It’s incredible to think that over the next two years, wannabe entrepreneurs will launch up to 3.4m pop-up shops across the UK.  I am all for these outfits who give creatives a real shop window on this consumer world of ours.  My issue is that by the time the word gets out they have often popped off. I guess that’s the point.
 
One not to be missed is Fine Cell Work’s Christmas pop-up at 34 Great Windmill Street, London W1D 7LR open until 22 December, Monday to Saturday 10am – 7pm. The shop is supported by Kit Kemp, trustee, huge supporter and one of the collaborators of this pioneering prison charity and social enterprise.

“Embroidery requires a lot of heart, which inspired the heart-shaped oak-leaf design. This is what Fine Cell Work is all about helping prisoners in a constructive way – and I’m thrilled to support them.” 
- Kit Kemp
 
Just around the corner from Kit Kemp’s Ham Yard Hotel is Fine Cell Work’s pop-up. Discover Kit Kemp’s exclusive soft furnishings in the form of her Fine Cell Work collaborations - cushions and lavender bags that make perfect presents that keep on giving for Christmas.  Her ‘Heart of Oak’ design reflects her joyful sense of colour and love of embroidery. Other interior designer collaborators include Ben Pentreath, Melissa Wyndham, John Stefanidis while Daisy de Villeneuve vintage art cushions head fashionable line.
 
The Christmas pop-up has a great selection of hand-stitched cushions in fabulous themes. There are also aprons, lavender bags, decorations made from British wool and beautifully embroidered Sway bags and even cross-stitched Christmas cards.
 
Time, love and care go into making each item. They are produced in British prisons as part of Fine Cell Work’s rehabilitation programme that teaches needlepoint and embroidery to 450 prisoners each year, encouraging them to come out with new employable skills and the hope of a better future.  
 
Pop into Fine Cell Work
34 Great Windmill Street, London W1D 7LR
Tel:  020 7931 9998
 
Christmas gifts and decorations also available online

It is just me or is Christmas getting earlier? Four festive film channels aired on the first of November and I am already weary of Monty and Mabel and penguin hash tags. Call me cynical, but that Penguin has already sold out at JL and is now going on EBay for £500. I certainly don’t want a bit of Monty in my Christmas.

But what I do want is more of the Pentreath & Hall’s of this world. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas now in Bloomsbury, and next Thursday 4th December seems just the right time for the festive shopping evening.

The beauty of Pentreath & Hall is the deeply discerning aesthetic of the team behind it. Together, architectural designer Ben and artist Bridie have created one of the most keenly watched stores in the London decoration world.  

The Christmas shop is now open and where else can you buy crackers lovingly handmade in Dorset covered in Judd Street Papers or wrappings based on stone floor and marble patterns by the great 18th century designer Batty Langley, and re-imagined by Pentreath & Hall? Bridie Hall’s handmade candles are now available in gift boxes with a new Covert fragrance that evokes the green smells of the forest, of pine branches and mossy banks. The shop has the best collection of decoupage in the country and toys – well, there are musical spinning wheels, vintage locomotives and that Educated Monkey must be one of the funniest ways to learn your times tables.

For those unable to visit the shop there is an excellent website and deliveries of handsomely wrapped brown paper parcels are made worldwide.

Pentreath & Hall
17 Rugby Street
London WC1N 3QT
www.benpentreath.com

The fashionable home has come of age. Fashionable brands branch out into homes and interiors take inspiration from the catwalks. This collaborative spirit is catching and is shared amongst like-minded brands.

Latest creative collisions include Barbara Hulanicki for Graham & Brown, Louis Vuitton and Cassina, Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little and the many fashioner designers who bring their style to The Rug Company.

Now here is another match tailored in heaven courtesy of two leading ladies of the cloth.

Interiors and fashion collide in a capsule collection that sees Katherine Hooker’s beautifully cut jackets handmade in de Le Cuona’s beautifully woven fabrics. Only the finest fabrics are used to make these tailored, timeless pieces.

Bernie de Le Cuona’s name is synonymous with unique fabric such as her signature gutsy raw linens, fine wool paisley, couture cashmere and silky velvet. Katherine Hooker is a British company that has been hitting the nail on the head of luxe-minimal for eleven years.  Both have shared desire for uniqueness and an appreciation of artisan authenticity.

This exciting new collaboration is launched at a tailor-made shopping and cocktail party at de Le Cuona’s new outpost on the Pimlico Road, from 6-8pm on Tuesday 2 December.

You can even order a custom Katherine Hooker de Le Cuona couture jacket in time for Christmas and explore de Le Cuona’s Autumn Winter Crocodile and Cashmere accessories collection.

Call 020 7730 0944 to book a place.

de Le Cuona
44 Pimlico Road
London SW1

delecuona.com

katherinehooker.com