NEWSLETTER 06
June 2024: 24 hours in Annecy, our Margate tips and French woven belts for summer.
STYLE: L’AIGLON WOVEN BELTS
White summer dressing usually includes linen, shorts, and hints of raffia, you don’t often see a belt make the summer fit lists. In fact, heavier leather belts can find themselves going into semi-retirement during this time of year, leaving a bit of a gap in our wardrobe. Enter l’Aiglon, who have been making belts since 1889. We both fell in love with their woven belts in all colours of the rainbow spotted last summer at the excellent Beige Habilleur in Paris - the perfect solution to a summer cinch.
And, if you enjoy a bit of fashion history, here it is: At the end of the 19th century, M. François Bayon, a military tailor, invented an invisible corset that enhanced the silhouettes of French soldiers. This innovative woven belt was a great success and led Bayon, a dedicated Bonapartist, to establish his own brand. He named it L’Aiglon (“eaglet”), in homage to Napoleon II, the son of Napoleon I; drawing inspiration from Victor Hugo's poems. The belts are still proudly made in France; and the brand was also among the first French brands to export goods to Japan.
KITCHEN: SEAFOOD IN MARGATE
Last weekend we headed to the English seaside for a day of wine appreciation. It was the first edition of Low Margate, a celebration of low-intervention wines bringing winemakers and importers from across the UK and Europe to Margate.
Making our way through tasting rooms across the old town, we sampled natural wines from up and down the UK (not just England, but Welsh wine even!) and many Old Continent favourites. A tipsy affair to say the least, and buckets of fun.
We started with a seafood fest at the impeccable Dory’s, featuring raw bream served with orange and chili; and a torch-burned hake with samphire. The day was closed at Sargasso across the harbour, where the squid sandwich with aioli stole the show and helped soak up some the litres of wine we had consumed earlier in the day.
ART: TKE Studios
If we’ve convinced you to satisfy your seafood craving with a trip to Margate, be sure to visit TKE Studios for their newest installation.
‘Tears: The Final Show’ opens this weekend, until September 30th. TKE Studios was established by artist Tracy Emin who purchased the former Edwardian bathhouse, mortuary, and children’s nursery in November 2021. She has since refurbished and renovated the entire site, transforming it into a space for artist residencies, studios, and exhibitions.
TRAVEL: 24 HOURS IN ANNECY
Earlier this month, we travelled to Annecy to visit with Nils’ grandparents who have been living in the town since the 80s. Not to sound like a pollyanna, but there is truly nothing quite like fresh mountain air and a lake view.
While we usually happily tuck into many home cooked meals while we are there, we have clocked over the years a few favourite spots that we thought we would share if you find yourself in town.
Eat & Drink
Midget - Wine bar and wine shop with tasty snacks.
Galopin - Restaurant and wine bar but with an eco twist. Also, a new French word on this trip for G.
Bloomer - Again for the natural wine crowd with nice interior and sliding doors in the summer.
Les Baigneurs - Café / bistrot for breakfast or light lunch.
Marmillon - Brioche.aux.pralines. C’est parti!
Coffee
Hiatus - Specialty coffee in the old town, with good terrace.
Le Cabanon - The most perfect place to end a long run around the lake. Relaxed bar/café with lake view and pétanque pitch. Start your day with a coffee here and come back in the evening for a sunset drink.
Shopping
St Germain - Good menswear selection.
La Bouchonnerie - This shop always hits our wine brief with great recommendations from the staff from regional Savoy wines to some from further afield for every occasion.