If you believe statistics, everyone’s waiting for Black Friday to kick-start their Christmas shopping. Email boxes will be jammed full of discounts and retailers will be praying their websites will cope with the sheer volume of traffic, with people wanting to bag their bargain.
After all, who doesn’t love a great deal? But I believe there’s something much better, good quality and great design. Because with a sale, it’s tempting to buy things you don’t need. Whereas if you are investing in an item, you only part with money for something you truly love. Good design transcends seasonality and will stay in your wardrobe year after year. Plus it’s great to support small businesses, they have unique ideas and often a more ethical approach to production.
If you want to find some great gifts this Christmas, there are several fantastic Christmas pop up shops in London, that celebrate the best of independent design. Here are my favourites.
A Luxe Story
a luxe story is a curated women’s lifestyle shop. It features luxury knitwear from Ille De Cocos, hand printed sleepwear from Eight Hour Studio, seriously cool sneakers from Rose Rankin, and beautiful jewellery from Harry Rocks plus lots more! We went last Saturday and Daisy purchased a little something for her Dad.
Runs until 27th November
Mon – Fri 10:00 to 19:00 | Sat 10:00 to 18:00 | Sun 11:00 to 17:00
31 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London, WC1N 3NG
West Eleven Collective
The West Eleven Collective have curated a selection of independent British Brands. Highlights include homewear from Edit 58 and Dilli Grey, bohemian kidswear brand Lala + Zizo, leather bags from Bell & Fox, sunglasses from my favourite Finlay & Co and neon art label Bag & Bones.
Runs until 27th November
1 Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2BY
Christmas Designer Market
And finally buy from some of the most exciting new childrenswear brands at the Christmas Designer Market at the V&A Museum of Childhood, in association with Dot to Dot London. One of my favourite childrenswear brands From Babies with Love will be there. It’s a social enterprise where all profits got to help abandoned children. To read more about them please click here.
Sunday 27th November
10:00 – 17:00
V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9PA
Happy Christmas shopping!
