Autumn has officially hit in London, the season where us city dwellers must dress for Baltic mornings, mild afternoons and sticky TfL commutes, all in one fit. While we navigate our AW23 wardrobes, we caught up with the team on their top picks of the season - plus their current playlists, London hot-spots and the brands they can't get enough of.
HARRY
Occupation: Director and Founder
Star sign: Libra
Life motto: Trends come and go but htown is forever
What’s the best thing about living in London?
The cheap rent?
What brands are you currently loving?
Y/Project, Guess USA, EYTYS
Talk us through your fave AW23 piece.
I love the Diesel Mouth Print top. It’s giving Eurotrash.
"Trends come and go but htown is forever." 💋
LOLA
Occupation: Store Assistant
Star sign: Sagittarius
Death row meal: I need a shitmix of everything. 1 bonito omusubi and 1 sour plum omusubi, fish kari laksa with roti, wakame seaweed salad, crispy yellowtail rolls, ackee and saltfish with rice and peas and plantain, a chicken roast dinner with a vat of gravy, fish tacos, mango sticky rice and champurrado sorbet. I'd also get drunk off mezcalitas :)
What are you listening to at the moment?
I'm listening to a lot of Jamiroquai at the moment, and old Timbaland. Also Lucy Pearl's self titled album and Kelela's Raven. ALSO this one Destin Conrad song called 'Out of Control' has been on repeat.
What’s the best thing about living in London?
Being near family and friends - I grew up here - the convenience of everything being on your doorstep and the freedom to express yourself how you choose.
What brands are you currently loving?
I'm loving Y/Project, Sharkkini, Sam Pomeroy, Alaïa, Masha Popova and Ap0cene. I feel like all of these brands have taken staples and elevated them in some way; they're elegant, fun, sexy and wearable.
"I'm loving Y/Project, Sharkkini, Sam Pomeroy, Alaïa, Masha Popova and Ap0cene."
DILLON
Occupation: Store Assistant
Star sign: Virgo
Life motto: Let it go, babe.
What are you listening to at the moment?
I’m hardcore vibing with the sound of Baraka, the duo project of French singer/DJ: Hawa Sarita and DJ/producer Cristofeu. The sugar coated house-trance crossover in their music has been the perfect relief for my yearly adjustment (denial) to the seasons changing.
Name your top 3 London venues.
Well, on the not-so-unlikely chance, you might spot me somewhere in the hazy fog of London’s electronic music haven, Fold. When my social batteries are low, be sure to catch me at Portuguese Love Affair cafe, just off Columbia Road. And if I’m feeling between moods, a new favourite is Mu, a Japanese bar on Kingsland Road.
What brands are you currently loving?
Right now, my dream wardrobe would be somewhere between Peter Do and Dion Lee. I feel like both are offering a sleek and effortless product-runway crossover, fitting for most everyday life rituals. If I'm in the mood for looking and feeling obnoxious, my Ottolinger collection is there to help.
"Right now, my dream wardrobe would be somewhere between Peter Do and Dion Lee".
ELLA
Occupation: Brand Image Assistant
Star sign: Scary Aries
Life motto: Drama, I want more drama!
Name your celeb style icons.
Gwen Stefani, Vivienne Westwood, Adriana La Cerva in The Sopranos. Grace Jones. Pam Anderson, obviously.
Talk us through your fave AW23 piece.
Anything Martine Rose touches is gold in my eyes. It goes without saying, this MR puffer is my perfect winter coat - it's hot pink, snatched at the waist and errs just on the right side of trash. It’s giving Scouse glamour and I love it.
Name your top 3 London venues.
Okay, picking just 3 is impossible. Toconoco for their black sesame latte. Claire de Rouen bookshop for a browse. Mu for a wine. Stokey’s 24 hour bagel shop for after the after party ;)… And on the rare occasion I’m south of the river, I’m grabbing an ELITE falafel wrap at Yemanes’, off Rye Lane.
"It goes without saying, this MR puffer is my perfect winter coat. It's hot pink, snatched at the waist and errs just on the right side of trash."
Ella wears coat by Martine Rose, cap by Diesel
ALICE
Occupation: Wholesale Manager
Star sign: Sun - Leo // Moon - Virgo // Rising - Gemini
Death row meal: I love breakfast so maybe I’ll have to go with a fresh almond croissant and oat FW!
What brands are you currently loving?
Story mfg has always been a firm fave of mine because I love the way they merge craftsmanship and social activism with iconic pieces. They’ve got a fab collab at the moment with jewellery designer Octi.
Name your top 3 London venues.
There is NO WAY that I go out enough for this… EartH is fab, particularly for live music. I recently went to a friend’s art exhibition at the Bargehouse in OXO Tower which was crazy. I’m sure there were at least 4/5 floors to it. The Army and Navy for an after work pub trip - it’s super cheap and friendly!
Talk us through your fave AW23 piece.
It’s the perfect time for autumnal colours and this Diesel bag gives it all!
“Story mfg has always been a firm fave of mine… they’ve got a fab collab at the moment with jewellery designer Octi.”
LUCA
Occupation: E-Commerce Assistant
Star sign: Aquarius
Death row meal: Health obviously goes out the window at this point. A stack of pancakes with maple syrup, the correctional officer has to pour it from at least 40cm above the pancakes, I want to see that shit drizzle. Oxtail curry with plantain & coleslaw and a vanilla milkshake with a Krispy Kreme donut on top of the straw.
What are you listening to at the moment?
A video on Youtube of the producer BNYX making a beat with his baby whilst his baby is in a baby carrier.
Name your top 3 London venues.
McDonald’s on Mare Street, I’ve seen otherworldly things happen in this establishment like flying chairs. Kaffa in Dalston - best Ethiopian food in London. David Zwirner gallery.
Talk us through your fave AW23 piece.
This Martine Rose Classic shirt I can wear anywhere. To my wedding and at my funeral, open casket.
"This Martine Rose Classic shirt I can wear anywhere."
ZAMZAM
Occupation: Store Assistant
Star sign: Capricorn
Death row meal: Pumpkin pie with cool whip
What’s the best thing about living in London?
My neighbourhood. I love coming to my home and all that's around Seven Sisters.
Name your celeb style icon.
Prince, because it's Prince!
Talk us through your fave AW23 piece.
I have loved this Y/Project coat since I first started working at htown - its a bit of everything. Snatched waist and the boxy shoulders is a plus. Plus its warm :)
"I have loved this Y/Project coat since I first started working at htown..."
BILLY
Occupation: Wholesale Manager
Star sign: Aries
Life motto: If you close the door, the night could last forever.
What’s the best thing about living in London?
Chelsea Football Club.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Teezo Touchdown's new album, also Voyageur from Ali Farka Toure - it's a great selection of unheard stuff from the late king of desert blues. And lots of Kid Cudi.
Talk us through your fave AW23 piece.
My favourite piece this season is Our Legacy's Mini Jacket. It's got a lovely shape with soft shoulders and a subtle crop. The tartan is nicely subdued because the jacket is waxed, which conveniently makes it great in the rain as well. The waxing also means it conforms to the wearer and distresses over time, so it evolves too. It's just a classic example of Our Legacy's ability to make something that is both simple and complex at the same time.
"My favourite piece is OL's Mini Jacket... It's just a classic example of Our Legacy's ability to make something that is both simple and complex at the same time".
Billy wears jacket by Our Legacy, top by Diesel
Photography - Luca Brown
Words - Ella Aldersey-Williams