7 of the most stylish pop-ups in London this Christmas
This season sees a crop of cool, creative Christmas pop ups in London, selling everything from vintage fashion to new design classics. Eco-conscious jewellery designer Wild Fawn is personalising pieces at Josh Wood in Holland Park and Coach’s concept store opens in Spitalfields. The charity Choose Love returns to Soho and don’t miss a showcase of Ukrainian designers in Mayfair. Here’s our edit of the super stylish Christmas pop ups in London you won’t want to miss this festive season. Catch them while you can…
Wild Fawn Jewellery x Josh Wood
Until 31 December
Luxury eco-conscious jewellery brand Wild Fawn has launched a holiday pop up at the ever-popular Josh Wood Atelier in Notting Hill. The London-based brand – which is founded on the basis of ultimate transparency, with jewellery made ethically from sustainable materials – will be showcasing their signature collection, all of which is handmade with recycled solid 9ct gold or silver, as well as one-off pieces from their new ethical diamond collection as well as their exclusive capsule 18ct gold range. For added festive cheer, Wild Fawn are happy to personalise items that have been purchased at the pop up with their special engraving service. “When the holiday season is busy, gift shopping can suddenly feel very stressful and last minute,” says Wild Fawn founder Emma Barnes. “What could be easier than booking in a blow-dry or seasonal colour and finding that special gift?”
6 Lansdowne Mews, Notting Hill. London W11 3AN
wildfawnjewellery.com
Tomorrow’s Vintage at Spitalfields
Until 16 January 2023
Coach continues apace with its Coach (Re)Loved initiative with the opening of its first-ever London concept store, Tomorrow’s Vintage, in Spitalfields. In keeping with the fashion brand’s global programme, which allows customers to refurbish, reimagine and recycle pre-loved bags, this new pop up is inspired by Coach’s mantra to create “a better-made, circular future for all”.
Designed as an immersive experience around the four pillars of Upcrafted, Vintage, Restored and Remade, there’s a Coach Craftsmanship Bar – where experts offer advice on repairs and cleaning, as well as customisation and monogramming – as well as the opportunity to buy Coach (Re)Loved bags, with local artists on-site to personalise leather goods with embroidery. The space also hosts bespoke events, workshops and DJ sets, as well as an In Conversation With… series where guests are invited to discuss sustainability-related topics.
4 Market Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6DT
uk.coach.com
MatchesFashion Rental
21 November - 23 December
In what is a first for the luxury retailer, MatchesFashion has launched a pop up rental service in time for the festive season, allowing new and existing customers to hire the latest must-have designer pieces and accessories, all of which have been expertly curated by the buying team. As well as being available online, MatchesFashion Rental will also be based at its Mayfair space, 5 Carlos Place, for four weeks in the lead up to Christmas. Here customers can browse the rails of brand favourites including Danish designer Celeilie Bahnsen and Taller Marmo, as well as choose from exclusive pieces from the likes of 16Arlington and Nensi Dojaka. Try them in-store and then either rent your chosen pieces that day or reserve them for future events and have them delivered straight to your door, with loaning periods ranging from four days to 20. The best gift? Delivery, returns and dry cleaning are always free.
5 Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 3AP
matchesfashionrental.com
Beyond Retro at King’s Cross
Until January 2023
The vintage clothing empire Beyond Retro comes to King’s Cross this winter with a pop up in Coal Drops Yard. Over 5000 one-of-a-kind pieces have been handpicked for the new space, which opened in October, with the aim of bringing sustainable fashion to the forefront of the retail hub and continuing Beyond Retro’s mission for a circular economy. Alongside the rails of vintage treasures, Beyond Retro’s exchange programme is available in-store, enabling customers to swap their unwanted vintage and high street clothing for store credit and there are upcycling design workshops on the agenda. “You will come in and see things you didn’t expect,” says Steve Bethell, co-founder of Beyond Retro. “A melange, a celebration of everything from sparkles to leather to workwear. It’s a really exciting opportunity to be at King’s Cross and to be part of the landscape of new modern fashion.”
