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| Organiser Fazane Malik |
Bringing together 7 Derby and
Midlands based designers, the Derby
Designer #POPUP Boutique exclusively showcases local fashion talent for a
limited time. With one-off celebrity print t-shirts, limited edition collection
pieces and one-of-a-kind accessories, buyers can bag themselves a unique piece
whilst getting the feeling of satisfaction that comes with supporting local
businesses.
Open at the top floor of the Fat Cat Café Bar on Friar Gate, the boutique is open Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.
Open at the top floor of the Fat Cat Café Bar on Friar Gate, the boutique is open Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.
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| Designer accessories |
The event is the brainchild
of Fazane Malik, 29, from Ilkeston, who will be selling her first collection
from her brand ‘Fazane’ at the boutique. Her designs equip modern
women with a classic look with a twist.
Having spent years in the industry working with designers in Australia and London, in the Fashion department of Leicester’s 69 Degrees magazine, as well as six-and-a-half years working for a clothing manufacturer, she is using her experience to drive forward her own brand. She noted the popularity of pop up events in London – boutiques, cinemas, art galleries – and was asked to be involved.
However, the high costs of hiring spaces and the demands for a large percentage of profits led her to wonder why pay someone else for something she could do herself.
Using established contacts with local designers, and discovering new ones through creative networking site ‘From Dusk 2 Dawn’, she brought together a variety of complimentary collections to help small scale brands gain exposure and publicity in their local area. “I could have taken my collection to London”, Fazane says, “but I wanted to come back to Derby because I love it so much”.
Having spent years in the industry working with designers in Australia and London, in the Fashion department of Leicester’s 69 Degrees magazine, as well as six-and-a-half years working for a clothing manufacturer, she is using her experience to drive forward her own brand. She noted the popularity of pop up events in London – boutiques, cinemas, art galleries – and was asked to be involved.
However, the high costs of hiring spaces and the demands for a large percentage of profits led her to wonder why pay someone else for something she could do herself.
Using established contacts with local designers, and discovering new ones through creative networking site ‘From Dusk 2 Dawn’, she brought together a variety of complimentary collections to help small scale brands gain exposure and publicity in their local area. “I could have taken my collection to London”, Fazane says, “but I wanted to come back to Derby because I love it so much”.
All of the featured designers
are passionate about collaboration in local creative and fashion communities.
Leren Connor and Erica Godfrey (of Oddly Enough) agree there is no competition
between them; in fact Leren stocks Erica’s accessories in her boutique on Green
Lane, Derby. Leren agrees that “The more designers that come together the
better”. Both Leren and Erica enthuse how invaluable social media is to promote and
sell their brands. They wish more people would use it to advertise the creative
talent of Derby.
Helping the boutique achieve a boudoir look is Derbyshire based business, ‘The Vintage Afternoon Hire Company’. Set up by local ladies Alex Harris and Bryony Marriott, the company offers an exquisite selection of vintage crockery, furniture, accessories and props. Currently covering Derbyshire and the surrounding area, the pair work mostly at weddings creating vintage and elegant areas for after-ceremony teas.
Helping the boutique achieve a boudoir look is Derbyshire based business, ‘The Vintage Afternoon Hire Company’. Set up by local ladies Alex Harris and Bryony Marriott, the company offers an exquisite selection of vintage crockery, furniture, accessories and props. Currently covering Derbyshire and the surrounding area, the pair work mostly at weddings creating vintage and elegant areas for after-ceremony teas.
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| A selection of what is available from The Vintage Afternoon Hire Company |
With the short lived nature
of a pop up boutique, what’s next for these designers? Organiser Fazane hopes
that if this event is a success, she can continue to work with the designers
and take the event elsewhere in the East Midlands. “Just the East Midlands”,
she says though, “there are so many talented designers here and I want to
celebrate that”.
Find out more about the
designers:
- Fazane – Limited Edition Womenswear by Fazane Malik
- Organic Pirate – Independent Unisex Label by Louis William Driver
- Jenny Purchase – Handmade Leather Clutch Bags by Jenny Purchase
- Leren Connor – Eclectic Eccentricity by Leren Connor
- Tamara Joseph – Winner of the Midlands Independent Designer of the Year Award 2012
- Oddly Enough – High Quality and Handmade Upcycled Accessories by Erica Godfrey
- SJA – Hand Drawn Celebrity T-shirts by Sam Andrews
- The Vintage Afternoon Hire Company – An exquisite selection of vintage crockery, furniture, accessories and props by Alex Harris and Bryony Marriott
By Emma Riordan
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