5 Market Weekend Market-Musts!

1. Shop Handmade at Old Spitalfields Market

Brighton Belles Makers at Old Spitalfields

Crystal Peace and Love Ring

On Saturday there was a fantastic array of handmade products and it was a great pleasure to soak up the creative juices of the different stall holders on show. Brighton Belles brought colour and jazz in the form of different makers who came from Brighton for the day to trade. They’ll be back with their Vintage Wedding Fair on Oct 26. 

Dribble Bibs by Ginga-Baby at Old Spitlafields

ILM bought: Baby Dribble Bibs 3 for £12 (right) from Ginga-Baby and this unique Peace & Love crystal ring by 

Point 618 Designs.

The much-loved African Market also made an appearance on Saturday. Great for original handmade products. The next African Market is on Oct 26th.

 

2.  Flavour Town Bakery

Bringing their gourmet cupcakes to East London, trying and buying is a MUST! It's a sexual experience. In fact, we recommend Flavourtown Bakery so much, we bore ourselves. I have to confess to buying 18 cakes on Saturday. Sticky Toffee Pudding was to-die-for. You can buy 4 for £8 which is a bloody good deal. Join their Facebook page to claim their weekly freebie every weekend at Old Spitalfields Market. 

Truly scrumptious Flavourtown Bakery cupcakes every weekend at Old Spitalfeilds Market

3. Toilet Life Pop-Up Vintage Market

Public Life Vintage Market, Spitalfields E1

 We love novel market pop-ups and you don't get a more original setting that this! Yes - it used to be a public toilet! Now better known as Public Life, it's actually a cool little bar by night, but every Saturday you'll find it transformed into this vintage gem. Outside the Christ Church in Spitalfields. 

Public Life Vintage Pop-Up

Public Life Vintage outside Christ Church, Commercial Rd, E1

4. The Netil Market Experience

The Netil Market experience. Hackney, E5

If you haven't already heard of it, you should have! This market is set behind Broadway Market in Hackney, E8 and runs every Saturday. Netil Market only comes alive after midday and attracts an uber-cool Hackney crowd. Market stalls traders can be found alongside some permanent traders who have set-up shop in Shack Alley. You'll find a bit of vintage, jewellery, arts and crafts. Also very popular for a spot of lunch. View the traders. We'll get on to that next!

5. Get LUCKY!

Netil Market is where the legendary Lucky Chip found their fame and fortune. Yes, it was the most expensive market bite I've ever had (£25 for 2 people!), but YES it was worth it. Next-time around I'd recommend skipping the expensive coke in a bottle and stick to burger and fries at a tenner a head. You get waitress service too!

The Luck Chip Burger at Netil Market, Hackney

The Saturday Market Trail

Just a couple of markets but plenty of action and most importantly, one satisfied customer! Here is The Saturday Market Trail. One Saturday, lots of great market experiences.

Late morning market action this Saturday began in Hoxton, so where better to start the journey than Hoxton Street Market, in Hackney N1. Currently ongoing positive change, I've been frequenting the top of Hoxton Street more lately due to the arrival of the Hoxton Bakery. The Hoxton loaf and scrumptious sausage rolls keep me coming back. This morning i continued my journey through Hoxton Street market and was delighted to see the new array of food stalls selling fresh produce and serving up tasty bites. One stall that was proving popular brought the simplicity of fresh eggs. 

£1.45 for half a dozen Norfolk whites, no wonder folk were queuing!

It should be noted that you can't even get a pack of battery farm eggs from the local Tesco Metro for less than £1.80. That's what markets are all about!

Another Hoxton Street favourite of mine is Anderson's Bakery, so i was delighted to see them spilling out of the shop, running their own market stall. I was happy to pick up to scotch pies and what a great Sunday supper they made.

 

Anderson's Bakery and the Hoxton Bakery at Hoxton Street Market

Once Hoxton Street Market was complete i continued to cycle down Hoxton Street to Old Street. Destination- Old Spitalfields Market. Today is is a shrine to Africa where the African Market is running every 4th Saturday of the month. I was met by a fantastic collage of African prints, colours and gleaming faces. It was a delight to see Old Spitalfields Market celebrate African. 

The African Market at Old Spitalfields, E1

If you like African prints, colours and culture, then this is definitely the place for you. Although prints prevail, the different traders all had their unique identities and offerings. The gentlemen below from Lekan was kind enough to send me away with a free sample of his raw shea butter. A lush and ethical product. The adorable rag dolls (right) were the making of Anaisarts.

Traders at The African Market, Old Spitalfields, E1

I also couldn't resist the handmade crafts of Cameroon and had to walk away with this purse from Botilam. A steal at £20. Apparently Paul Smith were selling the exact same ones for a few hundred!

No trip to Old Spitalfields Market on a Saturday would be complete without a visit to the very special Flavourtown Bakery. There gourmet cupcakes really are to die for. The best i've ever tasted! 

Flavourtown Bakery, Gourmet Cupcakes. Old Spitalfields Market, E1

Walked away with a peanut butter delight as well as their Facebook freebie of the week - Hazlenut Dipper! Yes, you heard it here first. Join their Facebook fanpage and get a free cup cake when you visit them! They do a different flavour every week.

If you want to share your weekend market trail with us, then we'd love to hear from you. 

Love shopping at London's Markets? Join us at www.ilovemarkets.co.uk

Katie Ingham, I Love Markets

Furtastic Vintage!

I couldn’t resist starting off the New Year by visiting Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair at Old Spitalfields on Saturday. I’ve been to Judy’s before in Bethnal Green and the quality of the stalls this time around at Spitalfields was a lot better and still all pretty affordable. January is definitely the time when stall holders have their own sales and annual blitzing. So many sellers told me “this all isn’t my usual stuff but…” 

I guess what’s nice about stalling at “vintage” markets and fairs in comparison to a regular fashion market is that it should attract a dedicated following of vintage fanatics who are keen to spend their money! Like 1940's lady of war, Sarah from Germany (below). 

Vintage does often offer a cheaper alternative to tourists on a low budget but as a seller of vintage it’s always much more rewarding when you sell something to someone who really appreciates it. 

As a shopper fur was definitely on the menu for me. I fell in love with this beautiful knitted cape and it’s Peruvian boho decoration. 

At £55 unfortunately it wasn’t within my budget and there is always the worry of being targeted by self-righteous fur police for wearing it! There was an abundance of beautiful fur jackets and accessories and lots of beautiful people not afraid to be wearing it.

I also LOVE these 1940s real fur broaches from Blondie’sRetro Vintage. This could spice up any plain old jacket or even handbag. A steal at just £12. 

 Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wearing vintage fur, you’re simply recycling. It’s not an attempt to make a statement or an invitation to enter a moral debate. Fashion is all about what looks good and let’s face it, vintage fur looks hot!  

Other Market Trends Spotted!

Paisley! and quite a lot of it in every shape and form! Loved this girls leggings.

Vintage knits were a popular shout too. The high street are selling their own modern versions, but you can’t beat the real thing. 

Shopping vintage is all about shopping authentic after all!

Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair takes place at Old Spitalfields Market every first saturday of the month. Stall holders from this fair can register their presence here, at www.ilovemarkets.com/spitalfields. To find out more about Old Spitalfields Market and surrounding markets click here.