The Glass guide to Lamb’s Conduit Street, London – Ally Capellino

WHEN we think of vegetable-tanned leather and waxed canvas accessories with a timeless British design, our thoughts immediately jump to Ally Capellino. For the last 30 years, the owner and designer Alison Lloyd has been creating accessories, as well as clothes, that bridge the gap between understated design and luxury so it’s no surprise that earlier this year they opened their third London store in Lambs Conduit Street.

Renowned for their backpack and satchel designs that transcend the gender divide, their accessories are a staple favourite of urban dwellers – architects, designers and creatives are often longstanding fans. We caught up with Alison Lloyd to find out about their store in Lamb’s Conduit Street – one of London’s most stylish neighbourhoods

Inside the Ally Capellino store, Lamb’s Conduit Street

Tell us about your store and what it sells.
Our shop in Lamb’s Conduit Street is situated just at the top of the pedestrian friendly part of the street. It’s a neat 400sq’ with a polished concrete floor and daylight coming through from the back. We sell bags ranging from waxed canvas backpacks to leather handbags, we also have a selection of belts wallets small accessories.

The exterior of the  Ally Capellino store, Lamb’s Conduit Street

Describe your store in three words.
Simple, friendly and minimal.

Ally Capellino store, Lamb’s Conduit Street

Describe a typical or target customer.
Customers are equally likely to be men or women and age is no barrier to the look – whether young or old. The people who buy Ally Capellino are confident and independent and they appreciate the timeless but in every case practical design. Architects and graphic designers are keen on our products – as well as a range of other design-aware individuals from all walks of life.

How long have you been a resident store of Lamb’s Conduit Street.

We moved into the street in January this year.

Looks from Ally Capellino

What do you know about the history of Lamb’s Conduit street?
I had read that the name referred to the Elizabethan dam made in one of the tributaries of the River Fleet. William Lambe gave £1,500 towards the rebuilding of it and won the name of the street in doing so.

What persuaded you to set up shop here?
We liked the feel and size of the street. The scale is friendly and it has plenty of good independent traders who we see as having a similar audience.

A look by Ally Capellino

Is there a sense of community between store owners?
There is and we have been made very welcome there.

There’s a very distinct selection of shops that all fit together very well, do you think it’s a coincidence?
There is a real affinity between the traders currently, but the rents are starting to make things difficult and inevitably not everyone will be able to stay.

Ally Capellino designs

What do you think the future of Lamb’s Conduit Street looks like?
As above.

by Stephanie Clair

Ally Capellino, 31 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3NG
Tel: 020 7404 3113