Look no further than Old Spitalfields Market, which won the ‘Best Fashion Market’ category in Time Out’s Shopping Awards 2008, to be one step ahead of the high-street trends and your friends in the fashion stakes.
Based in London’s eclectic and fashionable East End, it is home to the most diverse range of independent fashion stalls and design outlets in London.
The bohemian fashion and design destination offers distinct and sometimes quirky creations from up-and-coming designers.
With the tourist traps of the Portobello Road and Camden’s chaotic streets being so last season, Old Spitalfields Market is every fashionista’s dream. Newly refurbished and one of London’s best-kept secrets, the market is a firm favourite among those on the hunt for one-off designs and fabulous accessories, including bags and jewellery as well as vintage fashions.
April 77 jeans at Behave can be found alongside Leroy, one of the market’s long-standing and much-followed designers, who sells men’s designer jackets and shirts. Rich, African-inspired fabrics are transformed into an array of softly tailored dresses, skirts and tops at Janice, while those looking for gorgeous and unique ‘hot to trot’ shoes are in for a treat at Sniff.
Did you know?
There are more artists and fashion designers based in and around Old Spitalfields Market than any other region in Europe.
The entire local area has quickly re-established itself as one of the capital’s fashion meccas and visitors might even spot Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Uma Thurman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna searching for fashion and accessory treasures. Legendary designers Philippe Starck and Jean Paul Gaultier are even reported to walk through the market looking for inspiration.
Give yourself half a day to explore this wonderful market has to offer, including:
Fairy Goth Mother
Step into Fairy Goth Mother and you step into a boutique housing one of the largest selections of authentic corsets by corsètieres from all around the world. With fashion and designer corsets, fabulous lingerie and a range of prom dresses and eveningwear, each given a gothic twist, this intriguing shop is a must-see at Old Spitalfields Market.
Try here: If you admire the quirkiness in Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci & Kelly Osborne’s style.
Behave
This is a haven for denim lovers and those with an eye for the individual boutique brands. The store, which has been around since 2007, offers men’s and women’s fashion including jeans by April 77, Cheap Mondays and Sparks. It is also the exclusive stockist of Straight Boy, Velour, Won Hundred and Nakkna – all established designers in their native Scandinavia, but new to the British market.
Behave is also a great place to pick up footwear such as the stylish and feminine Scorah Patullo range and men’s brogues by French label, NDC.
Try here: If you are looking for a stylish and über-cool alternative to the usual high-street denim suspects.
Komodo
Celebrating its 20th year at Old Spitalfields Market, the Komodo brand flagship store brings you the cream of each season’s collection. Organic and ethnically traded men’s and women’s fashion inspired by the Tibetan region is, has and always will be the way at Komodo. Its range is designed in London by the cream of the fashion industry and produced in responsible and ethical factories in Kathmandu and Bali.
Komodo garments are the perfect present if you are worried about the negative effects of globalisation – all items provide an ethically sound alternative with a fair deal for everyone.
Try here: if you are a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow’s style and politics.
Sniff
Sniff is one of the UK’s leading ladies’ and men’s footwear boutiques, and is the firm favourite destination for the discerning shopper.
It prides itself on providing quality and idiosyncratic designs that are usually the preserve of high-end designer stores. Each season, its boutique collections include new and established urban and designer labels from around the world, which are not available anywhere else in London.
Try here: if you love gorgeous shoes reminiscent of the shoes on New Bond Street, but the best part is, you don’t have to have deep pockets.
Catering for a variety of styles and tastes, the 30 plus shops in and around Old Spitalfields Market are all individual with several owned by the designers themselves, giving you access to your very own style consultant.
