Forget trawling the internet for Christmas presents, shopping around a market is far more de rigueur. Circus, the brainchild of the House of Hackney founders, promises lashings of festive spirit and unique gifts.

For five days, cherry-picked labels and creatives are setting up concept stalls selling their wares. Expect to find such brands as Les Chiffoniers, Lost Property of London, Olivia von Halle (top image), Paper London, Fred Butler and, of course, House of Hackney. Alongside fashion and homeware stands, as well as some more unconventional offerings from Polly Morgan, there will be a Christmas fair selling trees, roasted chestnuts and gift wrapping.

East London gem Lily Vanilli will be on hand selling Christmas hampers as festive foodie presents and her bakery and cider stand will serve up warming snacks for weary shoppers. Taking place in a disused power station in Shoreditch, the vibe is sure to unite the best of hip Shoreditch creativity and traditional Christmas fare.

Fred Butler

House of Hackney

Circus 11 takes place from 14th until 18th December (10am-8pm daily) at The Tramshed, Shoreditch
circus11.com
houseofhackney.com

Tags: christmas, Circus11, Fred Butler, House of Hackney, Les Chiffoniers, Lily Vanilli, Lost Property of London, Paper London, Polly Morgan, Shoreditch

Baker Lily Vanilli is terrifyingly good at cakes. Often appearing to involve more blood and guts than sugar, they are the antithesis of the girly cupcake. And not content with making  the kind of confections that we want to devour, she’s also got the recipe for the sort of private members club we want to join. Pop-up cake and cocktail club 180 is a world’s first of its kind, and this Wednesday its celebrating all things dark and delicious at the Baby Bathhouse.

Winter Witchcraft and 180 Club will herald in the new season pagan style. All Souls Cake and Absinthe and Chocolate Mini Eclairs are just two of the cake canapes that will be served along side equisite cocktails. Noemi Klein will be on hand with her beautiful, haunting jewellery, while Marawa the Amazing will revisit the plague years in her performance piece Ring a Ring of Roses. It promises to be a night of dark arts and decadence.

Winter Witchcraft and 180 Club is at the Baby Bathhouse, Stoke Newington 7pm Wednesday 30 November.
RSVP for tickets at 180@lilyvanilli.com
lilyvanilli.com
180cakeclub.com
babybathhouse.com
noemiklein.com

Tags: Absinthe, All Souls Cake, Baby Bathhouse, Baker, Lily Vanilli, Marawa the Amazing, Noemi Klein, Stoke Newington, Winter Witchcraft and 180 Club