that moves and evokes emotion from the viewer, albeit a negative or positive emotion, it is important for me to move someone or inspire someone. Other values I look for are subject matter, tones and composition – All these things for me create a great photo.
You have travelled all over and we love following your journey! What has been your favourite place to visit?
– My favourite places I have ever travelled to are New York City, Corsica, Rome and the Highlands. Each place had its own charm that is easy to fall in love with. Not sure I could choose just one!
Describe your style to us in three words?
– Practical, Minimal, Versatile.
What does ‘Made in England’ mean to you?
– The words “Made in England” come with a massive prestige and heritage. Working with a brand like Peregrine, whose heritage dates back to the 1700’s, with that comes a very deep and strong understanding of English tradition in regards to overall brand image and approach to creating garments. Whenever you see “Made in England” you know that the garment from the design process, to the shop floor has been thoroughly planned, incredibly made and ready to wear for years to come. Supporting independent British companies is also a great thing!
Whats on your agenda to explore in the near future?
– On my own agenda for the future is to see more of my homeland Scotland! I plan on visiting a lot of the isles and tourist destinations up north, to tick off the Scottish places I want to explore on my bucket list! I also plan on going to Copenhagen once my good friends Anthony and Caroline have settled in with their newborn son!
John wears the Park Beanie in Cobble and the Cobble Cardigan in Bark
The majority of our knitwear is crafted from premium Merino wool which we source from Peru and Italy. this is then imported to our factory in Manchester where we spin the yarns ourselves ready to begin machine-knitting the jumpers. read our break-down of merino wool to understand why you should be investing in one of natures finest materials.
Natural elasticity: It is extremely soft and also has a natural elasticity due to its exceptionally fine fibres meaning your knits hold their shape for longer (just don’t put them on a hanger as this can misshape the neck).
Breathable: It is classed as a ‘breathable’ fabric meaning that it can absorb moisture and wont leave you feeling clammy like some synthetic fabrics do after being caught in a down-pour.
Temperature regulating: Merino wool is a fibre often used in outdoor or sporting clothing as it reacts to the body’s temperature cooling you down or warming you up upon requirement.
Anti-wrinkle: If laid flat to dry, and properly cared for, at no point will you ever need to let an iron near your wooly jumper… definitely a plus.
Natural fibre: Merino wool comes from Merino Sheep who, each year, grow a new coat of wool making merino a natural fibre and also a renewable fabric. merino wool also decomposes in soil making it bio-degradable too.
Our yarn colour palette for our AW17 menswear
It is of highest importance to us that you have the ability to see how a Peregrine jumper or jacket is designed and made. We visit the factory once a week, often to make adjustments to new samples or to collect a batch of finished products and just check in with the team.
British manufacturing is often glamorised and portrayed to still be exactly as it was in the golden age or hay-days of the British textile industry. Alot of things have changed since then for worse and for better. We now have updated and more efficient machinery so that we can always ensure the highest level of quality as well as technical advancements that mean we can produce even more exciting and contemporary knit patterns.
Although a factory is generally not the most visually pleasing place (i.e a little untidy during busy times!) we are extremely proud of the British factory’s we work with and the story they tell. We are very lucky to be able to offer a completely transparent view of the production chain and wanted to share some with you some of the little nuances of daily factory life and the fantastic workers that make the garments you wear and love.
We are excited to announce a collaboration between Peregrine Clothing and Psychopomp, Bristol’ s first Micro-Distillery.
Psychopomp originated from a basement in Montpelier (almost next door to our showroom!) as a project of self-taught gin connoisseurs and distillers Danny and Liam. They have since expanded to a beautiful and satisfyingly organized distillery and bar in the heart of St Michael’s Hill.
From their headquarters they distribute their gorgeously heavy bottles to many of the independent bars and restaurants in Bristol and beyond with each customer receiving a personalized and unique blend specific to their brand.
After a nosey around the distillery we got down to business and asked the team at Psychopomp to let us know how to create the ultimate gin and tonic. We were supplied with a bottle of their classic blend, the Woden for ourselves (which is going down nicely on a Friday afternoon!) and a bottle which we will be offering as a give-away prize for you, our customers.
