Islander Opens First London Store in Covent Garden
Scottish accessories brand Islander debuts a London flagship with custom workshops, while BAPE by Kazuki Kuraishi reveals a technical FW26 collection themed around exploration.
This week sees a Scottish accessories maker plant its flag in London with a store focused on heritage craftsmanship. Separately, BAPE's performance-driven line unveils a winter collection built for urban and mountain exploration.
Islander's London Expansion
Scottish accessories retailer Islander opened its first store outside Scotland this summer at 29 Short's Gardens in London's Covent Garden. The brand, founded in Edinburgh in 2010, worked with design studio Dalziel & Pow on the space, which features earthy tones, rich greens, and tactile materials to show its range of satchels.
Prices for items in the store range from £30 for a Canvas Lunch Bag to £120 for The Caithness Clutch. The collection uses signature materials like Harris Tweed, leather, Locharron Tartan, and seasonal wovens. A central long table hosts group workshops where customers can create and customize their own bespoke satchels, aligning with modern demands for in-store experiences. Strap and charm bars are also installed to allow for future customization of purchased items.
Storytelling elements are woven throughout the interior. The brand's slogan 'rooted in Scottish heritage' and its promise to 'blend traditional craft with a modern twist' adorn the walls. Soft projections share information about Harris Tweed, while bag illustrations and murals complete the aesthetic. This location is the tenth for the brand and represents the first step in a southern expansion, with a second London store on Bloomsbury Street scheduled to open before the end of the year.
BAPE's FW26 Expedition
BAPE by Kazuki Kuraishi has unveiled its Fall/Winter 2026 collection, titled 'Expedition on Spaceship Earth,' a performance-led range for urban and backcountry use. The concept draws from Buckminster Fuller's 'Spaceship Earth' idea, treating everyday movement as exploration, with pieces designed for shifting weather and settings.
Graphics are central to the season, featuring three key motifs: Digital Tiger Camo, Digital 1st Camo, and Maze Pattern. The collection includes technical outerwear, layering pieces, bags, footwear, and a collaborative snowboard. The lineup spans insulated snow gear, technical layers, and accessories, all printed in fresh digital camo.
Kuraishi's background in winter sports informs the collection's direction. Born in Tokyo in 1975, he pursued snowboarding in Colorado before building a career as a creative director for various sportswear labels. The season is further connected to snowboard culture as BAPE served as title sponsor for the SAPPORO OPEN THE STREET 2026 snowboard rail jam in Japan.
