Centrally located a stones throw from Marble Arch, Potassium on Seymour Place provides classic mens and womens clothing such as Original Penguin alongside ethically-sourced emerging labels, including Frank & Faith, Laundry Maid Jeans, Kuyichi and Komodo, who have all exhibited at Margin London. With limited-edition homewares, gifts and furniture, Potassium is a true concept store in the original sense with each lifestyle item handpicked.
http://www.potassiumstore.co.uk
For their a/w 2008-09 editions, the London trade shows (TBC, Margin and The Park, held February 10 to 11; Pure, held February 10 to 12) all went through something of a renaissance – for better or worse – revealing either new formats, sections or management.
The womenswear show Pure following on from last season’s successful revamp of the Spirit section, the area catering to the young and urban retail segment, saw the launch of Pure Footwear this season. Showcasing a varied mix of labels ranging from Terry De Havilland, Terra Plana, Audley and Melissa to Rocket Dog, Snowjoggers and J Shoes, the space provided a versatile footwear platform that proved a hit with the buyers.
Another new feature at Pure was the Spirit Catwalk Show. Desigual, Entoomemetto and Piezak were some of the new labels exhibiting for the first time at Spirit who also showed their designs on the catwalk.
Change was in the air even at TBC. After a disappointing last season with exhibitor numbers reduced and the show lacking in energy, hopes were high as the new organizing body, Idex Media, stepped in to revamp the show, promising to give it a new lease of life and a more international appeal.
When approaching the show venue it was already clear that TBC had changed hands: huge signposts helped steer visitors in the right direction, unlike in previous seasons when they were confusingly scattered around the streets. Despite the brownie points awarded for organizational skills and corporate value, the new format lacked creativity: the sterile, carpeted space counteracted the energy of the labels on show, and failed to convey the edginess of London street culture that visitors and exhibitors ultimately come to experience, aside from getting down to business.
On the exhibitors’ side, the selection shrank to only about 60 labels including Ringspun, WESC, Garbstone, Farah, Edwin Jeans, Lost Property, Boxfresh, Monkey Genes and Skunkfunk.
The buzz that was lacking at TBC was to be indulged in at Margin (margin.tv) – this is a show that nicely captures the young and edgy London vibe with its laid-back feel and energetic array of young labels. The news of the season here materialized in Traidfare, a new section featuring ethically sourced, and in some cases also organically produced, collections from brands such as Komodo, Organic Stereo, and Cyclus.
Images from Margin London in February 2008
Yamama
Trousers London
Double Goose
The Herbaliser wearing Double Goose at Margin London
Kuyichi Pure Premium Denim
Komodo
Justin Hustlin
M.Y Clothing
Regenerate
Brandnativa with Cyclus
InsideOut Agency with Rise-Up, Organic Stereo, Kuyichi and Livity
Margin gears up for LFW
Wednesday, 06 February 2008
Margin has expanded the show by opening up an addtional 20% of floorspace to make room for the growing number of exciting UK and International start-ups looking to exhibit in London during London Fashion Week. Margin will be showcasing its biggest show to date and this season as expanded its Magazine and Media Lounge. The show, which has grown to over 90 exhibitors, is one of the UK’s most diverse selection of Mens and Womens streetwear exhibitors.
Known amongst industry insiders as the key show for sourcing new labels, the February 2008 edition will feature 80% of exhibitors making their global debut. Originally established to provide a relevant showcase for upscale streetwear brands such as Dephect, Lost Property and Ames Bros, the show has expanded gradually and carefully each season to encompass additional product areas.
The sharp tailoring and elegant designerwear of the Kreateur area has been honed each season to highlight cutting-edge garments with labels such as Social Suicide, Missmilne, Emily & Fin, and Dusty. In August, the new accessories area GILD was added to the show to focus on directional accessories ranges by new brands such as Punky Pins, Pik & Pokket, Prod, and Zillion who will be exhibited in the February GILD.
New for February 2008, Margin has added an area for eco-aware streetwear labels called TraidFare , highlighting brands that use organic fabrics and manufacture responsibly and sustainably such as Kuyichi, Komodo, THTC, Organic Stereo, Regenerate, Rise-Up, Moly Kulte and Jumble and others.
