Craft Central wants Londoners to discover the relevance of craft and design to their city. And what better way than organising this event? The Exhibition of Emerging New Talent is a group showcase of new work by London-based ‘design stars of the future’ – a public chance to experience the freshest craft and design talent at Craft Central’s London gallery. The multi-disciplinary show is a celebration of ‘home grown’ talent and reflects the creative excellence of London’s emerging designer makers.

Admission: Free

Venue: Craft Central, 33-35 St John’s Square, London, EC1M 4DS

Dates:
Open Mon-Fri 8-19 March, 12-6pm (last day Friday 19 March 12-5pm)
Special Launch Night – Monday 8 March, 5-8pm
Behind the Scenes Studio Tours – Thursday 11 March, 12-5pm
Meet the Maker Artist Talk – Thursday 18 March, 6pm (Booking required, Cost £5)
Weekend Opening – Saturday 13 March, 11am-4pm

Who’s there?
♥ Alexandra Simpson
♥ Jo Davies
♥ Ana Meneses
♥ Julie Vermeille
♥ Anna Johnson (we know her as A.Alicia)
♥ Katie Barton
♥ Daniele Geargeoura
♥ Laura Felicity
♥ Hannah James
♥ Ruth Babajide
♥ Jessica Light
♥ Yuki Sasakura Assiter

Yes we are!!! And it’s another one we can all go to – we like those

Fashion Fushion is opening its doors next week to showcase a mix of current collections, samples and past seasons’ stock. This exhibition of both young designers and high street favourites offers a unique opportunity to snap up some of the hottest bargains. Discover a diverse mix of styles, cultures and traditional dress.

Watch catwalk shows for ideas on dressing down and dressing up. Clothing, shoes, accessories and one-off pieces you won’t find anywhere else. At prices you can’t afford to miss.

Click here to view the embedded video.

After seeing lots of Autum/Winter10 collections you can’t get your hands on, this is just what we need!

Website: www.fashionfusionexpo.co.uk

Admission: £10 – buy your tickets online

When? 12-13 March 2010

Where? Old Truman Brewery at 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL

Who’s there? Julia Smith, Stamo, Nikolo Bertok, Ahsan Design Studio, N’kya Designs, Side Effects, House of Bunor, Embellished Truth, Trousers London, Choolips, Asake Agoro, Andaluss, Nobelafrik, Ceci, Juzi

Catwalk schedule: Click here to view the schedule

That’s what we’ll be finding out for you at the Margin London trade show.

We’ll be exploring the exhibition areas and checking out the current and next season collections of some great emerging as well as established designers. Of course, you’ll be the first to know about our finds.

When
14th & 15th February 2010
Sunday & Monday 10am til 6pm

Where?
The Music Rooms
South Molton Lane
London W1

Exhibition Areas
GILD + www.accessoriesgild.com ACCESSORIES & FOOTWEAR
KREATEUR + www.kreateur.net DIRECTIONAL TAILORING
SPACE 101 + www.1zero1.com DEBUT LAUNCHPAD
SELVAGE + www.selvagelondon.com PREMIUM DENIM
TEE ROOM + www.theteeroom.net WEARABLE ART
TRAIDFARE + www.TraidFare.com ETHICAL FASHION

What is Swishing I hear you thinking and I was exactly the same. The Art of Swishing involves getting your friends together to swap gorgeous clothes and party at the same time. A fabulous way to recycle your clothes and have a catch up at the same time, genius!

We all bring nice, clean, presentable clothes that are lurking unloved in our wardrobe, and other girls fall in love with them and give them a good home. You might bring one sweater and take two pairs of shoes, or hang a party frock on the ‘Swishing Rail’ and take a pair of skinny jeans and feather boa.

We can only agree with Lucy Shea’s, founder of Swishing and director of Futerra Sustainability Communications, statement: “Save money, save the planet, have a party: swishing effortlessly touches all of these buttons. Swishing parties are for all those women who want to combine glamour, environmental protection and frugality.”

And as there are now Swishers all over the world from South Africa to Belgium and New Zealand to Japan they are throwing an eco-fabulous ‘Red Carpet Swish’ at London’s Swanky Andaz Hotel in Liverpool Street to celebrate. January 9th 2010 is officially the first ever International Day of Swishing!!

When?: 9th January 2010 : 3pm – ?
Numbers are limited so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Where?: Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel, London

How much?: Free but you have to bring something to swap.