To create the perfect G+T of our dreams we used…
Details on how to enter our give-away will be announced over the next couple of days on our social platforms so stay tuned and have a lovely weekend!
Flavours and extracts all home-brewed – these guys really do know their stuff!
One for me..one for you..
The perfect Friday afternoon beverage
The Woden, a classic London dry gin with juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, cassia bark, fresh grapefruit zest and fennel seed
A pairing made in heaven!
Matching Peregrine Aran Knott jumpers for the team – a stylish and unconventional distilling uniform!
Click here to shop with Psychopomp
Earlier in the week, we had a chat with Jason Cristiano, founder of Manchester-based online retailer Aux Privé to discuss buying British, personal style rules and the Aux Privé SS17 lookbook shot in the heart of one of our favourite city’s.
Where did the name Aux Privé originate?
“I wanted a brand name that packed a bit of a punch but that also really meant something. ‘AUX’ is actually short for auxiliary, which has multiple meanings, but the meaning that stood out for me and for the brand I wanted to create was ‘..An organization allied with, but subsidiary to, a main body of restricted membership.’
I always saw the brand as a brand for people who were fashion forward and yearned for something more than shopping at many of the overly commercial retail and online outlets that flood the market.”
What do you stand for as a retailer?
“Aux Privé is a brand that stands for quality and craftsmanship in a world full of fast-paced and cheaply made clothing. We are a collection of independent and semi-commercial brands, including our own in-house brand, that support the idea of independent fashion rather than over-produced conglomerate fashion that has taken over the high street.
There is a shift in consumers wanting to purchase local, smaller brands and we want to be at the forefront of that concept. I personally always conceptualized the brand as an extended catalogue that our customer could depend on, relying on our expertise in cultivating brands with unique stories into carefully curated collections that they could mix and match pieces from.
Eventually I would like to see Aux Privé become a one-stop shop including lifestyle products, grooming, music and novelty/decor items. We have also positioned ourselves as a very British brand that supports other British and northern European brands, because I feel that this is very important and we are very proud of our heritage.
I initially launched the brand, on my own, as a web-only shop but we have currently been opening up pop-up shops around Manchester to further develop face to face relationships with our customers.”
What has been your Peregrine best-seller?
We did quite well with the Pentile wool coat from last season. It was a personal favourite of mine as well and I actually own one myself! It’s a real statement piece and classic.
What are your thoughts on buying British clothing?
“I think buying clothing made in the UK is extremely important. It supports the British economy and stimulates the workforce in the UK. Buying British brings back the sense of shopping local and a need for quality goods over cheaply made throw away products made over-seas.
It is also a statement that says we are proud of the craftsmanship and quality of materials that are produced in Britain. I always say it’s better to invest in one well-crafted local piece that purchase 10 pieces that will go out of fashion and probably won’t last a full year.”
What is the best styling advice you have given / received?
“In all honesty, I haven’t listened too much in advice people have given me. I have always had a natural sense of what works well and what doesn’t – especially when it comes to dressing myself. I’m a natural rebel as well so even though I do enjoy trends immensely and incorporating them into my wardrobe I always take my own spin on it.
Two things, however that have shaped the way I view styling was once someone told me that heavier set people should never wear prints or patterns because it makes them look bigger and doesn’t look flattering. I just don’t buy into that at all. There are ways to incorporate prints and patterns in the right shapes for your body and it depends on what you pair them with. Being a stockier guy myself (and the natural rebel in me) I made it a point to make wearing prints and patterns a signature part of my wardrobe for many years and I became quite known for it.
Something else I was once told was ‘who cares what everyone else is wearing if you look good and feel comfortable then you will naturally look fashionable’. That has always made a lot of sense to me.”
Tell us about the SS17 Aux Privé look-book
“To be honest, I always struggle with Spring/Summer. I just naturally prefer Autumn/Winter – there’s more choices and in England, where the sun doesn’t often make an appearance – more options in locations for photoshoots.
