One silver lining to emerge in the pandemic is our renewed appreciation for independent retailers. Shop local! Support your high street! Keep small businesses alive! Community-driven messages like these were everywhere at the start of lockdown and it's a positive shopping habit we intend to commit to now that restrictions have eased up. According to the Centre for Retail Research, 20,600 stores are expected to close forever by the end of the year. We can reduce this number not only by buying from small boutiques but by positively rating them online, buying gift vouchers to use in the future, and telling friends and family about them via social media.
Keeping these stores alive and well is important for a strong economy, thriving communities and a varied high street offering but from a sustainability angle, these retailers are also more likely to ensure that everyone along the supply chain is fairly paid and that items are sourced ethically and responsibly. Better curated stock tends to mean less waste, too.
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Ahead you'll find our favourite indie boutiques, from the Manchester-based store stocking sweetie-like jewellery to the Brooklyn brand bringing together the coolest contemporary labels under one roof.
Studio B
After seven years of working in buying and merchandising for the likes of Mulberry, Matches Fashion and Anya Hindmarch, Bethany Rowntree made the jump to found Studio B. The Insta-favourite boutique offers a curated edit of independent brands which Bethany finds too special not to share and support. "Buying less and buying better" is Studio B's ethos; here you'll find dreamy lingerie label Dora Larsen, Danish exports Stine Goya, Baum und Pferdgarten and Munthe, cult favourites Sleeper and Faithfull The Brand, and kitsch jewellery brand Wilhelmina Garcia. Based in south London, it's our go-to indie boutique for comfy nap dresses and cosy knits.
After seven years of working in buying and merchandising for the likes of Mulberry, Matches Fashion and Anya Hindmarch, Bethany Rowntree made the jump to found Studio B. The Insta-favourite boutique offers a curated edit of independent brands which Bethany finds too special not to share and support. "Buying less and buying better" is Studio B's ethos; here you'll find dreamy lingerie label Dora Larsen, Danish exports Stine Goya, Baum und Pferdgarten and Munthe, cult favourites Sleeper and Faithfull The Brand, and kitsch jewellery brand Wilhelmina Garcia. Based in south London, it's our go-to indie boutique for comfy nap dresses and cosy knits.
Stine Goya Mavelin Dress Grid, $235.00 Buy
Baum Und Pferdgarten Cerra Jumper Clematis Blue Mouline, $115.00 Buy
Sleeper Maxi Dress Brigitte in Navy, $220.00 Buy
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T.A.
Telsha Anderson succeeded in launching her concept store T.A. against all odds. Despite the IRL location in New York's Meatpacking District having only been open since early July (y'know, right in the middle of a global pandemic) and the online store for just four months, T.A. is already thriving. Telsha sources her stock of cool contemporary labels everywhere from Tbilisi to Peru, Paris to South Korea. You'll find zingy Emma Charles accessories, architectural earrings from Lady Grey and serotonin-boosting dresses from Ellery alongside cutting-edge coffee table books and vintage magazines. We'll take the lot.
Telsha Anderson succeeded in launching her concept store T.A. against all odds. Despite the IRL location in New York's Meatpacking District having only been open since early July (y'know, right in the middle of a global pandemic) and the online store for just four months, T.A. is already thriving. Telsha sources her stock of cool contemporary labels everywhere from Tbilisi to Peru, Paris to South Korea. You'll find zingy Emma Charles accessories, architectural earrings from Lady Grey and serotonin-boosting dresses from Ellery alongside cutting-edge coffee table books and vintage magazines. We'll take the lot.
Priscavera Open Back Print Mesh Dress, $332.62 Buy
Emma Charles Blue Lady Gwen Bag, $541.40 $379.13 Buy
Lady Grey Thur Hoops, $129.95 Buy
Joan The Store
After cutting her teeth in buying at Opening Ceremony, Avenue 32 and Very Exclusive, Cat Hocking founded Joan The Store back in 2017 as a home for independent, emerging and contemporary labels that weren't widely represented in the UK. Based in London, Joan pitches itself as more of a collaborative project than a straight-up boutique, with designers, photographers and creatives all contributing their unique vision to the store. Currently you'll find 35 exciting names on site, from Seoul Import's collectable hair accessories to House of Sunny's sustainable sellout pieces via By Far's cult shoes and Sandralexandra's fruit salad jewels.
After cutting her teeth in buying at Opening Ceremony, Avenue 32 and Very Exclusive, Cat Hocking founded Joan The Store back in 2017 as a home for independent, emerging and contemporary labels that weren't widely represented in the UK. Based in London, Joan pitches itself as more of a collaborative project than a straight-up boutique, with designers, photographers and creatives all contributing their unique vision to the store. Currently you'll find 35 exciting names on site, from Seoul Import's collectable hair accessories to House of Sunny's sustainable sellout pieces via By Far's cult shoes and Sandralexandra's fruit salad jewels.
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Baserange Ankle Socks, $24.00 Buy
Hosbjerg Zebra Print Coat, $390.00 $195.00 Buy
La Manso Lego Ego Ring, $45.00 Buy
The Folklore
The Folklore is a multi-brand concept store based in New York which celebrates labels from Africa and the diaspora. From jewellery and clothing to shoes, bags and homeware, sustainability is key – most pieces are handmade by local artisans in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire. The Folklore only carries a very limited stock of each item so it's first come, first served. We also love the brand's podcast, Our Folklore, in which editors, photographers, tech founders and musicians from across the world are invited to sit down and chat with founder Amira Rasool about the creativity and talent they're inspired by from Africa and the diaspora.
