The Irwin Shawl Collar Cardigan

Our latest shawl collar cardigan arrived in a couple of weeks ago and I have just got round to posting this piece (an awful lot is happening behind the scenes at Albam, more of that later). We spent the day at one of our knitwear factories working on the finishing touches to the AW10 range and I took these pics of the machine that has just created our Irwin Shawl Collar Cardi.

Seeing one of the ladies knit this piece is something of a wonder. Due to the quality of the yarn and the tension we have wanted to give the piece it has to be knitted on a hand machine rather than a power machine. What this ultimately means is you get a lot of work for your money and if I am honest much more than the value of the garment due to the time and skill it takes to make one piece. They are selling super quickly, and I know we dropped off a small number of the navy version to Oi Polloi last week, of which they only have sizes 1 and 2 remaining.

A great piece of knitwear and something that marks the start of a new level of input for Albam,

Dieter Rams - London Design Museum

A number of you will have probably seen this exhibition already, some in Tokyo and the others over here in London. I have just managed to get in before the exhibition closes and I wasn't disappointed. Dieter Rams and his body of work for Braun and Vitsoe is exceptional and doesn't need introduction from me. Go and see for yourself, the colours, the shapes, THE PRODUCTS! If you can't get there then get the books!

Store updates - Spitalfields store

This last week we have made a few changes to the store over at Spitalfields. It has always felt like we stopped working as we opened the door to the store. In reality we like to see how the space works before we make plans. Customer comments and recommendations shape what we do and has culminated in the developments to this store. We have added a new range of magazines and books from publishers - Nieves, Qompendium, Farewell, Gottlund Verlag, Lines & Shapes and these complement our compact selection of publications (Inventory, Moncole, Apartamento)

We have a new accessories section coming in about 4 weeks so there is a fair bit still to be done. The pictures show it as a Work in Progress so drop by and take a look for yourself.

438 Field Jackt - instore in March/April

When the weather decides that it doesn't want to deliver fresh snow overnight as it has done this weekend we will start to deliver our styles that are suitable for the weather. We are reckoning that March will signal a slight change in the weather, still a fresh wind in the British air but with clear bright skies.

The change in the season requires a new outerwear piece. Our showerproof canvas field jacket may be the jacket for this time. Layered over our Irwin Shawl collar cardigan (cotton version of AW09) and a chambray shirt and you might just be set. Leather trims and reinforcing details add some refined features to a weekend style. Crafted in Manchester it will be available in Navy and Olive (£tbc)

Snow on the ground and Spring in production

The extended Christmas break is now coming to an end and it is back to work. Then the snow comes! The UK isn't best suited to a change in weather conditions and it has scuppered a number of plans for people this last week.

After getting to one of our factories the other day to arrange fabrics and trims, we are on the road to the next drop of products, the cold weather is looking likely to stay for the time being and there always seems to be a little sting in the tail around February so keep the eyes peeled for some bargains, some new items and remember to layer up!

Mountaineer Chino restock - they are being washed.

After the short run of Mountaineer Chino we received about 4 weeks ago, we have another delivery due in for the first week in January. This is another short run so email us at info @ albamclothing . com to be notified when they drop in store and online.

Festive season opening times

Another year nearly over, but first there is Christmas to go at!

We are open right up to the wire for those of you who need some more presents and then from the 27th for those that can't wait to get back in!

Rowley Hat restock

The first drop of these flew out. We have restocked a handful of each for Christmas.

Alta Dena landed today!

We have just received the first delivery of our Alta Dena Works Backpacks! To start with we have the Black/Oakleaf and the Black/Black. Catch them while you can or get one on reserve in store.

INVENTORY - Issue 1

For those that read the blog you are probably reading the online magazine INVENTORY (www.inventorymagazine.com).

We had Simon from said magazine bring round the first issue the other day and it is cracking. For a first issue from a surprisingly young team it really has hit it right. Available instore and online for those wanting a copy. At the moment you have to click through the site to find it as the link hasn't been set up. Keep searching through the accessories and you will find it.

If you are in London then just drop in the store or you can get hold of them at Fernandez & Wells, Garbstore, Oliver Spencer in London.

As there are only 5000 printed worldwide it is worth the quick pick up.