Sale Feature: Navy and Cream

Mackintosh!

Lark Cardigans in Navy and Cream!

Weekend update

Friday was an exciting day because we received a nice big order from The Laundress. 

Not everything that we received is available on our online shop just yet. 

In store, but not yet online you will find:

The sweater stone

ironing water

The stain brush

signature detergent

darks detergent

We have also put both men's and women's lark cashmere/cotton sweaters on sale, find them in our online shop 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Free shipping within North America | selected items on sale

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Check out our web shop to find deals on selected Men's and Women's spring items.

Editorial 2010 Vol. 2

Click here for Volume 2. of the Lark spring/summer editorial. 

Thank you so much to our models Sam and Chris.

Christopher Smith

We have tickets ($12) available at Lark for Christopher Smith's new album release party and show. 

The show is on Friday May 28th at the Western Front, doors open at 7pm.

We'll see you there!

The Christopher Smith myspace music page

Happy Victoria Day!

Monday May 24th we will be open from

12-5

in celebration of Victoria Day

Hidden Treasures

We have been adding pictures to our product pages from Volume 1. of the editorial that did not make it to the final edit.

As you look through our product shots you will find editorial shots hiding within. 

Volume 2. is coming very soon...

Press: May 2010

One of our favourite Barbour Jackets was featured in getting beat like you stole something, though this blog typically focuses on mens wear they know a good line up of women's wear when they see it.

Along with the Barbour Antique Union Jack International they also featured some of our other favourite outerwear from Chimala and Mackintosh.

A History of Architecture wrote about some of the images from volume 1. of our spring summer look book. If you missed it, check out Lark About where Natsumi posted some "deleted scenes" that were not included in the official look book.

We can't forget to mention Hype Beast who really get what we are all about. They also featured our Frank Leder Handkerchiefs a little while back. 

(Frank Leder Handkerchief pictures taken for Hype Beast by Luis Valdizon at Lark)

Handkerchiefs

A Brief History

Historically, white handkerchiefs have been used in place of a white flag to indicate surrender or a flag of truce; in addition to waving away sailors from port. King Richard II of England, who reigned from 1377 to 1399, is widely believed to have invented the cloth handkerchief, as surviving documents written by his courtiers describe his use of square pieces of cloth to wipe his nose.

During Victorian times "hankies" were used by ladies as a means of flirtation. Often a woman would intentionally drop her hankie giving a gentlemen an excuse to speak with her under the guise of simply returning it. Women's hankies during this time were delicate, made with silks, lace and sometimes fine linens. 

At one time the material of a handkerchief was symbolic of the social-economic class of the user. This was not just determined by the cost of the fabric used to make the handkerchief, but often because some materials are more absorbent and practical for those who might make use of one rather then simply wear one for aesthetic purposes. That's right, they are useful. When it's hot you can wipe the sweat from your brow, or your hands. Should your eyes well up with tears you can wipe them dry, or offer your handkerchief to someone who is reduced to tears in your presence. 

Above: September 1953, football coach, Jack Freeman, holding ball under arm and drying eyes with handkerchief as he weeps with joy after his team, William & Mary, tied navy.

(Photo by Hank Walker)

Watch Jean-Luc Godard make great use of a handkerchief in this short film by Agnes Varda starring 
Anna Karina. 
It is a film within the film Cléo de 5 à 7(1962) directed by Agnes Varda.
(taken from Lark About)


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Miss Manners has this to say with regards to the handkerchief:

Dear Miss Manners:

What do you do with tissues, after you have blown your nose in them, when you are out in public or at a friend's house?

Gentle Reader:

For such occasions, you employ a cloth tissue, a clever little invention which is a square of cotton or linen that may be conveniently carried in the pocket and reused  throughout the day. One should never begin the day without a fresh one of these concealed about ones person. Consider, for example, the difference this would make if you should have occasion to weep in front of others. Weeping into paper is disgusting; weeping into fine linen is romantic drama.

With all of these inspirations in mind we have these amazing handkerchiefs available from Frank Leder. 

They come in a great Eastern Block style gift box. 

Available Online:  Check Handkerchiefs and Stripe Handkerchiefs

Editorial 2010 Vol. 1

Check out our Spring/Summer Women's Editorial Vol. 1 slide show

Check out our Spring/Summer Men's Editorial Vol. 1 slide show

If you want to scroll through at your own pace click here.

Thank you Alexa Kirsten Stroth and Wesley Fields for modeling in volume 1 for us. 

Press: Grey Manner

There are a lot of things to love about Grey Manner starting with the fact that they spell 'Grey' with an 'e' and not an 'a'.  Recently they were on set with Natsumi while she was shooting our summer look book. They took some great behind the scenes pictures, and wrote nice things about us.

Remember this:

Magic Notebook from Lark About on Vimeo.

Good times!

Spotted: Chimala Work Shirt

Check it out...
Michelle Williams wearing Chimala’s Chambray work shirt!!

Chimala chambray work shirt for women

Shop On Line

Gingham

Encyclopedia Britannica

gingham

plain-woven fabric, originally made completely of cotton fibres but later also of man-made fibres (we like the ol' fashioned cotton fibres), which derives its colour and pattern effects from carded or combed yarns. The name comes from the Malay word genggang, meaning "striped," and thence from the French guingan, used by the Bretons to signify cloth made from striped colouring. Medium or fine yarns of varying quality are used to obtain the plain, checked, or striped effects. The warp and the weft, or filling, may be the same, even-sided and balanced

The Chimala gingham short sleeve pull has all of the details one expects of high Japanese design. The popover style with front pleat and back loop with gathers make this shirt unlike any other.

This Lova gingham shirt is not yet available online, but if you can visit us we recommend that you come and give it a try. The resin buttons and fine Italian fabric are amazing.

A Short History of Gingham

Gingham made its first appearance in the 17th century, where it was imported to England and then migrated to the American colonies. Originally, using two different color fibers to produce a striping effect created gingham. But as time went on, gingham fabrics began to appear that had a checkered pattern, as well as plaids. Blue and white was the color combination of choice for many years.

The production of gingham was a major economic boon to Manchester England and the surrounding areas. In the New World, gingham made the textile industry a powerful force in what is now the Virginias, the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama. 

Ties! 

Alexander Olch ties and suspenders!

Okay ladies, I don't know if you've been waiting as long as I have for a great quality gingham shirt with a great fit, so you may not entirely understand my enthusiasm. But I can't even believe how much I love these gingham shirts made for us by Makie!!!

We've got four beautiful and classic colours for you to chose from. Now your only challenge is figuring out what to wear the other 3 days of the week. 

One of the best  qualities of a well made gingham shirt is how easy it is to look after. It launders easily and well. They look casual and sharp, they make your wardrobe more interesting without going over the top, and if you aren't in the mood to press them they can still look tidy.