The Folklore is a multi-brand concept store based in New York which celebrates labels from Africa and the diaspora. From jewellery and clothing to shoes, bags and homeware, sustainability is key – most pieces are handmade by local artisans in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire. The Folklore only carries a very limited stock of each item so it's first come, first served. We also love the brand's podcast, Our Folklore, in which editors, photographers, tech founders and musicians from across the world are invited to sit down and chat with founder Amira Rasool about the creativity and talent they're inspired by from Africa and the diaspora.
Elle Est... Crescent Skirt, $277.34 Buy
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Pichulik Memory Abalone Earrings, $75.98 Buy
salt and suncreen Mintas One Piece Swimsuit, $91.81 Buy
July Child
Founded by Sinead Flood, Manchester-based July Child is a sweet shop of kitsch and cult brands for the jewellery-obsessed. Curating an edit of off-the-grid labels from New York to New Zealand, Sinead shares her favourite pieces in small-batch, sellout collections dropping throughout the year. Stocking the likes of Wilhelmina Garcia's Y2K butterfly motifs and Timeless Pearly's checkerboard charms, it's your one-stop shop for collectable pieces that'll take any outfit from zero to 10. Follow July Child on Instagram, too, for the best tips and tricks on layering your jewellery, from gold chains to chunky rings.
Founded by Sinead Flood, Manchester-based July Child is a sweet shop of kitsch and cult brands for the jewellery-obsessed. Curating an edit of off-the-grid labels from New York to New Zealand, Sinead shares her favourite pieces in small-batch, sellout collections dropping throughout the year. Stocking the likes of Wilhelmina Garcia's Y2K butterfly motifs and Timeless Pearly's checkerboard charms, it's your one-stop shop for collectable pieces that'll take any outfit from zero to 10. Follow July Child on Instagram, too, for the best tips and tricks on layering your jewellery, from gold chains to chunky rings.
Hola Amor Lilac Holiday Bracelet, $46.00 Buy
Timeless Pearly Checker Swirly Earrings, $199.00 Buy
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Wilhelmina García Butterfly Signet Ring, $130.00 Buy
Rêve En Vert
Cora Hilts and Natasha Tucker cofounded Rêve En Vert – French for 'dream in green' – back in 2013, turning their passion for sustainable and ethical consumption into the premier luxury retailer for fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Every brand featured on the carefully curated site must meet Rêve En Vert's four pillars: the use of organic and natural materials; the use of upcycled and recycled materials; an appreciation of local communities and economies; fair supply chains and living wages. From linen and cotton co-ords perfect for summer holidays to handmade knitwear to see you through the colder months, you're spoiled with the number of conscious labels available.
Cora Hilts and Natasha Tucker cofounded Rêve En Vert – French for 'dream in green' – back in 2013, turning their passion for sustainable and ethical consumption into the premier luxury retailer for fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Every brand featured on the carefully curated site must meet Rêve En Vert's four pillars: the use of organic and natural materials; the use of upcycled and recycled materials; an appreciation of local communities and economies; fair supply chains and living wages. From linen and cotton co-ords perfect for summer holidays to handmade knitwear to see you through the colder months, you're spoiled with the number of conscious labels available.
General Sleep Paloma Set In Navy Gingham, $155.00 Buy
Organic Basics Invisible Cheeky Body In White, $40.00 Buy
Archivist Studio Elsa White Shirt, $165.00 Buy
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Not Just Another Store
New kid on the block Not Just Another Store is a community retail space which breaks the boundaries of a traditional multi-brand boutique. Collaborating with various creatives and designers to host events, installations and exhibitions, it's based on Shoreditch's Redchurch Street and with an edit of designers including cult favourites like Anissa Kermiche, Mondo Mondo and Sandy Liang, it's the spot to pick up your existing favourites but also to discover new labels from across the world.
New kid on the block Not Just Another Store is a community retail space which breaks the boundaries of a traditional multi-brand boutique. Collaborating with various creatives and designers to host events, installations and exhibitions, it's based on Shoreditch's Redchurch Street and with an edit of designers including cult favourites like Anissa Kermiche, Mondo Mondo and Sandy Liang, it's the spot to pick up your existing favourites but also to discover new labels from across the world.
Not Just Another Store Green Tie Dye Jumper, $65.00 Buy
Not Just Another Store Statement Lia Dress, $295.00 Buy
Not Just Another Store Are You Buckle Sleeveless, $80.00 Buy
Cult Mia
If you're looking for undiscovered gems from Tulum to Beirut, recently-launched Cult Mia is your wardrobe's global marketplace. Founder Nina Brener-Hellmund - previously of Moda Operandi - travels the world unearthing the coolest local labels in swimwear, accessories and ready-to-wear, meaning even if you can't get to Rio de Janeiro, you can support local craftspeople and own something unique - no more turning up to the third wedding of the summer with the same handbag as everyone else.
If you're looking for undiscovered gems from Tulum to Beirut, recently-launched Cult Mia is your wardrobe's global marketplace. Founder Nina Brener-Hellmund - previously of Moda Operandi - travels the world unearthing the coolest local labels in swimwear, accessories and ready-to-wear, meaning even if you can't get to Rio de Janeiro, you can support local craftspeople and own something unique - no more turning up to the third wedding of the summer with the same handbag as everyone else.
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James Smith White Croc Messina Mules, $160.00 Buy
CHITÈ MILANO Lolita Royal Blue Set, $95.00 Buy
Janashia Renne Earrings, $100.00 Buy
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