Christmas shopping. Two words that strike fear into the hearts of even the most hardened of consumers. But turn that frown, upside down, as Nat Breitenstein’s Grand Magasin Deux (a continuation of 2013’s successful Grand Magasin) is back at Bethnal Green’s French Riviera for a festive take on the “experimental examination” of a shopping experience.

For just five days (from 16-20 December) customers can peruse a plethora of unexpected delights from various artists at this unique pop-up shop, in which every single thing on display is for sale as part of a “playful exploration of labour, value, art and commerce”.

From ceramic pots and painted plaster pineapples and pomegranates, to turned timber and pom-pom vases, cast glass receptacles, furniture, drawings, prints, houseplants, Victorian Stereoscopes and lingerie – there is no shortage of things promising to capture both the eye and the imagination.

With no defined limits, the creatives involved have imagined a series of collectibles with the loose theme of a “shopping show” – the only condition? That the pieces created are affordable.

Artists taking part this time around include: Daisy Addison, Fay Ballard, Nat Breitestein, Owen Bullett, Harry Burden, Stuart Carey, Pippa Choy, Dan Coopey, Will Cruickshank, Denise de Cordova, Marie D’Elbee, Thomas Dozol, Tom Ellis, Kris Emmerson, Jessie Flood-Paddock, Seana Gavin, Ludovica Gioscia, Lynn Hatzius, Holly Hayward, Joey Holder, Siân Hislop, Samuel Levack and Jennifer Lewandowski, Bryan Mills, Nicholas Pankhurst, Berry Patten, Sonya Patel Ellis, Lyle Perkins, Marianne Spurr, Nicola Tassie, Jennifer Taylor, Cicely Travers, Bea Turner, Jeremy Willett and Lucy Woodhouse.

Grand Magasin Deux takes place from 16-20 December, 2015. Open daily, 12–7pm and by appointment.

You can find French Riviera at 309 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6AH.

frenchriviera1988.com

Tags: Art, christmas, culture, French Riviera, interiors, lingerie, london, pop-up shop, shopping, unique

Overly cool brand Opening Ceremony has garnered a cult status through its locations in cities like New York and Tokyo. Luckily for us, London is finally getting a piece of the action, thanks to the launch of label’s first UK shop yesterday. Set in Covent Garden, the 3,000-square-foot pop up store has been opened to coincide with the Olympic Games starting later this month and the company’s ten-year anniversary in September.

The brand has already collaborated with the likes of Chloë Sevigny and Rodarte, but to mark the London O.C. takeover, designers including adidas, Norma Kamali, Topshop, Band of Outsiders, Charles Anastase, Christopher Shannon, House of Holland, Pamela Love and Proenza Schouler have created exclusive capsule collections for the store.

Combined with a selection of rare books curated by the Claire de Rouen team and set in a neon-coloured, geometric shape-decorated landscape courtesy of Studio Toogood, it’s safe to say we have found ourselves a new retail paradise. Let the shopping games begin.

openingceremony.us

Tags: Adidas, Band of Outsiders, Charles Anastase, Chloe Sevigny, Christopher Shannon, Claire de Rouen, House of Holland, london, Norma Kamali, opening ceremony, Pamela Love, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, shopping, Topshop

Even though I’m not engaged (and please God do not let my boyfriend read this) I have already found my wedding dress – which is a big deal, considering my never-ending, maddening (for both my banker and my boyfriend) addiction to dresses.

When I discovered the ‘Sunday Brunch Dress’ site on one of my numerous trawls for fashion on the Internet, I thought I had found heaven. Beautifully twee, funny (the dress descriptions and blog are hilarious) and personal (sizes are based on the owner’s own ‘real’ body), the site urges us to ‘take time to slow down & dress up’.

With beautiful handpicked dresses by Heidi Merrick, Lorick and Keemia, among others, and showcases of work by owner Judy Kou’s favorite female artists – ‘Sunday Brunch Dress’ is truly a Twin kindred spirit.

When I emailed Judy about my dream wedding dress (no, I will not tell you which one it is, my boyfriend might be reading this), I got the sweetest, swiftest reply which finally sealed the deal, and made me fall in love with ‘Sunday Brunch Dress’ for real – quite an achievement for an online shop.

www.sundaybrunchdress.com

top picture: the incredible Aunt Judy dress

Eveline Taunadjaja‘s Ugly Duckling

The Kloset Must Be Mustard dress now on sale | Sunday Brunch Dress’ owner, Judy Kou

Tags: dresses, hianta, judy kou, shopping, sunday brunch dress