The Drops market returns to Coal Drops Yard in new partnership with Graduate Fashion Foundation
Market concept The Drops at Coals Drops Yard in King’s Cross returns today for three days ending 7 May, with a new partnership with Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF).
Running monthly until September 2022, it features a line-up of emerging fashion, homeware and lifestyle designers across 40 stalls – curated by Hemingway Design and handpicked by Wayne Hemingway and his team, joined by five graduate designers for the first time.
The graduate designers are being supported by Graduate Fashion Foundation with sponsored stands, branding, signage and mentoring from the charity.
The chosen five are Max Alexander’s contemporary streetwear brand BRYDER, Mariah Esa, who repurposes waste from the fast fashion industry, luxury British-made slow fashion by Peach Eyes from designer Jennifer Healy, TOM-O by Sarah Thompson and Geminii Studio by Donnel Chavunduka.
Nicola Hitchens, GFF Director and Head of Special Projects at Graduate Fashion Foundation, said: “Graduate Fashion Foundation has launched the careers of some of the most successful designers of our time, including Christopher Bailey and Stella McCartney, and we’re proud to continue creating these opportunities for the next generation of aspiring designers.
“Market concepts like The Drops allow their impeccable talent to flourish and grow, both through retailing and by showcasing their brands to a public audience, often for the first time.”
Anthea Harries, Head of Assets at King’s Cross, added: “We are very excited to welcome The Drops back for 2022 and we hope that by offering emerging designers a platform to showcase their ideas and products, it can elevate them to the next stage in their careers.
“Coal Drops Yard is the perfect setting for this; it champions both independent and mainstream retailers, so a successful brand could go from selling their wares at the market to taking a small unit on Lower Stable Street, and perhaps in time go on to take a large unit in the main shopping area.”