Margin will take place on the 10th 11th & 12th February 2008 at The Vinyl Factory Gallery in Soho , map online at www.margin.tv/map
MPDclick Website
margin will expand trade show by 20% (gbr)
Margin has expanded the show by opening up an additional 20% of floor space to make room for the growing number of exciting UK and International start-ups looking to exhibit in London during London Fashion Week. By opening up a previously unused area of the Margin venue to make for a larger Magazine and Media Lounge, the February 2008 edition has grown to over 90 exhibitors to create the largest curated selection of men’s and women’s streetwear exhibitors in Central London. By hand-picking great brands that Margin considers relevant and exciting to contemporary buyers and press, Margin has created the largest show to date and a one-stop selection in the very centre of London in Soho.
Margin is well known amongst key buyers and press for providing an affordable launch pad for new labels and the February 2008 edition is no exception with over 80% of exhibitors making their global debut. Originally established to provide a relevant showcase for upscale streetwear brands such as Dephect, Lost Property and Ames Bros, the show has expanded gradually and carefully each season to encompass additional product areas.
The sharp tailoring and elegant designer wear of the Kreateur area has been honed each season to highlight cutting-edge garments with labels such as Social Suicide, Missmilne, Emily & Fin, and Dusty. In August, the new accessories area GILD was added to the show to focus on directional accessories ranges by new brands such as Punky Pins, Pik & Pokket, Prod, and Zillion who will be exhibited in the February GILD.
New for February 2008, Margin has added an area for eco-aware street wear labels called TraidFare, highlighting brands that use organic fabrics and manufacture responsibly and sustainably such as Kuyichi, Komodo, THTC, Organic Stereo, Regenerate, Rise-Up, Moly Kulte and Jumble and others. Margin will take place on the 10th 11th & 12th February 2008 at The Vinyl Factory Gallery in Soho
NEWS +
Margin has expanded the show by opening up an addtional 20% of floorspace to make room for the growing number of exciting UK and International start-ups looking to exhibit in London during London Fashion Week +
By opening up a previously unused area of the Margin venue to make for a larger Magazine and Media Lounge, the February 2008 edition has grown to over 90 exhibitors to create the largest curated selection of Mens and Womens streetwear exhibitors in Central London + By hand-picking great brands that Margin considers relevant and exciting to contemporary buyers and press, Margin has created our largest show to date and a one-stop selection in the very centre of London in Soho +
Margin is well known amongst key buyers and press for providing an affordable launchpad for new labels and the February 2008 edition is no exception with over 80% of exhibitors making their global debut +
Originally established to provide a relevant showcase for upscale streetwear brands such as Dephect, Lost Property and Ames Bros, the show has expanded gradually and carefully each season to encompass additional product areas.
The sharp tailoring and elegant designerwear of the Kreateur area has been honed each season to highlight cutting-edge garments with labels such as Social Suicide, Missmilne, Emily & Fin, and Dusty.
In August, the new accessories area GILD was added to the show to focus on directional accessories ranges by new brands such as Punky Pins, Pik & Pokket, Prod, and Zillion who will be exhibiting in the February GILD.
New for February 2008, Margin has added an area for eco-aware streetwear labels called TraidFare , highlighting brands that use organic fabrics and manufacture responsibly and sustainably such as Kuyichi, Komodo, THTC, Organic Stereo, Regenerate, Rise-Up, Moly Kulte and Jumble and other ethical fashion brands.
Margin will take place on the 10th 11th & 12th February 2008 at The Vinyl Factory Gallery in Soho , map online at www.margin.tv/map
PARTIES +
Margin is hosting two parties during London Fashion Week +
The first pre-show party takes place on Saturday the 9th February with Deers DJ’s Laurents from Bread & Honey, Kitsune’s Jerry Bouthier, and DJ Paulette from Mix Paris.
The second mid-show party takes place on Monday the 11th February organised by Margin exhibitors Bantum, Death Industries England, M.Y Clothing, Marmalade Ho and Regenerate, with DJ Example and Elementz, and UK Championship breakdancers Imperial Steps.
