Comments on: So Long, Blustons Of Kentish Town https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Sat, 27 Jan 2018 11:14:20 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Clive Bluston https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-1192948 Sat, 27 Jan 2018 11:14:20 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-1192948 My grandfather was Leon Bluston from London. We do not know anything ofhis ancestors or siblings, though we know his parents came from Poland at the beginning of the 1900’s.
We also heard a story that he had several ladies dress shops that he gave as a dowry to his sisters when they got married.
He was injured in the second world war during the blitz and moved to Wales and then to Manchester and St. Annes.
The name Bluston is very rare, so I am guessing that the owners of the shop are somehow related.

]]> By: Simon Bullivant https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-915703 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 18:49:30 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-915703 I took a photo of the shop front when I first stumbled upon it, more than twenty years ago. It looked like something from a bygone era then, but Blustons far outlasted almost everything else round about it. Like so many other people, I always looked in the window as I went past, glad that it was still there in a world where so much comes and goes so quickly. I’m glad to say that one December day instead of just passing I took the time to go inside, and bought a sensible cardigan for my eighty-something mother. I believe I still have the Blustons plastic bag somewhere. When I saw the empty shop window, last Sunday, I couldn’t help but take a few pictures. Perhaps like Palmer’s in Parkway, the shop front can be preserved If Camden Town can have their monkeys and talking parrots, why can’t Kentish Town have its coats and gowns?

]]> By: Colin https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-914356 Sun, 29 Mar 2015 20:10:41 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-914356 I lived nearby whilst at university and always loved this shop, especially the window displays with signs pinned to the items: eg “Model Dress” , “Smart Coat” etc. I’m very sad that this shop has closed (I have checked that it was still there now and then, when I have been back in the area and today found I had missed it’s closing by a few days). And it’s poor customers will be left bereft – I don’t think Net A Porter etc or Primark will have much truck with them. With an aging population I can’t see why someone didn’t carry this shop on? And what will become of it. Probably an estate agents.

]]> By: Pam Saunders https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-902655 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 04:05:30 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-902655 I only learned from Marilyn that Michael was retiring. I am a Volunteer at PAH, where l run an Art & Crafts group. Your mother in-law Esther Cohen is keen, talented and regularly partakes in the group. After a century it is so sad to hear you are closing and that the shop cannot be passed on. But we all need to retire and l am delighted you have had such customet support over the years + your recent publicity+ all those wonderful memories.

I myself embarked in the fashion business in 1973 as a young College graduate. I have only spent some 35 years in fashion working in both design and buying roles. I loved it! Fashion is in my blood.

]]> By: Annie S https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-896225 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 15:13:46 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-896225 I’m really sorry they will be closing!
I passed the shop on the bus frequently during the eight years I lived in Highgate, it’s a real landmark of Kentish Town.
I do hope there will be a good future for the premises – it’s unique.

]]> By: Martin https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-895055 Fri, 20 Mar 2015 02:25:54 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-895055 Perhaps some clever entrepreneur could open a cafe or restaurant called Blustons and keep the signage…can you see it?

]]> By: Jonathan https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-894762 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 21:15:28 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-894762 Nooooooooo!

Another cornerstone of old London gone.

]]> By: Ken https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-894505 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 17:31:14 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-894505 The shop front should be listed so that it, at least, will survive. It is a very good example of 30s styling and now quite a rarity.

]]> By: Sue https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-894287 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:38:45 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-894287 Great that Bluston’s survived so long but I do hope the listed shop-front can be preserved. It’s sad to see both Bluston’s and Doreen Fashions over in east London go within a few months of each other. Though Doreen’s clientele was rather different … http://bit.ly/1AJBEdF

]]> By: Victoria https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/03/19/so-long-blustons-of-kentish-town/#comment-894259 Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:18:32 +0000 http://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=131835#comment-894259 I’ve never been to Blustons but love going into clothing shops like these, so reminiscent of a bygone age and your post has brought back memories of my going into a similar store as a child in the 1970’s with my mother. I’m sorry it’s closing

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