I never really know what sort of story to tell during Spring/Summer. Last season we went with a ‘reboot’ theme which represented the rebirth of Autumn/Winter style and also it was a reboot for the brand as well because we had many new brands, such as Peregrine come on board and I think we finally got our aesthetic spot on.
Spring/Summer I decided to continue off of that and literally spring forward, as progression and rejuvenation in another season passing. Aux Privé has grown loads in the past year and we are coming up on our one year birthday in July. I am just happy to keep going and I guess the lookbook reflects that.
I always try to mix and match pieces from the various brands we stock when styling for the shoots keeping in line with the theme of supplying curated collections.”
The second Peregrine Spring collection explores classic, British summer-time staples redefined in a palette of rich navy and warm blues. Think sporty, streamlined and something to protect you from the inevitable April Showers!
The newest member of the Peregrine ‘shirt’ family has a distinctly premium feel. The garment has been carefully designed to be completely seamless for a smarter silhouette and extra comfort. The collar is hand linked using the tubular technique which again is used to completely eradicate any trace of a seam so you could practically wear these inside-out!
We have also updated our branding adding a subtle fabric tab on the hem of the garment bearing the Peregrine Falcon silouette logo. Clean and simple.
Without a doubt the Bexley has for many years been our bestseller and most-loved jacket by customers and retailers alike. The jacket is a real every-season winner as the lack of padding means there is plenty of room for layering but the shell remains completely waterproof.
This year we present the Spring Bexley. Crafted from Millerain waxed cotton in ‘Carlyle’; ” A classic raincoat fabric, comprising of two lightweight cotton twill layers bonded together with a durable water repellent finish.” The jacket has a beautifully matte finish and the rich Navy adds depth and seasonality.
Our Spring capsule ranges are available to shop now
Just over two months ago, Keith contacted us through Instagram to introduce himself as a photographer, explorer and British clothing enthusiast. He placed a few orders with us and, upon receiving them, would send us stunning photos of him and his wife Jen exploring the most incredible landscapes wearing our Peregrine knits and jackets.
We love building relationships with our customers and seeing how and where the clothes you buy are worn. It would always brighten a Monday morning to see Keith’s photos that day roaming a desolate beach in his Simpson Jumper or sheltering from huge waterfalls in his All Terrain Jacket so we decided to ask him a few questions.
What do you love most about the Scottish highlands?
I was born in the Highlands but have lived and traveled overseas, the Highlands keep pulling me “home”.
The ever changing light, the ancient history, the highland people, the amazing seasonal colours, the varied and vast terrain. Mostof all I love the freedom! Scotland has fantastic “right to roam” laws which lets us utilize our landscape without restriction……as long as we respect our landscape and landowners requests!
How did you get into photography?
As a child (before digital photography) I used to always play around with an old film camera…you’d shoot a roll of film, wait a week to get them developed and find out most of them were rubbish! Then digital cameras came out and I went traveling and spent a lot of time doing underwater photography which really ignited my passion. Now with Instagram the quality of photography and photographers is amazing and truly inspiring which again has spurned me to capture more great images.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Spending more time exploring the Highlands with my Family and capturing the moments!
How did you hear of Peregrine?
I spotted the brand on Instagram and thought.. that’s cool…then checked out google to find nothing but British goodness and cool quality Product!
What makes buying British Clothing so special?
Having spent lots of money on expensive clothing only to find out that they are made in the far east and fall to bits pretty quickly and made with low quality fabric, I decided that I wanted Quality Clothing made locally and supporting a UK workforce.
The quality of the clothing and fabric is AMAZING…as soon as you take it out of the packaging you can feel and see the quality. It’s just a pleasure to wear and looks fantastic.
It’s even more satisfying that its keeping money and jobs in the UK and supporting a family business that’s generations old and steeped with history! Even the Millerain Cotton Material for the Jacket comes from the UK and again the company is generations old. With Brexit and wild currency fluctuation, buying British is the way to go both for quality and proper value! Just do it.
A big thank you to Keith and family for representing the brand so well – have a little scroll to see the pictures!
Keith wears the All Terrain Jacket in Navy (above) and the Simpson Jumper in Navy (below)
Jen wears the Funnel Neck Jumper in Orange
