If you’re taking a walk through the discombobulated stalls along Portobello Road and down into Golborne Market but after a little more high-end purchase, consider Ally Capellino. After opening a Shoreditch premises in 2005, the label opened a new store in West London in 2011, and it’s popularity keep increasing. 

 

Having been set up in the 1980’s by Middlesex Polytechnic graduates, Allison Lloyd and her partner, Jonathan Platt, Ally Capellino was launched. After receiving critical acclaim with their Moscow Olympic Games collection, the designer brand seemed to go from strength to strength, with them signing a licensing agreement with the GCO company in Japan. However, in July 1999, the company went into liquidation. 

 

Rebooting the company was definitely a good move for Allison Lloyd, who took sole ownership of the brand, deciding to shift her focus to the bags. Fast-forward to 2014 and Ally Capellino’s range of accessories, from canvas bags to leather belts, have captured the hearts of loyal followers worldwide.

 

Nestled on the corner of Portobello and Golborne Road, the store stocks their trademark pieces that have inspired collaborations with international corporations such as Apple, as well as a partnership with the Ace Hotel. With their West London premises having been opened in 2011, it is apparent that her enthusiasts have definitely been drawn to the area.

 

Unlike many of the stalls along the markets, the independent British label focuses solely on the practicality of their items, ensuring that their quality and timelessness comes before the later trends. It’s the small details such as the bridle leather used to their Kamal Key Lanyards as well as the easy-to-clean nylon lining in their Simon British waxed cotton wash bag.

 

Naturally, Ally Capellino is for those with a higher budget than the average bargain hunter along Golborne Road, with their bags averaging at around £200 a piece, but if you’re after a more special purchase with a longer shelf life than the market alternatives, consider stopping by.

 

 

Jessica Ashby