A bi-annual barometer for what alternative fashion will favour in the season ahead, the LondonEdge trade show occupies Kensington’s Olympia every February and September, and gives retail buyers an opportunity to cast their eye over hundreds of collections by alt. designers from across the globe. As the autumn event approaches, SinZine selects some highlights to head for.
Let's face it, the main way that we tell the world that we walk an alternative path to the masses is via the clothes we wear. Between the 4th and 6th of September at Olympia, London there is an exhibition that will shape what even those of us who feel we do not follow fashion will be wearing in the near future. A trade fair aimed solely at the alternative fashion retail industry, it will see designers that are either cutting edge or left of centre exhibiting their latest creations to an eager audience of buyers and retailers. Oh and I'm going too.
The show is split into three sections; London Central is aimed at the more mainstream designer market, but with a cutting edge attitude, The Edge is for the skateboarder/adrenaline junkie market but the London Edge is aimed squarely at the alternative community. Exhibitors from all over the world are coming to the exhibition, and the company putting on the event also plan to make it a show case for music and extreme sports. The London Edge will cover punk, 40's, 50s, 60's, 70's, 80's nostalgia, rock, industrial punk, tattoo, rockabilly, cyber, hotrod, steam punk, heavy metal, rockabilly, festival ethnic, gothic, biker to name a few.
SinZine office favourites Toxico will be there, unveiling new lines plus continuing their already famous lines. The classic styling of the Redneck Workwear range, plus the wardrobe standards of their Tees, Vests, Sweats etc will be there as well as new accessories, such as bags and jewellery. www.toxico.co.uk
Toxico
The independent punk label Charles of London will debut at London Edge. Expect tops, jackets and dresses for women with studs and iconic imagery plus menswear and accessories. Visit www.charlesoflondon.com to see their designs.
Puerto Rican designer Mementum Mori will be there for the first time in the UK, who will bring a great range of dresses, men’s shirts, baby clothing and more, adorned with horror-inspired prints and Latin American tattoo art.
German exhibitor Longtime Gothic will also debut at London Edge, showing a range of bags and shirts featuring gothic illustrations. Their stand will feature three brands including Longtime Gothic, Creepy Creatures and Violet. See more at www.longtime-gothic.de.
Flying in from Long Beach, California is Leatherette Heart with ‘rock ’n’ roll clothes for rock ‘n’ roll people’. Designer Liz Abbott will be exhibiting a broad range of womenswear including corsets, jumpsuits, dresses and jackets alongside fun hair accessories featuring toy cars, fake food and mini birds! Colours include fuchsia, steel and black plus hand silk-screened graphic prints with fabrics such as waffle twill, stretch denim and silver lurex. Eclectic, fun and fierce!
VintEdge
Also hailing from the USA is RockLove from Staten Island who will bring their handmade silver jewellery to the show in September. From chess-piece necklaces to nautical keychains, this jewellery is fun, quirky and alternative – right up our street! And that's just a tiny cross section of who'll be there.
There is also a large vintage section, with original clothing from The Vintage Wholesale Company and reworked vintage and vintage inspired from The New Vintage Clothing Company.
I'll be there on the first day exploring what will be hot, desirable and on our streets soon, so watch this space. If you are a designer or wholesaler and fancy exhibiting at LondonEdge visit their website for details www.londonedge.com
I've also heard that they may be looking for alt models, so if that is you then get your agent (or yourself pretending to be an agent) to contact the organisers.
As a shopping addict I must admit I'm really looking forward to it. One of the perks of being a journalist eh?
Charles of London
