As seasoned Londoners (and LONDNRs) you don’t need me to tell you what a surprising city of contradictions this is. You already know there are kooky little clubs sat next to council estates, and Korean street food stalls snuggled up beside five star hotels. But sometimes, the exciting stuff isn’t visible just by glancing at the facade. Such is the case with The Mills Fabrica.
Our latest article, covering this particularly curious location, is also a teaser for our upcoming issue (which we are busy squirrelling away at). Can you guess what the theme of the mag will be, based on this piece?! Anyone who hazards a guess in the comments gets a tequila shot at our next party.
The Mills Fabrica: A Scientific Spectacle
London by foot can be deceiving. All those pavements lined with dependable brown terraces betray no hint of the fun that might be going on behind tightly closed doors.
This is the case with The Mills Fabrica. Sat comfortably on York Way, a rather uncheerful road behind King’s Cross station, the restrained yellow and red brick building shows no trace of the exciting novelties brewing therein. But if you catch a glimpse of the test tubes and textiles through the glass, your curiosity may well be whetted.
‘The ground floor is our innovation and concept store, Fabrica X’, says Amy Tsang, their Acting Head of Europe, ‘it’s open to the public.’ Walking in, one is greeted by a sweeping showroom. The displays – which often change – are there to introduce and educate consumers on the work done at The Mills Fabrica. Which, you may ask, is what exactly?
The brainchild of Vanessa Cheung, The Mills Fabrica is a cutting-edge sustainability incubator. Targeting the notoriously damaging fashion and agriculture sectors, it supports technological innovations in ‘techstyle’ and ‘agrifood’. In layman’s terms? Well, it’s a kind of ultra-sexy science lab…
This week for our London guide, Christopher recommends:
Cafe Kitty at Underbelly Boulevard Soho
“In a now-legendary episode dating back to March 12, 1759, Kitty Fisher found herself in a rather undignified predicament. While horseback riding in St James's Park she suffered a mishap, inadvertently revealing more than was considered proper at the time, given the absence of split-leg undergarments (ooh, matron!). This incident became the talk of the town, with numerous broadsheets, ballads, and prints capitalising on the pun of her becoming a ‘fallen woman.’
Yet, true to her spirited nature, Fisher refused to let this incident define her. Swiftly taking matters into her own hands, she orchestrated a masterstroke to redirect public attention. Fisher enlisted none other than Joshua Reynolds, the preeminent painter in all of England, to immortalise her in a portrait. This savvy move ensured that she not only reclaimed control of her narrative but also elevated her status in the public eye.
Unsurprisingly, Kitty’s enduring legacy continues to exert its influence in contemporary times, held in perpetual reverence by today's high society, including luminaries of modern-day glitterati, charismatic performers, and the denizens of the cabaret scene. This remarkable figure finds her tribute not in mere remembrance, but in the very fabric of a renowned establishment nestled in the heart of Soho. Here, Kitty’s indelible mark on history is celebrated with the kind of reverence befitting such an illustrious heroine, with her very own Cafe Kitty, the new establishment at Underbelly Boulevard, or colloquially known to us Londnrs as ‘sex alley’. Tee-hee.” READ THE REST
Strolling Regent’s Canal: My Haven of Serendipity when I need to Clear my Head
“The Regent's Canal walk from Warwick Avenue to Camden Passage is a tranquil sojourn through the heart of London, offering respite from the city's hustle and bustle.
This scenic route weaves along the historic waterway, providing a unique perspective on the capital's urban and natural landscapes, the perfect escape when you want to clear your head. You pass through concrete to actual jungle, from the splendours of monolithic architecture to charming barge boats, through the veins of a canal-world, hardly believing this place exists in the heartland of London.
The journey begins at Warwick Avenue, where the water gently meanders beneath elegant bridges, overhung by verdant willows. Yes, you do have Duffy’s anthem in your head right about now, and I don’t blame you for that. You’ll also discover Little Venice here, a charming boating community full of picturesque boats, echoing those of its Italian namesake...” READ THE REST
Read more reviews of exhibitions, restaurants, bars, theatre shows, and little-known city sights on THE WEEKLY MUSE.
Finally, for true lovers of London (and especially it’s architecture), check out this crowdfunding effort on Unbound, which we are delighted to support.
Modernism Beyond Metro-Land continues the work of Joshua Abbott’s first book, A Guide to Modernism in Metro-Land, in mapping and documenting the art deco, modernist and brutalist buildings of London’s suburbs. Taking in the eastern and southern boroughs, the guide will feature art deco cinemas, modernist tube stations, brutalist office blocks, stunning post war houses and much more.
SUPPORT THE CROWDFUNDER
That’s all for now, folks! See you next week.