If most people are honest the words Unique, Quality and Fashion don’t necessarily sit well with the words Social Enterprise. If history is anything to go by then even when the prices have been sky high those people at the front line, those doing the labour rarely receive a just reward for their work. Furthermore, up and coming designers have been consistently undermined in their efforts to get a foot through the door.
However, a change is coming and over the past number of years there has been a growing movement of people; social enterprises that are determined to give quality clothing designers a space where they need it. The result has been a continued entering of new and even radical styles and, if you know where to look you can get your hands on a few quality pieces that few others will own.
Ms Dennica Abdo is founder and creator of Fashion Meets Music (FMM); a Social Enterprise showcasing designers, artists and talent in the form of pop-up-shops, events and workshops. Established in 2013 after their events in LA meshing fashion shows, artist performances and vendors, Fashion Meets Music is on a mission to bridge the gap between the Indie and Mainstream worlds and provide opportunity for previously unrecognized talent. The FMM team seeks out extraordinarily talented fresh faces, creating a link to movers and shakers, decision makers and industry professionals. Its aim is to give upcoming designers and artists a place to be seen and heard, a platform to excel.
For many designers FMM is an essential crucial step on the retail ladder in a shop setting where they can test their brands to the public. gain exposure, have a chance to be involved in creative workshops, events, involvement in fashion shows and gain many images for their portfolio/social media platforms.
“Our pop up shops have ranged from 10 days to 5 months and our designers are usually with us for the whole duration of the pop up.” Dennica explained “We have been really lucky here in terms of getting a decent length of lease property. Our goal is to find a permanent venue that will house numerous the emerging designers and also serve as an event space for performers, artists, talent and creative and business workshops…”
So what of the stock? Well the Camden Store boasts a strong line up of designer’s brands and from what I could see it was flying off the shelves but they include:
This Lil ole thing (Designer vintage wear, sales to charity)
The Faraway Tree (Reconstructed bags, denim, hessian and accessories)
CTAM (scarves)
ME Clothing (clothing, hats)
House of Loulee (Adult, childrens wear, African fusion)
UP CKLD (Recycled, upcycled)
Fashion Cosmetics (Beauty Products)
Don’t Touch My Locs (Printed Tees)
Ricalyce (Snapbacks, Beanies)
FaeFae (Printed wear, Beanies)
Nadia & Zehr (Clothing, Accessories)
Denim Recon (Our instore tailor, Denim wear)
Fly Girl (Printed wear)
Dirty Stag (Printed wear)
Modu Designs (Printed wear, snapbacks, beanies)
Jaime (art, sculptures)
Les 2 Coquettes (Printed wear)
Funk E Angels (Bags)
T & T (Jewellery)
Lola (Clothing and Jewellery)
Cherie Love Angel (Clothing)
Each sale not only creates profit for the designer it has diffused benefits by providing encouragement and builds drive to further create more items in this way FMM is as consumer driven as the fashion market it is a part of.
So what is the future for Fashion Meets Music Dennica? “Well…we plan on holding more events, running more pop ups and we are constantly on the look for new, unique talent and always looking for establishments that we can collaborate with. We are also currently on the lookout for permanent premises that can house retail, events and workshops. In the remit of Fashion and Music – what we do is very much needed.” No one can say that Dennica doesn’t say it how it is.
At the moment Fashion Meets Music is located at 69 Camden High Street – but you better get your groove on before they move on. Check them out too online:
www.fashionmeetsmusic.com
www.facebook.com/fashionmeetsmusicpopup
www.twitter.com/fmmpopup
Big Thanks to Active 8 Images (active8images.com) for the shots
Next week we are covering DTML – A fashion brand in the making.
Keep your Search Bar on Frost – it’s going to be hot.