The hugely popular blog 'Men in this Town' is the destination for those interested in a carefully curated expression of men's street style. Now a retail concept attached to the brand - The Mitt Mrkt - is making that style available to men in Sydney, and those shopping for them.
The man behind Men in This Town, art director and blogger Giuseppe Santamaria, doesn’t just have an eye for detail. He has a spectacular talent for spotting and documenting men on the street who are confident in their sartorial choices.
So for men interested in stylish fashion and accessories for men The Mitt Mrkt, Santamaria’s new retail store in Sydney’s Darlinghurst, is a destination not to be missed.
We caught up with The Mitt Mrkt co-founder Clara Ho to talk about the concept behind the store, its emphasis on stocking local brands (such as Mister Wolf!) and her favourite Darlinghurst haunts.
Mister Wolf: Can you tell us about the origins of The Mitt Mrkt?
Clara Ho: The Mitt Mrkt is a collaboration between myself and Giuseppe Santa Maria. I am primarily a designer, I used to be an architect and now I do jewellery and accessory designer. My studio is called Burton Metal Depository and I focus on men’s pieces –cufflinks and rings and necklaces that are more catered for guys.
Giuseppe, my business partner, is the founder of Men in This Town (MITT) which is a men’s street style and fashion blog, which has become a set of books and magazines. So we are both focused on the area of men’s fashion.
How did you two meet?
We actually met when I did the pop-up in the same location in Darlinghurst where the Mitt Mrkt is now, around father’s day. It was called the Man Cave and I had curated a heap of local designers and makers for that.
We had fashion, homewares, accessories… and Guiseppe came into the shop and saw it. Having a retail project for MITT was always something he had had in the back of his mind. I had the retail experience and the connection to the designers so we decided to partner to create The Mitt Mrkt.
It is about everybody having a story to tell.. There’s something special about the detail in every piece that we have.
How long has The Mitt Mrkt been open for now?
It was originally only supposed to be for a month but we have now extended it until September 2016 at least. With the pop-up we are introducing ourselves and our designers to the locals while we work on a permanent shop. The new shop in Foley Street Darlinghurst is under construction. It will be just behind Oxford Street so the same locality which is good.
For something to be right for The Mitt Mrkt, what qualities does it have to have?
Firstly we look at the aesthetics of the product. Whether it compliments the Men in This Town brand. Also the quality of the product, the fact it is Australia designed, and that we can stand behind the product as well, that they are beautifully-made and going to last you a long time, that they are quality and they have that masculine edge.
How would you describe the aesthetic of the brands in your store?
It is about everybody having a story to tell. So individual pieces might be understated, but they have that point of uniqueness. There’s something special about the detail in every piece that we have.
What attracted you to Mister Wolf watches?
Definitely the aesthetic, the amount of detail that is in the product. The way that they have designed it so you can put together your different components.
The colours. You can design it yourself – it is really cool. Even the fact that the hands might be a different colour is really unique and the attention to detail.
Find The Mitt Mrkt at 72 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010; www.themittmrkt.com.
Clara’s Insider’s Guide to Darlinghurst, Sydney
Drink… At the bar in Darlinghurst that’s pocket-sized but full of personality
My favourite local bar is definitely Pocket Bar. It has consistently great service, delicious drinks/food and a cosy atmosphere.
Pocket Bar, 3 Burton St, Darlinghurst, Sydney NSW 2010; www.pocketsydney.com.au.
Don’t forget.. To take a moment to look beyond the urban grit
It’s magical walking down Riley street, from Oxford Street to Stanley Street, in late spring and early summer. The Jacaranda flowers drop and carpet the street in a sea of purple.
The combination of the beautiful old facades of the terrace houses, you could imagine you’re on a film-set.
Fans of handmade jewellery must.. visit The Strand Arcade
My favourite gallery is Courtesy of the Artist in The Strand Arcade – every single piece of jewellery in the shop is beautifully made and is something to treasure forever. Plus, they do a lot to support local artists and makers
Courtesy of the Artist, Shop 122-124, Level 2, The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000; www.courtesyoftheartist.com.au.