More info needed?: www.swishing.org

Rules of Swishing:
1) Everyone must bring at least one item of quality clothing
2) You will have half an hour to browse before the swish opens
3) No item may be claimed before the swish opens
4) As soon as the swish is declared open, everyone may take what they want
5) Remember no scratching, spitting or fighting

It’s back again! This year it’s bigger, better and on for longer.Admission: £2 – you can book online

When? 18th December 2009 : 6pm – 9pm
19th – 22th December 2009 : 11am-8pm

Where? Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA  (East Wing – next to the Ice Rink)

Who’s there? UK’s best and most innovative designers including Michael Marriott, Sebastian Bergne, Carl Clerkin, William Warren, Tim Parsons and students from the Royal College of Art and Camberwell

Buy truly original Christmas gifts at affordable prices, most items are under £10. And strangely quirky, definitely great stocking fillers:

With 30 stalls of unique handmade goods & affordable gifts you should be able to finish (or start…) your Christmas shopping.

Admission: Free

When? Saturday 19th December 2009 : 12pm-6pm

Where? St Aloysius Social Club, Phoenix Road, London NW1 1TA  (closest tube: Euston)

Who’s there? You will find the organiser Cassie English there – www.englishdesignco.com and the lovely Amma from ‘Me’ will be selling her accessories – www.wear-me.co.uk

BRICK LANE
The London Accessory Sale & Secret Sample Sale

THU 10th- SUN 13th DEC - thu 2 – 9 (members), fri 12 – 8 • sat 12 – 7 •  sun 12 – 6
T2, The Old Truman Brewery • 85 Brick Lane  • London • E1

Nearest tubes: Old Street, Aldgate East, Liverpool Street, and Shoreditch.

Download your pass for our members-only sale day

MUSIC ROOMS

The London Accessory Sale

FRI 18th DEC fri 1 – 9
The Music Rooms, 26 South Molton Lane, Mayfair, London, W1K 5AB

Nearest tube: Bond Street, Oxford Circus

CODE: MUSICXMAS09 (bring code to gain access)

Who’s there? Aquascutum, Ash, Ayten Gasson, Balenciaga, Black & Brown, Blank, Belstaff, Burberry, Coccinelle , Carniani, Chloe, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ebisu, Fendi, Fred Perry, Francesco Biasia, Giuseppe Zanotti, Gucci, Grab, Ital shoes, Jil Sander, July Twenty, Jimmy Choo, Luella, Miu Miu, Mogil, Moda Italia London, Patrick Cox, Prada, Paul & Joes Sister, Sergio Rossi, Tokun Win, Tods, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Yas Silver & YSL. Plus many more!

Admission: £1

We Make Christmas craft fair is organised from We Make… and offers designers the opportunity to sell directly to buyers and offers buyers something unique and timeless in today’s fast-paced, throwaway world of mass production.

And if you can’t wait until the following week to get your hands on A.Alicia accessories, you can find her here on Saturday.

Admission: £2 per person, children free

When? 5th December 2009 : 11am- 5pm

Where? Chelsea Town Hall, Kings Road, London, SW3 5EE

‘Tis the season to be jolly and BUST magazine is decking York Hall with boughs of holly, plus the hottest handmade wares! With over 60 crafty vendors, the BUST Magazine Christmas Craftacular has your shopping list all sewn up. Don’t miss: the Tatty Devine Christmas-Tree Tombola; tea and cake at the Lady Luck Rules OK Pop-Up Christmas Party; knitting and stitching in the DIY Den with Fabrications’ recycled rosette workshop, knitting know-how with Prick Your Finger and Knit & Destroy’s giant knit-along Christmas decoration. Shop, dance and be merry! DJs and drinks all day. DJs: The Broken Hearts, Pamflet, Killing Fantasy DJ Sarah Jones, Ci-Ci and Christopher Robin.

And if you need any more convincing, our favourite A.Alicia will be selling her accessories!!

Goodie bags for the first 100 through the door, raffle and more.

Admission: £2.

When? Saturday 12th December 2009 - 12pm-7pm

Where? York Hall, 5-15 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PJ

… is avoiding shopping on Oxford street. No matter how good a shopper you are, it kills the joy of finding that something for these special people in your life if you have to push, shove and queue to get to it.

So this year it’s my mission to find alternative shopping places, markets and fairs that pop up for this special season. And one is starting tomorrow.

The entire retail offerings of The Old Truman Brewery and more come together for All I Want for Xmas, wohoo!!! It’s a shopping experience beginning with late night shopping tomorrow, Thursday 26th November.

Independent retailers in the form of gift markets, exhibitions, designer sales, independent shops and even a pop-up emporium will be selling their goodies. It offers the cream of the East London crop all under one roof, showcasing its brightest creative talent from the worlds of design, art, fashion and home ware.

All I Want for Xmas Emporium and Gift + Design Market Opening Times:
Week 1: 26th – 29th November
Week 2: 3rd – 6th December
Week 3: 10th – 13th December
Week 4: 17th – 20th December

All I Want for Xmas Emporium and Gift + Design Market Opening Times:
Thursday 5pm – 9pm
Friday 12pm – 6pm
Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 10am – 6pm

Location:
F Block 1st floor entrances from Ely’s Yard, 15 Hanbury Street and 81 Brick Lane

Admission:
Free of charge