THE JOURNAL

Last week, we launched the second annual instalment of our Small World capsule collection, which champions craft, community and local artisans from around the globe. You may already have seen items such as a jacket made from upcycled rugs, delicate lapis lazuli bracelets and tonnes of embroidery, but just in case you need more reasons to peruse this carefully curated collection, we have 22. See below, 22 excellent products from Small World that will make you look and feel good this summer.
01.
The 11.11/Eleven Eleven patchwork blazer

We’re trying to think up a term that describes a piece of clothing that is simultaneously camouflaged and unapologetically loud. 11.11/eleven eleven caught our eye with its bandhani and block-printing techniques. This inconspicuously conspicuous blue jacket is no different.
02.
The Adish tassel hoodie

03.
The Alexandra Llewellyn backgammon set

Some men need items of clothing to fill holes in their wardrobe or their soul. For other men, everything is just so and they simply require some peace and quiet to play parlour games and smoke cigars. If this is you, look no further.
04.
The Blackhorse Lane Ateliers jeans

Blackhorse Lane Ateliers has an incredibly simple but reassuring mission: to ensure the jeans it makes last a lifetime. Not only is this great for us, it is great for our planet, too, and chimes with the brand’s “think global, act local” philosophy. You can understand, then, why we’re suggesting you invest in a pair.
05.
The Carleen one-of-a-kind gilet

06.
The Clothsurgeon upholstered shorts

London-based Clothsurgeon takes fabrics from brands including Loro Piana and Supreme and transforms them into seriously impressive designs, which it terms “bespoke streetwear”. These drawstring shorts are crafted from a worsted wool fabric that Raf Simons originally designed for the homeware brand Kvadrat. Fancy.
07.
The Corridor space-dyed knit

08.
The Cottle time-honoured shirt

If you like your clothing imbued with history, COTTLE is a name you should know. It produces its clothing in a 130-year old factory in Kojima, Japan, where the designers put a focus on age-old sewing and textile techniques. This shirt was woven on a garaboki, a loom invented by a Japanese Buddhist priest in 1873.
09.
The De Bonne Facture embroidered linen overshirt

Overshirts are already one of the most versatile pieces in a man’s wardrobe. This example by De Bonne Facture is fashioned from linen, which, as well as helping to keep you cool in the heat, comes with extra eco kudos (it requires far less water to produce than other fibres). We’re all over the floral embroidery, which, if not all over the chest here is certainly the focal point.
10.
The Elhanati gold hessonite necklace

This handsome gold necklace goes by the name Lunar, but its inspiration is far more terrestrial. Its maker, Ms Orit Elhanati, draws on her memories of Tel Aviv, but also nods to “the sea, the clean lines of the desert, rocks and the rawness”. Handcrafted, with a hessonite stone in a hammered gold setting, considerable care went into making this piece and ensuring that the highest social and environmental standards were met. One to bring into your orbit.
11.
The 18ct gold Fernando Jorge bracelet

You’re probably already lost in the dreamy lapis lazuli stones set in 18ct gold. The oblong slabs of deep blue certainly catch the eye. The fact it meets the standards of our Craftsmanship Code also gives peace of mind. And while practicality is not necessarily the first consideration when you’re buying fine jewellery, it’s worth noting that this remarkable piece can be fastened with one hand.
12.
The recycled gold Healers Fine Jewelry ring

As the name suggests, aquamarine has nautical connections. The colour shimmers like water, but more than that, the gem has a long association with the ocean. The Ancient Romans believed it offered protection to sailors. We can’t guarantee that Healers Fine Jewelry’s ring, which is made to be worn on the little finger, will safeguard seafarers, but it is cast from recycled gold, so it does its bit for the planet. And that’s a pinkie promise.
13.
The traditional Japan Best bathroom set

You could argue that bathing is a ritual in all cultures. However, it is certainly true to say that it takes on a deep meaning in Japan, where drawing a bath is akin to meditation. This bathroom set from Japan Best, the showcase brand for some of the nation’s most noteworthy craftsmen, taps in to that. It includes a soap tray, stool and two pails, fashioned from honey-toned hinoki cypress wood, with copper detailing.
14.
The Karu Research hand-embroidered shorts

Karu Research’s shorts draw inspiration from traditional Indian shisha techniques, a type of embroidery whereby a garment is embellished using small pieces of mirrored glass. These shorts are upcycled from cuts of vintage kantha quilts, which means no two pairs are the same.
15.
The King Kennedy Rugs patchwork chore jacket

Mr Mikael Kennedy began collecting carpets and selling them from the boot of his car in New York City in 2009. His fascination with rugs didn’t stop there. It served as the inspiration for his burgeoning ready-to-wear collections. Part of the latest line-up, this one-of-50 chore jacket is patchworked from upcycled wool and woven in an antique Caucasian jacquard pattern from the 1800s.
16.
The La Paz printed shirt

17.
The Lady White Co essential T-shirt

You can never have too many T-shirts, especially if they’re as well made as Lady White Co’s. The Los Angeles-based label swears by empowering local communities. Its collections are made using custom jerseys and fleeces produced by family-owned factories within 10 miles from its design headquarters.
18.
The Obida print

Looking for a jaunty piece of artwork to add to your collection? Why not this print from Obida, a shop and art gallery based in Lagos, Nigeria. The exclusive collection for Small World includes clothing and art and this print from Nigerian artist and filmmaker Mr Abba Makama is a standout. It’s part of a series called “Lonely Hearts Club”, which reimagines a clan of icons. This one depicts Ms Grace Jones and deserves a place on your wall.
19.
The Post-Imperial orange shirt

It wouldn’t be summer without a mood-boosting top to accompany your daily activities. This Lagos orange-striped cotton shirt by Post-Imperial, crafted by local artisans in Nigeria using traditional Yoruba hand-dyeing techniques, will look great unbuttoned over a plain white T-shirt or tank top.
20.
The Space Available recycled meditation chair

Have you started meditating? You might need a chair for that. Even if you haven’t, this meditation chair by Bali-based brand Space Available would be a great addition to your self-care corner. Made from 100 per cent plastic waste from landfill and rivers and crafted by master weaver Mr Nano Uhero, no two chairs are the same. You’ll be meditating on an upcycled work of art – it can’t get more inspiring than that.
21.
The Stòffa cashmere polo shirt

How better to embrace a summer breeze than by wearing a cashmere polo shirt? This wheat-yellow number by Stòffa is yearning for that Hamptons beach and will add a cheerful pop of colour to your wardrobe stables. Plus, it’s Good Cashmere Standard-certified, which means the brand works to improve the welfare of cashmere goats, their farmers and the environment.
22.
The gold Lauren Rubinski pendant necklace

Yellow gold, to the uninitiated, may feel a bit flashy. But actually, it’s classic. Think of the kings and queens of yore – it was all about the yellow gold. Ms Lauren Rubinski, who is perhaps most well known for her candy-necklace-like enamel bead bracelets, makes modern gold jewellery fit for a king, and you. This long-link chain plus pendant combo is a modern take on a classic heavy chain. And the bonus is that it’s not heavy. Rubinski’s specialty is an old method of gold casting which results in delightfully light pieces so you can wear it comfortably even if you’re not used to wearing jewellery.