The Secret Emporium returns this December to present its very special Christmas Market, showcasing the best of British independent designers.
After an incredible response to last year’s event, and following a successful summer tour that included the award-winning Secret Garden Party and Wilderness Festival, Secret Emporium, is set to turn an urban Shoreditch warehouse into a winter world of wonder this Christmas season.
Lovingly hand selected and carefully curated, Secret Emporium will be showcasing 44 of these independent British designers in a 2-day market, taking place from 10.30am – 8pm, on 15th & 16th December at Factory 7, Hearn Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3LS.
At each SE event 2 scholarship places are awarded to young designers starting their labels. This year Isobel Webster, who has previously produced bespoke costume for the likes of Jessie J, The Correspondents and Goodbye Leopold, will be launching her first ready-to-wear collection of cat-suits and leggings. Keep your eyes peeled for eccentric roaming performers and peculiar characters who will also be dressed in her unique pieces. Next up is artist Lauren Baker, whose work has previously featured at Southbank Centre’s London Design Festival and Tate Modern’s OXYMORON event. Lauren attracted Secret Emporium’s attention with her one off mosaic-decorated skulls.
Other designers you will not want to miss include: SJSTYLEE / SPANGLED, Lilah, Rose Willis, Wolf & Moon,Vanessa Conyers Ceramics, Jobee Jo, Beara Beara, Kate Gilliland Jewellery, Grace Du Prez, Happy Harriet, Key Lime Pie, St Saviours, SYNDICUT Boxers, Merrimaking, House of Ismay, Feathered Fantasy, Boutique Alter Ego, Yas-Ming Ceramics, Discover Another, Fur Fatale, BLINGDEENIE, The Perfumed Workshop, Sir Plus, ShopFloorWhore, Chido Bueno, Tessa Metcalfe Jewellery, Camille Walala, Spanglebooth, Bottletop, Bon Bon, PUCKOO COUTURE, Circus Kinetica, Eleanor Bolton, Thor & Wistle, HAM, Workhouse, Eddy & Grice, ARLETTE ESS, Inyour Dreams, Lucy Peacock and Wild Things.
This immersive event will greet shoppers with interactive performers embodying a Dr.Zhivago vibe with a Secret Emporium David Bowie twist! Shoppers will be welcomed off the cold streets with hot mulled cider and roasted chestnuts into a wonderland of huge leaf-less twisted oak arches, beams aching with lanterns and carols round the piano. Whilst smashing Christmas shopping in one hit visitors can enjoy food from the award-winning Exmouth Market Moro restaurant and a foot-stomping line-up curated by one of The Secret Garden Party’s favourite stages: Woodburner. Acts already confirmed for the event include Ewan Bleach & the Snakewalkers, The Turbans, The John Langan Band, Whiskey Moon Face, Hicks & Higgins, Jessica Burn, Harky and Ben DeVere.
Secret Emporium was born from a love of costume culture and independent, original fashion. SE aims to seek out designers who do something left-of-field, to catch them when ideas and ambitions are fresh, creative and exciting, when designs have not been commercialised or sold out. The belief that everyone should have access to independent designers and be able to make that a viable choice over the high street inspires creating events like the Christmas Market.
There will also be a Grand Christmas tree raffle. Each of the designers has kindly created and donated a unique, handmade tree decoration. One very lucky raffle ticket winner will get to take home a 44-piece collection of one-off bauble designs from jewellers, ceramicists, artists, illustrators and fashion designers. It will certainly be the best dressed Christmas tree in London this winter and all proceeds go to the homeless charity, Shelter.
Published on 12 November 2012 by Wayne Feltham
Ben Devere The John Langan Band The Turbans
