25 Years of Craftsmanship: How Labour and Wait Redefined Homeware
If you live in London and have a passion for homeware, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard of Labour and Wait. Founded in 2000 in the heart of Shoreditch, the shop has become synonymous with quality. Choosing to focus on a niche selection of homeware products that are built to last and look good doing it. Now with multiple shops and pop ups (including in Tokyo), they don’t show any signs of slowing down. We’ve teamed up with Labour and Wait for our latest homepage shoot and have had the opportunity to ask them how they do it.
Labour and Wait was founded in 2000 by Simon & Rachel. The pair were both working as Menswear designers for high street retailers and were beginning to feel “very frustrated by the constant changes in the clothing business and the lack of classic, timeless products in general”. They knew they wanted to start something built to last. Taking the plunge, they created Labour and Wait (the name from a Longfellow poem) and haven’t looked back since. Describing what they sell as “tools for everyday life”, their focus has always been products for the home that are designed to last and age beautifully.
With a definite vision, it didn’t take long for the company to take off. With its focus on aesthetically pleasing functional designs, they quickly garnered attention, from the likes of Michelle Ogundehin (then editor of Elle Decoration), and Japanese fashion legend Rei Kawakubo. “We were soon invited to take a space in Dover Street Market”, now with a space in Dover Street, it was clear that they had the pulse on what people wanted.
With their spaces feeling akin to a museum, curated to perfection, we were interested in their buying process. “We have always been interested in simple, functional objects, and we soon realised that there was a customer who really appreciated utilitarian products that are made to last and could see the worth in paying for well designed, well-made timeless products.” With customers mindsets shifting, becoming more eco-conscious of where their products come from, it's of no surprise that the brand has its audience. “We have very loyal customers, with many becoming friends. Customers will sometimes recommend products to us now.”
We were curious how a rare fellow independent has been able to stay afloat and successful for 25 years. “Retail has changed quite dramatically since we started back in 2000”. When opening their focus was always on a physical shop not considering the benefits of online selling, believing “that customers would really need to see our products in person before buying.” However, they eventually succumbed to the allures of the internet and now have a website curated as well as their shops, allowing more people to experience the wonderful selection Labour and Wait have to offer.
If you haven’t popped into a Labour and Wait shop before, we couldn’t recommend them enough. With an appreciation for products designed with utility at their core, you cannot go wrong with choosing to invest in functionality. To see their products in a different light, check out our recent homepage shoot where we hosted a picnic with our favourite Labour and Wait items.
