Stockist: Albam

01

Images

—01. Shopping bags behind the counter at the Spitalfields shop.

Words

Albam has been one of the biggest supporters and sellers of our magazine and it's been great to work with the company over the last year. While they've helped spread our product, they have also grown at a tremendous rate themselves over the last 12 months. Since I met James and the crew last summer, they've added two more shops and a number of new products. On my recent visit to London I was able to see the Spitalfields shop and quite liked the new space. I would have to say it's my favorite Albam shop of the three locations and it was nice to see the increasingly nice selection of print alongside the increasingly good offering of soft goods.

&mdashAlbam

Comments

[chuck]

I had fun on there on my last visit to London.

[Thom]

Albam - nice brand and all that, but the product has stood still in the last couple of years as they've cashed in and opened the new shops. New and interesting stuff needed if they're going to last, in my opinion...

[Fela]

Agreed, and for all the fuss the product isn't that great. pretty pedestrian really. At least they don't ruin things with gimmicky details (ehum... Folk).

[Liam]

I second the view of Thom. It feels a bit like they'v e found the formulae that sells well and yet still lets them remain slightly under the radar, so they're just resting on their laurels. It's no direct criticism of the guys themselves as it happens to a vast number of brands regardless of size, but due to the internet and the amount of clothing the average consumer comes into contact with daily, any brand that appears to be standing still can suddenly fall away. But I hope this doesn't happen, as I've got great experience with the store and their clothes and in a slight contradiction, I'm very happy for the guys, as the rapid expansion the brand has experienced is fully justified.

[Ryan Willms]

I don't think Albam will fall away - they were the first to admit the growth this year was a bit overwhelming and took a toll on the creative side of the actual clothing. After speaking with James, I think the brand will continue to move forwards while still providing very accessible and wearable clothing to a wide variety of people.

[peter]

Albam is England's answer to J. Crew, or will become that.

[markroyes@yahoo.co.uk]

I think they should just keep doing what they have been doing well for a while now and thats creating good quality affordable basics that look good.
Not too many lines but well thought out ones.

[Tom]

Albam, for me, is one of those brands that I like as a picture, but I can't quite put my finger on anything specific. I liked the comment above about J. Crew - and in many ways I agree!

[pr]

The clothing would be a lot more wearable if it fitted properly, their sizing is way off as well.

[Lineage of Influence]

I find Albam's fit to be perfect, they're one of the few brands out there that actually make decent sized clothes and T-shirts that are the actual size they say they are.

What they do they do really well, which is why they've been able to expand at such a rapid rate. They also benefit from having great people who work in all of the shops - I pop in for a chat with them as much as I do to buy stuff. Also they are starting to push forward again - the amazing Ventile jacket they did recently for instance, plus things in the pipeline that should be great.

All in all they're a real credit to the UK's menswear scene in my opinion.

[Rob]

I am a long time supporter of Albam since the early days. I do think their creative side is waning slightly however most of the pieces that I have bought have been notable for the quality of construction first and design second.

[iain]

i totally agree with lineage of influence,it seems everyone who works for albam are really nice to deal with especially dave whos a really sound bloke
i think their pricing is really on the mark,
every albam item i buy fits as it should
having oipolloi sell your clothing,the 1 and only outlet other than themselves shows they must be doing it something right

[Jordan]

Only visited Albam a few times but both times I have enjoyed what they have to offer in terms of shirting and magazines. Although I don't think it's what they want, Albam becoming England's J.Crew wouldn't even be much of a bad thing, England needs a store such as J.Crew desperately, the most similar shop in terms of product and stature is Gap in my opinion!

[Sauvignon]

I don't expect albam to do anything really creative. The guys have been doing their best in making simple modern clothing for anybody who wants to look classic and good. The renowed classic brands that have achieved this over the years haven't created anything new every 6 months but have refined basics year after year while adding a few necessary pieces to their offer when they felt the need to. Building a classic brand is a slow process.

Take EG, they try to be more creative than before, using funky fabrics and slimming down the silhouettes. They seem to catch up really well with the fashion crowd (looking at where they are stocked) but I would not define them now as a somewhat classic brand like I used to in the past.