Clerkenwell Vintage Fair

Yesterday, I Love Markets attended the Clerkenwell Vintage Fair at The Old Finsbury Town Hall. Now, being a lover of vintage clothing, this place resembled some sort of heaven. Situated in the large and very extravagant town hall, it was the perfect place to house all of these amazing clothes. I was astonished by the variety of products up for grabs. All kinds of clothing sourced from the 1920s up to the 80s, and mostly in very good condition. My only problem was I tend to get attracted to the 1940s clothes, where the women were evidently much smaller than today!  

Beehive was there selling 40s style dresses! 

 Vintage tea dresses from the 1930s & 40s and 50s were the main attraction, with hats; fascinators; gloves and jewellery available also. One of the stalls carried vintage Chanel; Pucci; Hermes and Ossie Clarke. Although way out of my price range, I did enjoy snooping around and admiring these well kept treasures. 

5-6-7-8 Vintage was at the fair selling her beautiful hand picked vintage clothes.

My favourite aspect of the day, was seeing a tailor/alterer have her own layout. This is such a good idea, as I find the only problem with vintage clothes is that they always need a bit of altering to get them fitting exactly how you want them.

In the back of the venue, there was a tea room set up with freshly baked cakes and scones. A lady dressed in her 50s gear, sung old fashioned tunes, whilst everyone enjoyed their cups of tea. 

I would definitely recommend anyone who loves vintage clothes/accessories to give the next fair a visit. It has been probably my favourite fair so far, and I came away with two dresses and a blouse! 

Discover London's best vintage markets at I Love Markets!

MARKETS UNITED Launches Online Shopping for London's Markets

On Sunday 5th May, we had a wide selection of Londoner's, passer-by's, tourists, and friends pile into Shoreditch Town Hall Basement to enjoy the eclectic products available to buy at Markets United. For the first time a collated collection of traders came together to represent the different markets that they trade at. Representing some of London's finest, the day was filled with good vibes and energy with lots of people browsing and buying unusual market goodies! As one trader put it, "We have met wonderful people and traders whom I don't usually meet at the Spitalfields."

The colourful Chido Bueno and their wonderful headdresses.

The first thing that caught people's attention was the unusual setting. The Shoreditch Town Hall Basement is a labyrinth of adjoining rooms, abandoned corridors and recessed nooks which traders took full advantage of when setting up our stalls. The industrial and distressed look of the venue gave us something to play around with, and made our launch different. Additional features included the London Markets Photo Exhibition, an art installation and a live music with alcohol provided by the fabulous Butler's Gin and Crate Brewery, both brewed in Hackney. 

 Above "Leaves" installation by Irma Pictures. 

Above, "The Discussion" by contest runner-up Bella Harwood. Taken at Brixton market

We had a variety of market stalls at our event selling lots of weird and wonderful things, including recyclable nappies, mosaics, vintage clothing, bicycles, knitwear, jewellery, kaleidoscopes and vinyl.

Here are Mosaics by Juan is Dead, available to buy online.

Above, Snakes and Fairies, available at Portobello Green Market. We love her handmade jewellery especially the ear cuffs and feather rings!

Above, Love Bessie's stall who specialises in arts and crafts such as gift cards, gift boxes and homeware, with her fabulous Fifty Shades of Dirty trilogy tea towels!

Here is a look at Narcissus Design's set up, who feature at Brick Lane's Backyard market, specialising in bespoke mirrors.

Above Mixy Fandino's stall. Her products are beautiful handcrafted jewellery from the Colombian Andes, currently selling on ILM.

Everyone loves a bit of vinyl! Find Ken from Della Record's every Saturday at Broadway market.

This is a part of Yallah Yallah's stall who normally showcases her unique finds at Portobello Green Market.

These Handmade Kaleidoscopes went down really well. They were also being engraved right there and then! They make the perfect gift!

We love! These dyed jade brackets by Elena Hall. Also Vintage by D'Burgin Fox kept punters happy and not forgetting the fabulous Amour Collier!

And we had a room filled with Full City Cycles! Ivan Angell (photo contest winner), caught a glimpse of his custom made Fixie! 

The Frenchie (below) tantalized visitors with the aroma of melted french cheese working it's way around the corridors. Live music was being enjoyed throughout the day, from musicians Dawson, Mosi Conde, Rayon, ShotGun Queen, Martha, The Hobos, Broken Boat and The Greasy Slicks. 

Above Music by Dawson

  Rayon

Above, Mosi Conde

 Shotgun Queen

Martha

 The Hobos

Broken Boat

 The Greasy Slicks

A BIG thank you to everyone who came down, or took part in the I Love Market's Launch Event 'Markets United' it was a great success! The event was proof that it's the PEOPLE that are so important in creating a fabulous market! 

Come and join in the online action at 

www.ilovemarkets.com

 

I Love Markets Photography Competition Winners

We believe London boasts some of the most diverse and interesting markets in the world and we asked you to prove it using the power of photography.  This is our I Love Markets Photography Competition Winners from 2013. 

We are pleased to announce the winners and runners up. Judged by Ronojoy Dam, UK Creative Director of VICE, the photos selected below will appear as part of our curated I Love Markets Photo Exhibition being held this Sunday May 5 at MARKETS UNITED, Shoreditch Town Hall Basement, FREE entry, Midday-9pm. Thank you to everyone who submitted entries. We hope to find more news homes for this exhibition over the coming months. Do come and check out the exhibition on Sunday where they'll be market stalls, photography, art, live music and more!

