Explore not-be-missed happenings in London with WGSN insider, Zuzanna Butkiewicz

London is vying to become the capital of sustainable creativity. From city planning to retail concepts, ideas are radically shifting towards conscious living.

The idea of giving new life to deadstock and vintage clothing has gone mainstream. Creative powerhouses drive the concept forward, such as Priya Ahluwalia, the LVMH Prize 2020 finalist who creates menswear inspired by her London and Indian-Nigerian heritage using responsibly sourced and manufactured materials.

Meanwhile, the new Bally Haus on Regent Street is a multifunctional experiential space designed to engage local artists and give a second life to materials, featuring fixtures repurposed from local waste plastic. Selfridges continues to reinvent its retail experiences. As part of Project Earth, the department store offers rental and repair services alongside its RESELLFRIDGES initiative and has transformed its accessories hall into The Garden Centre, aiming to combine nature and art as a healing force.

A much-awaited creative hub, The Lab E20 has opened in east London as an extension of Raeburn Retail. Themed Raemade, Raeduced, Raecycled, this brand-new retail space brings together creative communities in the city via free exhibitions and events.

Championing responsible sourcing with upcycling and plant-based textiles are sustainably minded brands including Nobody’s Child and SIRPLUS, while Hylo Athletics, focusing on sports industry innovations, is also one-to-watch.

Eateries are swiftly adapting to the radical shift in consumer behaviours. Anya Cafe focuses on localisation rather than globalisation and Hackney Coterie features a minimal-waste menu complete with potato peels as snacks.

Linnaean, the lifestyle destination combining a cafe, restaurant, spa and apothecary, taps into our #hybridretailspace trend. Its restaurant serves a delicious plant-rich organic menu alongside biodynamic wines, completing an all-rounded wellness experience.

If you’re a WGSN subscriber, travel virtually to London via our London Virtual Guide 2021. Live now on the site.

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