There was Decourcy’s and there was Che Camille until there wasn’t. A bulk of Glasgow’s indie retailers moved online or would pop up at the occasional market stall. Instagram and influencers may shed some light on some really incredible indie designers and crafters, for me nothing really beats bricks and mortar for that real sense of community and this year, Glasgow sees near enough every city centre shopping centre playing host to shops offering fresh takes on independent design. While regular pop up like Super Market and Etsy markets have paved the way, this season it has never been easier to shop locally with each centre offering their own take on the festive season.
COLAB
Colab truly is the wild card of the bunch, repurposing downstairs in the Savoy Centre into a creative community hub and becoming a permanent home to some of Scotland’s finest. Award-winning Dundonian Hayley Scanlan has set up for the season with her trademark leather bikers and assortment of party dresses while Barbra Kolasinski adds a pop of colour with a mix of fun faux furs featuring kitschy bag charms and scarfs. VAST vintage is a treasure trove of vintage design with purse-friendly pieces from Versace, YSL and Burberry.
It’s not just all about the FASHION though as Super Market Extra have a few select wares of cute retro bits and bobs while Social Recluse brings a love of football and design with a range of books to the mix. Vegan soy candles from Ali Mac are sure to delight even the fussiest friends and family this season and Superversion gallery offers a range of diverse prints for brightening up any wall
And right in the heart of it all is KOHI – offering fresh poke bowls right in the city centre. Fresh food, GREAT coffee and a range of DJ’s all coming together and making COLAB a must stop shop for any lover of indie design.
Scottish Design Exchange
Pottery, prints and other pretty little stocking filler make up the bulk of Buchanan Galleries offering. The Scottish Design Exchange is perfect for bits for secret santa or for those extra little stocking fillers. Here you’ll find the prettiest gourmet chocolates in all the land from Sugarsnap with flavours as diverse as orange & chilli, blueberry & violet sitting alongside classics like salted caramel. Darte, Catcher & Caught and Rachel Rogers jewellery designs can all be found here for those looking to spend a little bit more while Son of A Cross Stitch’s cross stitch kits are the perfect gift for your craftiest of pals. Meanwhile, Classy Burd pays loving tribute to pop culture stalwarts as Ru Paul, Louis Theroux and Ron Swanson.
Wear Eponymous
Last but not least we see Wear Eponymous return, setting up shop in St Enoch Centre. Wear Eponymous offer an eclectic mix. We Love Prints have a range of prints (clues in the name innit?) of Scottish gins from £10 while those looking to spend more should look no further than Ryan James with his carefully curated collection of men and women’s design. Chou Chou hoods are one to watch out for and sit alongside contemporary classic brands such as Suit and Hymn London. There are a few choice skincare products to be found here including the likes of Westburn & Granite and Ermana.
It’s never been easier to shop local, so make sure to check out these pop ups while you can.