The sun is not as shy lately making the colours sprout. The days are now longer and the temperature, although still fluctuating, seems to be towards a sprint for the uphill. The winter may not be far gone, but we are, at least by the calendar, in Spring already. Now, if something distinguishes this season, that is flowers, and the most popular place for all green everything in London for centuries has par excellence been the flower market of Covent Garden. The area, today, is one of the most touristic and picturesque areas of the city. It is known for its many outdoor cafés, shops, stalls and street performers that would try anything to catch your attention making the stroll more pleasant for the passers-by. Originally, the land where Covent Garden is situated was known as the convent garden, a farmland where vegetables were harvested in order to feed the monks of the nearby St Peter's Convent in Westminster. In 1540, the lands were confiscated by King Henry VIII and ceded to the first Earl of Bedford, John Baron Russell. The project, unprecedented by then in the city, was presented in 1631, highlighting especially its piazza-esque layout which dragged inspiration from the Central Market in Livorno, Italy and the Place des Vosges in Paris. Its avant-garde urban approach is considered to be the birth of modern London urbanism. During the year of the Great Fire of London many merchants who saw their businesses destroyed, moved to Covent Garden, occupying almost the entire square. In 1830, a building was built in the centre to house a market and decades later the famous flower market was added. The aristocracy was moving to the new neighbourhoods of Soho and Mayfair and the homes were occupied by writers, artists and journalists who usually met in the bars and cafes of the area, which made Covent Garden to be one of the most bohemian places in London.
Until long after the First World War, the market was the true cultural and financial centre of the city. In 1955, the appearance of the automobile, led to the creation of the company Covent Garden Market Building Inc., a company that reformed its structure, replacing the old Market building with a new one, consisting of four floors and an area on the main floor for the traditional market. By law in 1966, the former Covent Garden flower, fruit and vegetable market was moved to a new location in Nine Elms, Vauxhall, across the river. Eight years later the adjacent land, owned by the Covent Garden Market Authority, was purchased by the Greater London Council and the Department of Environment. The change of ownership prompted its new remodelling, including numerous restaurants and cafés, shops and market stalls, mainly frequented by tourists.
Needless to say how Covent Garden continues to be a neighbourhood as special as it is lively at any time of the day to date. A favourite place for tourists and locals, it allows both to enjoy the fashionable shops off Floral Street and the small artisans installed under their metal tents. It goes without saying that it’s a must to taste a good coffee on one of its terraces while listening to a piece of classical music by a quartet. On Thursdays, a fare of homemade food, sweets and cakes is still held in the same place. Easily accessible being right on one of its corners to visit stands the London Transport Museum or alternatively one may attend a performance at the Royal Opera House. In 2007, with the intention of recovering Covent Garden to its roots being London's big ol’larder, Britain's first fresh-produced food night market was established, where you can find more than 35 varieties.
I am wearing a bottle-green jacket with removable fur on the lapel. I am wearing that with a V-neck ivory sweater and baby-blue shirt with a knitted tie in navy. There goes the bottom which I went for camel-colour pleated trousers with matching leather belt. The plain socks go perfectly with the rest of the look and wanting to give a fun and original touch to the look I paired two different colour brogues. I wore these old blue and red brogues with their right odds a million times, but I love the way they look together mixed up. Coming to the pouch, this is a very special one that I am carrying, as it has been designed and handmade exclusively for me. The print depicts the painting of King Ferdinand II the Catholic confirming the ‘Fueros’ of Biscay in Guernica, in 1476. The king’s face has been replaced with mine topped by a big, bold ‘LORD’ referring to an old, inside joke between me and my friends. Green tartan gloves to complete the outfit; a print I love and is just the perfect accessory for the last chilly days of winter.
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