All Saints (London, UK)

A few years ago during a trip to the UK when I was still relatively unfamiliar with some of the British high street stores (having not visited the country for several years), my then boyfriend (now hubby) excitedly told me he had found a place that stocked items resembling what Keanu Reeves could be seen wearing in 'The Matrix'. For a minute I was slightly concerned, visions of latex suits and clip-on sunglasses swirling through my brain. He then clarified that he was referring to the more distressed loose-fitted sweaters the 'Neo' character was sporting when he wasn't out and about fighting evil villains. I was intrigued, but figured the store would probably only feature one or two such items. I was very very wrong and have been a fan ever since.

Current All Saints campaign (images: All Saints)

All Saints might be high street, but if you didn't know better - and during my first visit I actually thought it was an independent boutique - you would think you just discovered another avant-garde label. The brand was founded by its original designer Stuart Trevor in 1994 initially only catering to menswear. Four years later the first women's collection followed and immediately garnered a strong fan base among style leaders who loved the draped jerseys, sexy structured tailoring and muted dark colors. According to Trevor "We were designing clothes that we wanted to wear and that we could not buy anywhere else. We became designers’ designers, all of the kids who dreamt of being cool fashion designers decided they were going to wear something that stood out from the crowd. People wanted something different.”

Even though Trevor ended up selling the company to retail entrepreneur Kevin Stanford in 2005, the clothing and accessories still remain unique and very cool. One could describe the range as grunge gone glam. Most items are either distressed, torn/ripped, asymmetrical or tailored in such a unique way, they're bound to stand out. If you're a fan of color, this isn't the brand for you. All clothes are either black or come in dark colors and neutrals. The beauty of the pieces lie in the details though: if it's not the fine draping or sheer chiffon fabrics, it's usually the intricate beading, fine embroidery or bold studding that will make each item not only wearable but in some cases even suitable for the red carpet.

The store design itself is what makes All Saints a true experience though. I decided to head to the main store in the East End, but rest assured that all boutiques have the same feel. 'Spitalfields' tends to be added to the All Saints brand name to remind people of it's roots - even though All Saints was derived from a street name in Notting Hill. The interior is every bit as alternative as the clothes: exposed brick walls, carefully aged wooden floorboards and furniture combined with lots of dark steel and iron give the store a very industrial feel. Headless mannequins hang from solid metal chains in the shop window and throughout the store, while select items are draped from hooks instead of clothes hangers. All Saints used to feature a lot of religious iconography (the most famous one being the Jesus statues) but have toned it down a little, I'm assuming due to the outcry that resulted the previous times.

If you do find something you like, my advice is to buy it right then and there. Even though I like to wait for sales and nothing is really that cheap (but therefore well-made), All Saints is one of those places people don't mind paying the full price for and regular sizes (anything that isn't the smallest or largest size) of more popular items tend to sell out fast. I spotted the softest studded leather jacket, which I would have loved to try on, but was no longer available in my size. I also remember that last year's parachute dress sold out instantly and to this day, my hubby still regrets not having bought that 'Neo' sweater.

If you want something on-trend, no worries - you'll find everything from the jumpsuit to harem trousers in the current collection. The great thing about this brand is that it won't look like another carbon copy of a high-end designer's runway collection. Even the printed tank tops are unique, so nothing you find here will resemble a knock-off which is something too many other retail giants seem to be doing these days.

By the way, don't be intimidated by the changing rooms even if they look like prison cells. They are actually quite roomy and SA's are happy to help you with the styling. You might want to free at least an hour for browsing or trying on clothes as well. Because some pieces are uniquely constructed, they aren't always the easiest to try on. I found a cool silk dress with a slightly goth vibe I spent 10 minutes trying to get on, then realized it was the wrong way round. For the next 10 minutes, I then attempted to fasten all the hooks and zippers until I finally had it on. It looked great, but was a bit too short, which was a shame because I would have preferred to leave it on instead of trying to maneuver out of it again. Thankfully an SA was there to help.

One thing I did notice was that All Saints has branched out into homeware. I only saw a few cushions and candles, but I was told they also stocked wallpaper and blankets, which is probably enough to give your home an All Saints feel if the clothes aren't enough. I would also like to point out that the accessories are well worth looking at. The majority of the shoes consist of slouchy boots and gladiator sandals, while the handbags are made of the softest leather and feature studs, fringes or buckles.

This brand might be a bit too rock 'n' roll for some, but I for one am glad that there's a high street retailer out there who's still producing unique, innovative pieces you won't find elsewhere. Unfortunately most stores are located in the UK, with a few select outlets in other European cities. The good news is that many items can be purchased directly from their website and will be delivered worldwide, so definitely take a look if you get the chance.

Leather Jackets by All Saints
Heels by All Saints

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Address: Jacks Place, 114 Commercial Street, London E1 6NF
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 9:30-20:00, Sun: 11:00-19:00
All Saints Homepage and Online Shop