Where anything goes

Before my first time around the ‘Town of Camden’ aka Camden over fifteen years ago, my expectations were built up to be the highest. The neighbourhood had been portrayed to me as a true assortment of styles, shop windows with rather large-scale figures hooked on the facades, street food stalls in abundance, clothing stores of every sort, pubs, cafes, genuine people... in short, an utterly good vibe!

Define it as ‘Little London’ within London viz. Little Venice in the West or Little Portugal near Stockwell? Because Camden is a city unto itself, more than any other area and it couldn’t simply be considered a neighbourhood no matter how much it’s become an extension of the greater capital. A charismatic place with the greatest number of people of different styles, cultures, and ethnicities. You’d find contrasts every direction you look towards and it is most certainly where individuality, fashion independence and the punk subculture flourished and had the appropriate freedom to evolve further. It is the birthplace of the British alternative rock and goth as well as the site of one of the most famous street markets in the world. Genuinely, a pleasant ‘melting pot’, but Camden is so much more than its Stables Market. It is entire history and alternative life, it is extravagance and cosmopolitanism, it is multiculturalism and it is tradition.

Before it began to take shape as an urban neighbourhood at the end of the 18th century, Camden was a land of farmland that was fed to brawls and outlaws who were executed by hanging. More than one would gestate their binge in the first two inns of their time, still standing: The Mother Red Cap and The Southampton, today converted into pubs like The World’s End and Edwards, respectively. The arrival of the railroad and thus the Euston station and the first railway line in 1837, were the great triggers for the transformation of Camden from an agrarian area to a fully urban neighbourhood. It is time for industrialization, Irish immigration, and commerce and even recreation in hostess premises and variety venues. The great Charles Dickens who, in his Bayham Street refuge, shaped Camden in his head, which he later embodied in his immortal Oliver Twist.

The Stables Market, one of the oldest and coolest markets to be in London where you will find an endless number of shops wandering in an architectonic labyrinth-like marvel, the converted old London stables and a horse hospital. You will come across the entrance to the market guarded by two gigantic horses that will give way to an underworld of crowded little shops built on and in the old stables. “Stable shopping” is undoubtedly what you come to Camden for! It entails losing your mind among vintage clothes, pop T-shirts, antiques, trinkets, punk fashion, and anything that is likely to be for sale in one of the most famous markets in the world. Camden houses are not the most architecturally exquisite overall, but their appeal lies in the colour and above all, if we spoke of the stores, at least on the main road, the huge objects that adorn their facades. Slippers, mannequins, dragons, piercing rings, skulls... you name it. Each building defines itself and defines the content of its stores. As a good alternative rock capital, Camden Town has and must have a musical program that is up to the task. Legendary venues such as Koko’s, Proud Camden or the Roundhouse, have hosted some of the most badass bands. But also, pubs like Dublin Castle and places like The Blues Kitchen are known for their memorable jam sessions. Soul (revival) diva Amy Winehouse was found dead in her Camden Town apartment in July 2011. Days before, she had taken the stage of the mythical The Roundhouse with her goddaughter. Today she already has her statue in the stables.

As for my outfit, I am wearing a black blazer, belted around the waist and I have added a little skull pin on the lapel. Under layers are a white shirt and a black narrow tie in contrast to the beige colour check joggers thus breaking sobriety adding some colour and print to the outfit making it a little more relaxed with a twist of punk reference. Further down on the shoe side, you’re seeing classic brogues with a buckle and an elastic, navy bundle holding down the extra-long yellow laces that I have added from an older, unused pair of boots. I love how fun the footwear is in this way but still elevated. I’ve also added some rock-and-roll vibe to this with my black biker matching the similar style leather gloves, perfect for this time of the year.