I am finally ready to write again after three months of 'work-detox' period. This is the first entry since I went on my sabbatical, and I am writing solely because I feel like it, rather than seeing it as some kind of obligation.
After running the business for over six years (plus a [...]

The vibrant Chapel market
 
Gentrification in many parts of London has turned the city a soulless place dominated by chains and corporate companies. When I was a student a long time ago, my cousin and I hired a stall selling vintage fashion at the Camden Stables market, and it had a very [...]

 
We will be popping up with our Japanese partner Di Classe for 4 days next week from 30th November until 3rd Dec in Angel just off Chapel Market. This is the first pop-up shop that we organised and we are very excited!
The idea of doing a joint Christmas pop up shop came [...]

Hall 6 at Maison et objet
 
The term 'enochlophobia' means fear of crowds, a phobia that I suspect I have – mildly. Although I don't experience blackouts or panic attacks in crowded places, I do feel overwhelmed, as if my energy is being sucked out of me, and I often feel exhausted afterwards.
This [...]

 
Left: Selecting products for the Christmas fairs; Right: New postcards with info of the Christmas fairs
 
Since our e-shop first started 5 years ago (I can't believe it has been 5 years already!), we have participated in different pop-up Christmas fairs around London. They serve as our opportunity to meet customers/ potential [...]

Charlene's initial draft of the home page
 
The initial idea of selling art books and zines emerged about 2 years ago, stemming from my passion for printed matters and reading. Having launched three themes focusing solely on products, it seems like a change of direction to sell books, magazines and zines. Yet I [...]

Installation by Rive Roshan using Kvadrat Divina
 
This year, Tent London & Super Brands London celebrated its 10th anniversary and was rebranded as London Design Fair. The fair at the Old Truman brewery hosted over 500 exhibitors from 29 countries, making it the most international fair of the Festival. Exhibitors include independent designers [...]

 
Designjunction in Kings Cross's Granary Square
 
This year, Designjunction moved from Holborn to Kings Cross, and it was indeed a good move. Instead of cramming hundreds of stands and outlets into huge abandoned buildings, this year's show was split into four areas around the Granary Square. It was easier to navigate and [...]

'Elytra Filament Pavilion' by experimental architect Achim Menges with Moritz Dörstelmann, structural engineer Jan Knippers and climate engineer Thomas Auer.

 
What is going to happen to the UK in the future? It is hard to tell. As a multicultural mega city, how will London cope with the aftermath of Brexit? And what can [...]

 
Three weekends of Christmas market at the Barbican Centre
 
I admit that I am not a natural salesperson. I have always worked behind the scenes, and selling face to face is a 'skill' that I had to learn when I started this business.
I know that popping up once a year is not [...]