The Winner! 1st Prize

Ivan Angell, "Dance like no one is watching"

I Love Markets Photography Competition Winner, Ivan Angel, Brick Lane Market, "Dance like no one is watching"

Ivan says: "Brick Lane market is a constant inspiration for me. Around every corner is a marvellous expression of creativity. In this image the moody sky just adds to the drama of this sculpture adorning the skyline."
Ronjoy Dam's Comment: "This photo manages to capture grey British realism with a burst of colourful surrealism. The photographer has looked where others aren't, and been rewarded for it. The dancer looks like it might even have been drawn on as an afterthought."

2nd Prize

Motoko Fujita, "South East London's Diamond"

I Love Markets Photography Competition Winner, Motoko, Deptford Market

Motoko says: "Come down for a wander and you are bound to find a little something nice in that pile of junk at Deptford Market."

Ronjoy Dam's comments: "The colours from film always give a more special and everlasting memory. The scene is simple, but the soaring bird gives something everyday a sense of the epic."

3rd Prize

Dan Baiton, "Three legged dog at the market"

I Love Markets Photography Competition Winner, Columbia Road Flower Market, DanBaiton

Dan says: "Taken at Columbia  Road Market. An energetic street band were performing and they’d brought along their charismatic dog – who unfortunately had a leg missing.  The street band brought in a very large crowd,  and the shot was taken through the gaps of some of the audience, and luck had it that I was able to capture this image of the dog looking straight towards the camera."

Ronjoy Dam's Comments: "There's something timeless about the grain, contrast and scene of this picture. Was it taken last week or at the start of the last century? And with it it's about observing the unobserved, which makes it special."

Runners Up

Miles Kirby, "Hats With Feathers on Easter" Brick Lane

I Love Markets Photography Competition Runner-Up, Miles Kirby, Brick Lane Market

Ronjoy Dam's  Comments: "This sums up the joy, community, internationalism and exoticism of markets"

Bella Horwood, "Leroy says no!"

I Love Markets Photography Competition, Runner Up Bella Horwood, Brixton Market

Bella says: "This photo was taking at Brixton Market. I think that the man in this photo has an interesting character which shows in his face and clothes. I like that when you look to the left of the photo you can see people moving in and out of the photo, representing the business of market life. This is contrasted by the image of the man with his bill-board with his messages. It made me wonder about how many people had actually noticed him, or read his messages."
Ronojoy Dam's Comments: "Like Patti Smith said, "People have the power."

Jaxetta Photography, "Portobello Market at dusk"

I Love Markets Photography Competition Runner-Up, Portobello Road Market by JaxEtta

Ronoy Dam's comments: "The colour spread of black and white and colour makes this scene as ethereal as a dream."

The Prizes!
Judged by Ronjoy Dam, UK Creative Director of VICE.
First Prize- Custom build Fixie from Full City Cycles plus,
one month’s free trading at Netil Market, Hackney
Second Prize- £100 to spend at the Camden Blues Kitchen
Third Prize- 3 Personal Fitness Sessions at Bamboo Fitness plus,
a signed copy of the new Manu Chau Biography by Peter Culshaw

For press enquiries contact Katie Ingham, press@ilovemarkets.com

If you interested in hosting our London Market Photography exhibition

New Discoveries at Chatsworth Road E5

People who know Chatsworth Road and Chatsworth Road Market are avid admirers. Not only has the Sunday market gone from strength to strength, the high street has also been transformed. Ghetto chic sums parts of it up. What's so unique is how locals have claimed disused spaces and shops to offer something truly unique. It's a place that has a real sense of community and as i learned on Sunday, you never quite know what you'll find! 

It happened by sheer accident. Normally I enter from the Clapton end, but this time i got lost and entered from Homerton. First discovery! The Mini-Mini-Yeah-Yeah Market open every Sunday, at Chatsworth Palace. They've been posting events on ILM for a while, but so far i've never managed to find it. Very happy I did! Run by local Kevin, it's a petite and demure affair that needs to be bigged-up a bit!

A collection of clothing and jewellery, books and a music stall, as well as Chatsworth's very own Japenese Cafe, where you can indulge in some sushi or miso soup. You can also get a cup of English tea or coffee too. In addition to a collection of great stalls, you can also admire the current exhibition, by music photographer, David Corio. He spent the 80s and 90s rubbing shoulders with the likes of Bob Marley, the Fugees and Marvin Gaye. You can catch a glimpse in these pics.

The next discovery was Olivia's Closet found in the most unexpected setting of Chatworth Road's old public toilets. It's an excellent and quirky use of a disused public space. Something that Chatsworth seems to be very good at. I don't think anyone can resist going in and having a gander.

Vintage Toilet takeover at Chatworth Road Market

Another random edition was this little boot-sale-stall set-up, outside the old Snooker Hall (left).

Also situated down the Homerton end of the market are Furnish and Sanderson Sweeting Antiques. Both East End purveyors of antiques, furniture, knick-knacks and curiosities. 

My stomach was also delighted to stumble across 
Cakey Muto, the best place in Chatsworth for some rock 'n' roll, glittery cupcakes! Or why not stop for a slice and cuppa.

All this was discovered before I'd even hit the fabulous Chatsworth Road Market. Happy Days indeed!

Chatsworth Road Market, Hackney

Enjoying a Sunday stroll at Chatsworth Road Market, Hackney

To find out more search all shops and stalls listed in the Chatsworth Road Market Directory. Enjoy and let us know how you get on! The only thing we're missing is a photo contest entry for Chatsworth Market - get snapping!

Loving London's Markets.

Katie Ingham
I Love Markets