Every week I pull together the standout releases, exhibitions, and events that I hope we can enjoy together or share our thoughts on the chat. This week features a London clothing brand doing big things globally, Seventh, a new album from Loyle Carner, one of London’s most exciting jazz line-ups, and an exhibition that redefines Gothic for the modern age.
Brand Focus – Seventh @seventhstores
I have really been inspired while researching the brand Seventh. They come across well, and I would encourage anyone interested in fashion or starting their own business to listen to the founders Bukki and Emmanuel on The Stockroom podcast. Both Bukki and Emmanuel come across as genuinely nice people, and this interview feels like a crash course in design and building a community. Have a pen and paper ready because it is full of practical advice.
I have really been inspired while researching the brand Seventh. They come across well, and I would encourage anyone interested in fashion or starting their own business to listen to the founders Bukki and Emmanuel on The Stockroom podcast. Both Bukki and Emmanuel come across as genuinely nice people, and this interview feels like a crash course in design and building a community. Have a pen and paper ready because it is full of practical advice.
We learn all about the brand and their journey. Seventh continues to refine its language of contemporary British design, balancing simplicity, weight, and intention. At the centre of their range sits the V2 silhouette, a timeless, seasonless piece inspired by 90s sportswear. Constructed from a heavyweight 610GSM cotton blend, it features a distinctive drop-shoulder cut that creates a rounded, sculptural profile. This focus on durability, form, and restraint has positioned Seventh as one of the most interesting independent voices in London today, quietly building a movement through quality and design.
Album of the Week – Hopefully by Loyle Carner
Loyle Carner has built his reputation on lyrical honesty and understated brilliance. His new release deepens that legacy, weaving themes of identity, family, and social observation with jazz-inflected beats. Hopefully! marks a more personal turn in Carner’s work, exploring fatherhood, self-reflection, and personal growth with subtle, organic production. Tracks like "Feel at Home" and "Lyin’" showcase his vulnerability, while collaborations with Navy Blue and Nick Hakim enrich the album’s introspective sound. The closing track, "About Time," features snippets of his son speaking, highlighting the intimate and reflective tone that runs throughout the record.
Loyle Carner has built his reputation on lyrical honesty and understated brilliance. His new release deepens that legacy, weaving themes of identity, family, and social observation with jazz-inflected beats. Hopefully! marks a more personal turn in Carner’s work, exploring fatherhood, self-reflection, and personal growth with subtle, organic production. Tracks like "Feel at Home" and "Lyin’" showcase his vulnerability, while collaborations with Navy Blue and Nick Hakim enrich the album’s introspective sound. The closing track, "About Time," features snippets of his son speaking, highlighting the intimate and reflective tone that runs throughout the record.
Gig of the Week – Chris Montague / Ant Law Quartet – Vortex Jazz Club – Friday 22 £17.50
When two of the UK’s most forward-thinking guitarists decide to write together, the results are bound to intrigue. Chris Montague and Ant Law bring their new quartet to the Vortex, joined by Conor Chaplin on bass and Mark Mondesir on drums. This collaboration is about more than virtuosity, it’s a chance to hear two creative voices in dialogue, shaping new compositions in real time. For anyone interested in where modern British jazz is heading, this gig is essential.
When two of the UK’s most forward-thinking guitarists decide to write together, the results are bound to intrigue. Chris Montague and Ant Law bring their new quartet to the Vortex, joined by Conor Chaplin on bass and Mark Mondesir on drums. This collaboration is about more than virtuosity, it’s a chance to hear two creative voices in dialogue, shaping new compositions in real time. For anyone interested in where modern British jazz is heading, this gig is essential.
Exhibition of the Week – Makers of Modern Gothic at the V&A – This a free exhibition
The V&A turns its lens on a design language that has shaped art, architecture, and style for centuries: Gothic. Makers of Modern Gothic traces the movement from its 19th-century revival through to its ongoing influence on culture today. Expect stained glass, ironwork, furniture, and textiles that showcase how Gothic has continually been reimagined for new generations. It’s both a history lesson and a sharp reminder of how aesthetic codes evolve and why they still matter.
The V&A turns its lens on a design language that has shaped art, architecture, and style for centuries: Gothic. Makers of Modern Gothic traces the movement from its 19th-century revival through to its ongoing influence on culture today. Expect stained glass, ironwork, furniture, and textiles that showcase how Gothic has continually been reimagined for new generations. It’s both a history lesson and a sharp reminder of how aesthetic codes evolve and why they still matter.
That’s everything for this week’s picks. I’d love to hear what you’re most interested in checking out, whether it’s catching the jazz quartet at the Vortex, exploring Makers of Modern Gothic, or diving into Loyle Carner’s latest record.
If you’re a brand owner, musician, or working on your own creative project, I’d also like to hear from you. These weekly highlights are about starting conversations and building connections, so if you’d like your work featured in future reviews or if you’d like to join the group meet-ups, just reach out.
#Seventh #LoyleCarner #VortexJazzClub #VictoriaandAlbertMuseum #MakersofModernGothic #MusicRecommendation #BookLovers #ArtExhibition #KnitwearDesign #CultureConnect #CommunityMeetups
