Hackney isn’t short of gorgeous independent shops, and we’ve found a few favourites that might help give your shopping an edge.
By Victoria Gray
WE ARE ARROW – Netil House
Making sustainable jewellery a reality, WeAreArrow, based out of a Netil House studio and storefront, uses products from the natural world to create beautiful and delicate jewellery collections that would make wonderful gifts any time of year.
wearearrow.com
WILLIAM CHESHIRE – Broadway Market
With a background in furniture design, William Cheshire’s jewellery is aptly structural in design, with a hint of drama in the burlesque and signet ring collections. Perfect if you’ve got a magpie to buy for. williamcheshire.com
AIME LONDON – Shoreditch
Aime’s Shoreditch boutique is its second in London, offering original lifestyle pieces from womenswear to home decor, plus accessories. It’s the ideal place to shop for any truly stylish woman in your life. aimelondon.com
PREP – Stoke Newington
Prep is an institution on Stoke Newington Church Street, selling quirky
and original cookware to satisfy everyone from the most eager chefs to the interior design addicts. If you know a foodie, make this your first gift stop. prepcookshop.com
Barcelona Cafetiere 6 cup, £31.99
LIHA BEAUTY – Broadway Market
LIHA offers a range of gorgeous skincare products, sold at Broadway Market and online, inspired by the rich botanical life of owners Liha and Abi’s West African heritage. They use products like shea butter combined with traditional English aromatherapy and folk remedies. lihabeauty.com
KITCHEN PROVISIONS – Stoke Newington
Kitchen Provisions is the place for equipment for any hipster’s kitchen, including some of the best chefs knives in the business. Its stock makes ideal gifts for anyone who likes to add some flair to cooking and hosting. kitchenprovisions.co.uk
BOXPARK – Shoreditch
Flamingo Neon Light, £50
The original Boxpark is a pop-up mall, with several independent businesses selling everything from luxurious stationary at Papersmiths to on trend beauty at Deciem. There’s even a Secret Santa Shop. boxpark.co.uk
MONOLOGUE LONDON – Shoreditch
Monologue sells a collection of bespoke furniture and home accessories. If somebody’s got a new house or needs an update to a key piece this Christmas, this is certainly the place to find something to (really) treat them. monologuelondon.com
SUNSPEL – Shoreditch
If you’ve got a cool person to shop for, Sunspel is the place to get them clothes. There’s everything from stylish chunky knits and coats, to beautiful loungewear and underwear. Gifts will almost certainly go down a storm. sunspel.com
Lambswool knitted overhead hoodie, £265 and pants, £245
THE HACKNEY DRAPER – Clapton
The Hackney Draper has been a family business for four generations and they certainly know upholstery. They sell curtains, cushions and rugs as well as adding a modern touch to furniture restoration. Just the place to get something to upgrade a home. thehackneydraper.co.uk
69B BOUTIQUE – Broadway Market
For the more discerning shopper, 69b Boutique is truly a haven. Offering ethical products from shoes to shades, chosen from an edit of socially and environmentally responsible designers, it’s somewhere where you can be truly proud of your choices of gifts. 69bboutique.com
CHEEKY TIKI – Stoke Newington
If you’ve got somebody in your fam- ily who loves to travel, a gift from Cheeky Tiki is the way to help them feel like they’re away all the time, with the carefree relaxed spirit of the Polynesian lifestyle running through their homeware products. Several are made in their new Stoke Newington studio. cheekytiki.com
BRANCH ON THE PARK – Victoria Park
Branch on the Park is where goldsmith Julia Cook sells her beautiful na- ture themed jewellery, alongside its online counterpart Blossoming Branch. If you’re looking for some- thing to dazzle a special someone in your life, this is definitely the place. branchonthepark.co.uk
Deepa earrings with peridot, £75
TRIANGLE – Clapton
Triangle is a one-stop shop for everything from clothes to mid-century furniture, via the way of accessories and home decorations, and the perfect place to get a gift for somebody with impeccable taste.
trianglestore.co.uk
IRUSU – Stoke Newington
If you’re a candle fan (or know one you’re looking for a gift for), this is the place for you. Irusu uplifts the candle experience selling locally made, hand-blended, all vegan candles. Look out for their Christmas candle which donates 50% of profits to a local homeless shelter.
irusu.co.uk