CD & SOUNDTRACK +
Margin is pleased to be welcoming New York record label Nublu Records to Margin London in February 2008. Nublu will be providing the backing soundtrack to the three days of the show as well as a limited-edition Margin x Nublu CD exclusively for Margin visitors +
ART +
PIMP ART is the new artist agency and subsidiary arm of the PIMP collective which incorparates the magazines, Pimp Guides. The PIMP platform has formed a roster of some of the most prolific artists worldwide, boasting highly-respected and internationally-acclaimed fine and graphic artists, graffiti writers, photographers and illustrators. Pimp will be installing their art in the Magazine Lounge at Margin London in February 2008 +
REFRESHMENT +
Margin is pleased to welcome back Firefly Tonics who will be providing complimentary refreshments for Margin visitors in February 2008 + With a range of healthy drinks that are sugar-free, Firefly Tonics are a blend of herbs and fruit juices created by expert herbalists + With names such as “Wake Up”, “Chill Out”, “De-tox”, “Love Potion” and “Health Kick”, the self-explanatory tonics are a natural way to refresh and revitalise + www.fireflytonics.com
MISSION + Margin exists to promote young upscale streetwear labels. The Original and the best platform for new talent for the over 6 years, Margin was established to help new labels reach a wider buying and press audience. Margin was created out of necessity. Retailers travel the world looking for the next big thing but are never going to find up-and-coming labels at a show whose costs prohibit fresh talent. The main drive of Margin was to establish a show where new young labels could find an affordable platform.
Fashion Monitor News Margin introduces new exhibition area TraidFare Fashion The organisers of London-based trade exhibition Margin have announced the introduction of new area TraidFare for the next event in February 2008 - see events. The section will focus on Fair Trade and organic clothing and include collections from streetwear and casualwear labels that ensure their products and fabrics are manufactured ethically and free from chemicals. Margin has always featured fairly-traded and eco-aware labels but an increase in the number of them now warrants a dedicated area. Brands including Komodo, Organic Stereo, and THTC will be showcased at the event which takes place at the The Vinyl Factory Gallery in London’s Soho. www.margin.tv www.traidfare.com www.fashionmonitor.co.uk
News In Brief
Margin will launch a new section called TraidFare, dedicated to ethical brands, at the streetwear show next month. The area will feature brands including Komodo, Moly Kulte, Rise Up, Van Markoviec Green Fashion, Regenerate and Teori Co. Margin takes place at the Vinyl Factory Gallery in London’s Foubert’s Place on February 10-12.
UK-based eco-aware label Komodo was established in 1988, long before words like ethical, organic and sustainable were applied to clothing.
Komodo is celebrating 20 years as an ethical business, still independent and still working with many of the same family-run factories in Bali and Kathmandu that they started out with at the end of the 80’s. It is the style of these long term partnerships and joint commitments to find better ways to make more eco-friendly products that defines ’sustainability’ and ‘fair business’. Mens and Womenswear are designed with style first and foremost, backed up with organic textiles and ethical manufacturing. + info@komodo.co.uk
A Fair-Trade Trade-Fair for Ethically-sourced, Eco-aware,
Sustainable & Organic Fashion from directional streetwear and
casualwear designers in London +
Margin is pleased to announce the introduction of a new exhibition area called TraidFare to showcase directional Fair Trade and organic clothing.
Consumers are more environmentally aware than ever and retailers are increasingly looking for directional product that fits the green demand.
TraidFare will highlight collections from streetwear and casualwear labels that ensure their collections are manufactured ethically from chemical-free fabrics.
As most of the exhibitors at leading London upscale streetwear event Margin are brand new start-ups with home-grown manufacturing, the show has always featured exhibitors with fair-trade eco-aware ranges. The increased amount of sustainable fashion for the February 2008 edition demanded its own area.
Featuring ethically-sourced collections from brands such as Komodo, Rise Up, Cyclus, Moly Kulte, Teori and Markoviec, TraidFare will provide a much-needed affordable platform in London for clothing and accessories with a conscience.
The February 2008 edition of Margin featuring TraidFare will take place during London Fashion Week on the 10th to 12th of February 2008 at The Vinyl Factory Gallery in Soho London.
