Start

Time Out says

Tue Nov 30 1999

Philip Start (founder of Woodhouse) and his wife Brix (former guitarist for punk rock band the Fall, and pug-wielding style expert on ‘Gok’s Fashion Fix’) own these his ‘n’ hers boutiques. Originally sporting a bohemian feel, the women’s store has recently had a sleek, contemporary makeover to match the fashion-forward apparel of labels such as Isabel Marant, Christopher Kane, Acne, Helmut Lang, Alexander Wang and Erdem. There’s also a legendary denim-fitting service and a hugely covetable range of accessories including sunglasses by Cutler & Gross and shoes by See by Chloé and Rick Owens. Across the road at the men’s store, gents can enjoy browsing rails of Maison Martin, Margiela, Engineered Garments, Closed and Woolrich. Or, for something more work/wedding-friendly, Philip and Brix’s third store on Rivington Street houses the Mr Start label: a supreme selection of dashing off-the-rack suits, rows of stylish shirts and signature skinny ties. There’s a made-to-measure service in the moodily lit downstairs space, with a bespoke suit starting at £895 and an off-the-peg combo from £695.