This week we visited Top Drawer and were bowled over by the talent and creativity on show. We made a beeline for the event’s popular Product GB initiative which champions exhibitors whose products are designed and manufactured in Britain. Here’s just a small selection from the many inspirational exhibitors we met…
Lovely things for little ones…
Launching at Top Drawer was designer Helen Gordon’s brand new range of childrenswear and accessories featuring her distinctive floral prints, all of which are made here in the UK.
These retro print organic cotton rompers from Organics for Kids are, like everything in their range, made locally in a small factory outside Nottingham.
Made in the UK and free from chemical nasties, the Mummy & Me Pamper Kit from Boo Boo Mummy makes an ideal gift for new arrivals.
Poppy Children’s pretty dresses are inspired by the 1930s and the fabric is printed in Lancaster, with any leftovers being used to create Make-with-Mum rag doll kits.
These sheepskin Cwtch boots from Inch Blue are handmade in Wales. What’s a Cwtch we hear you ask? Apparently it’s the Welsh word for ‘love’ in the form of a hug or cuddle.
Rosie Flo’s Colouring books were inspired by their creator’s two young daughters, and are all designed, printed and published in Britain.
Innovative and eco friendly…
Knitted in the UK using wool from the Scottish highlands, this scarf from Lost Values hides a secret – it glows in the dark, making it perfect for children, cyclists and dark country lanes.
The brainchild of Jaq Croft, the Baggee is a flexible ball which clips onto your keyring and contains spare carrier bags, so you’ll never again reach the checkout and realise you’ve left your bags behind. They’re made in the UK from recyclable materials and there’s even a Doggee version for dog waste bags. Genius!
What looks at first glance like a traditional slate door number is in fact made from recycled plastic coffee cups by the clever people at A Short Walk in Cornwall.
The Herdy Company’s sheep money box (complete with tag saying ‘why should pigs get all the money’) is made in Stoke-On-Trent. Herdy’s products are inspired by the Herdwick sheep native to the Lake District, and through The Herdy Fund they help to support local environmental and sustainability initiatives.
Creative cards…
Launching at Top Drawer, Betty Boyns is a new collection of vintage inspired cards, giftwrap and fabric from designer Paula Nicholls. The name Betty Boyns is her mother’s and the inspiration is the interior of Paula’s family home in Cornwall when she was growing up.
Jacky Al-Samarraie is the graphic artist behind this range of cards and prints featuring photography from around the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, available from The Art Rooms.
Flytrap is a new family run greetings card business whose products feature the work of seven artists across four generations of their family. The card shown here was created by the youngest member of this talented family who is still at school.
Love Retro…
We just love Gillian Kyle’s iconic bags, which feature a foil printed teacake, combining nostalgia with a humourous twist.
According to Chocolate Design, the minute you don this vintage style apron you’ll instantly be transformed into the perfect 1950s hostess. Tea anyone?
Granny Knits is a new brand of contemporary cross stitch kits from the designers behind Pearl & Earl, featuring their trademark nostalgic chic style.
We don’t have space to mention all of the lovely people we met, so if you visited (or exhibited) at Top Drawer this year, why not leave a comment and let us know your thoughts…