Unit 79-81, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, London N1C 4DQ
beyondretro.com
Rites at ME London
1 - 5 December
Rites, the sustainable luxury rental platform, will be in situ in ME London at the beginning of December. The pop up takes place in the hotel’s Marconi Lounge and will offer guests and visitors alike the opportunity to rent designer pieces by the likes of Prada, Balenciaga, Aje, Ganni and Self Portrait. With plenty of sequins, velvet and glitz available, it’s the perfect pop up if you’re looking for something to wear in the lead-up to Christmas. There’s also a personal styling service available to hotel guests with a Rites stylist, available in the comfort of their own room. Once you’ve chosen your partywear, why not head for the rooftop, which has been transformed into a Winter Garden, for festive cocktails and views of London’s twinkling streets below.
Choose Love in Soho
Until 24 December
Choose Love, the charity that has raised millions to provide support for displaced and vulnerable communities since it was founded in 2015, returns to Carnaby with its ever-popular “shop ‘til you drop, and leave with nothing” pop up on Foubert’s Place. The shop, now in its sixth year, sells real items and life-saving interventions which go to refugees around the world; you simply choose from the items on display and pay for them. Once you’ve chosen, Choose Love makes sure that whatever you buy goes directly to those who need it most.
Items for sale include winter essentials (blankets and sleeping bags, coats, heating fuel, waterproof tents), most-needed items (hot food, women’s support and care for unaccompanied children, mental health care) and life-changing interventions (sea rescue, evacuations, clean water, reuniting a family). Customers who want to give even more can select from the Bundle of Warmth and the Bundle of Love, which combine vital essentials to make sure people are getting what they need most, and you can, of course, select the ‘One of Everything’ option. Do look out for the charity’s celebrity ambassadors and supporters, many of whom volunteer to work on the shop floor and behind the tills.
15-17 Foubert’s Place, Carnaby, London W1F 7QB
choose.love
Smart Works at Somerset House
19 & 20 November
Smart Works, the charity that supports unemployed women with clothing and coaching to help them succeed at job interviews and transform their lives, has joined forces with The Telegraph to put on a weekend of fashion at Somerset House. Visitors to the two-day event will be able to shop the likes of Rixo, Lulu Guinness, Varley and Free People, with fashion names including Kate Farmer, Paula Sutton and Katherine Ormerod also donating a rail of their favourite pieces. There’ll be a Bobbi Brown makeup counter for free touch-ups, and complimentary cocktails and nibbles. Included in the perks for VIP ticket holders is early access to shop the sale, plus free access to Somerset House’s blockbuster exhibition The Horror Show! A Twisted Tale of Modern Britain. All proceeds from the weekend will go towards Smart Works.
Tickets cost £18; VIP tickets cost £35.
Strand, Westminster, London WC2R 1LA
eventbrite.co.uk
Authentic_UA at Duck & Dry
7 November - 4 December
Yulia Rorstrom, the Ukrainian-born founder of Duck & Dry – the boutique hair salon with locations across London – presents Authentic_UA. The four-week pop up, which takes place in the Mayfair and Chelsea outposts, showcases the work of Ukrainian designers, with stylist Eka Kapanadze, also from Ukraine, curating over 20 brands across fashion, accessories and home decor. The aim is to not only celebrate and shine a light on these creatives but also to provide an opportunity for customers to support them financially through their purchases. 50% from every sale will go directly to the designers, with the other 50% donated to Rebuild Ukraine Together, a charity set up to support Ukrainians during the conflict. “The Ukrainian creative community, both in Ukraine and abroad, is united in spirit, courage and bravery – showing relentless ingenuity by designing new collections in the most difficult of circumstances,” explains Yulia.
33 North Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 6ZQ (7 – 20 November)
335 – 337 King’s Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5ES (21 November – 4 December)
duckanddry.com
