Some of London’s top up-and-coming designers and artists have teamed up with the Mayor of London to launch a pop-up shop, showcasing their limited-edition wares.
Located at the capital’s Battersea Power Station, and open throughout December, the London Made Me shop will be home to a “unique collection” of limited-edition art, jewellery, homewares, clothing, ceramics, accessories and gifts.
The artists, all based in the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zones, have collaborated on the shop’s design, helping them develop skills and experience to further grow their creative businesses. This year’s selected creators include artists, designers, ceramicists and fashion designers.
The shop also features a partnership with renowned photographer Rankin, who will bring RANKIN Live to the space on Wednesday 11 December – so customers can have their portrait taken in-store.
He will also be hosting a Q&A and masterclass session with the shop’s creatives, to help them take their businesses to the next level.
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Furthermore, shoppers will also be given the chance to get creative, with a programme of interactive events and workshops, including in-store live art and product making, jewellery making, candle making, the opportunity to create their own festive decorations, greetings cards and more.
The initiative helps give creatives living or working in one of the Mayor’s 12 Creative Enterprise Zones the skills, knowledge and real-life practical experience needed to build their brands.
The 12 zones are dedicated to supporting emerging artists and creatives – particularly from under-represented backgrounds – to put down roots in their local area with access to affordable creative workspace. The pop-up shop has previously been located in Regent Street and Carnaby Street.
Justine Simons OBE, deputy mayor for culture and the creative Industries, said: “With retailers offering everything from bespoke leather goods to hand-illustrated cards, East African-inspired womenswear to typewriter art, this year’s shop shows the best of our capital’s creatives, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Photographer Rankin said: “London’s creativity is unmatched, and working with the Mayor of London on ‘London Made Me’ is an amazing way to champion that talent. In the run-up to Christmas, I’m excited to meet the incredible artists behind the work for the store. London thrives on its diversity and creativity, and it’s a privilege to be part of it.”
Figures show that more than 11 million people visited Battersea Power Station last year.
On show this year at Battersea Power Station is a giant-size Wallace and Gromit projection lighting up the shopping centre’s iconic wash towers.
Last year, tech giant Apple partnered with renowned British artist David Hockney to create a specially-designed Christmas light display on the facade of its London HQ at the station.
