Banish all thoughts of naff grottos, overplayed carols and festive tat – this is a Christmas store with a difference. We’ve teamed up with Marina Guergova, founder of The Basics Store and Marina London, to open Give & Receive, a lifestyle concept store appearing in Seven Dials for two weeks from December 8.
The two-floor hub will bring together the hottest up-and-coming independent designers and brands that you’ve been coveting on Instagram into one beautifully curated IRL space, alongside festive food, drinks and creative workshops. So whether you want to give or receive (or both), this is the place to buy original gifts bought directly from the talented people who made them.
The Brands
Like a contemporary department store, the 2,500 sq. ft. space will be split into easy-to-browse lovingly curated sections. On the ground floor, there’s sustainable ethical womenswear from The Acey, organic hair and beauty products picked by Glasshouse Salon, kids clothes from Cissy Wears, mystical delights from Wolf Sister. Downstairs, you’ll find a haven of furniture and homeware including chemical-free candles from EYM, Francesca Gentilli’s vintage Berber rugs, prints by Hôtel Magique, handmade sweary ceramics by KANA, and much more. These brands are all unique to Covent Garden, and for many of the online-only brands, this will be the only place you can check them out IRL this Christmas.
The People
Give & Receive isn’t only about the selection of products, it’s also a celebration of the incredible people who make them. Some of the founders themselves will be onsite on different days to chat to shoppers about their products, help them pick out the perfect purchase and in some cases, personalise items. They’ll also be hosting workshops to share their skills. Scroll down to find out more.
The Food
Banish thoughts of mulled wine and mince pies. Instead, Clerkenwell’s finest brewers Good & Proper Tea will be serving up a selection of warming teas, alongside sourdough crumpets from their 1974 Citroën-H van in the covered courtyard. Plus, boozy beverages from The Pickle House.
The Interior
The interior is as carefully curated as the products themselves. The pine-tree filled courtyard will be a wintery oasis illuminated by neon art. Once inside, shoppers will be greeted by an interactive display platform built by furniture and interior designer Fred Rigby who has created bespoke spaces for shops including Sefton, Citizens of Humanity and Folklore. Can’t decide what to buy? Head over to the curated gift guide displays where style icons including Rosa Park and Brittany Bathgate have chosen their favourite items. Downstairs, you’ll find the workshop space where you can meet the makers and take part in their classes.
The Workshops
For those feeling inspired, there are plenty of chances to unleash your creativity throughout December at one of the gift-making workshops, where you can learn to make terrariums with We are Leafage, create your own charm necklaces & bracelets with Alighieri, candles with Milkwood Margate, beauty products with Hackney Herbal, mystical crystals with Wolf Sister or jewellery with Workbench. You can even take a life-drawing class with the brilliant Alexandria Coe.
Where: The Stables at 40 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London, WC2H 9LH.
When: Monday to Friday: 10am - 8pm; Saturday: 10am - 7pm; Sunday: 11am - 6pm from Saturday, 8 December to Sunday, 23 December 2018.