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Clarion Events, the organiser of Top Drawer, has reported that the Spring/Summer edition of the trade show enjoyed ‘strong buyer support’.
The London exhibition kick-started the 2018 buying season at Olympia London on from January 14 to January 16.
Clarion Events said: ‘International and UK buyers sought out the latest product launches across Home, Fashion, Gift and Craft from 1,500 design-led brands, providing them with the opportunity to discover the latest trends for the year ahead and uncover the newest products from never-seen brands, and the very best international labels, alongside Britain’s most loved names. ‘
The Home section of the fair covered interior accessories, kitchen & dining, furniture & lighting and outdoor living. Brands included Alessi, Bliss Home, Blomus, Bloomingville, Bluebellgray, Bronte by Moon, Broste Copenhagen, Burton McCall, Coach House, Eva Solo, Gallery Direct, Garden Trading, Grand Illusions, Leonardo, Light & Living, Lorna Syson, LSA International, Mini Moderns, Orla Kiely by Wild & Wolf, PR Home, Royal Crown Derby, Saga Form, Studio William and Witloft.
Commenting on the show, Royal Crown Derby sales and marketing director Steve Rowley said: “Our first year at Top Drawer was a real success. We launched four exceptional contemporary tableware collections – Art Glaze, Studio Glaze, Sketch and Effervesce – to the UK retail market to considerable acclaim.”
The show also brought together new products in the gift, wellbeing and children’s categories from over 300 brands including Abahna, aden + anais, Artigos de Beleza, Ashleigh & Burwood, Bob & Blossom, Captain Fawcett, Caroline Gardner, Castelbel, Cubic, Dassie, Doiy, Durance, Izipizi, Jellycat, K-Play, Kikkerland, La compagnie de Provence, Londji, Margarete Steiff, Max Benjamin, Moomin, Moulin Roty, Nathalie Bond Organics, Nkuku, Notable Designs, Rice, SC Brands, S’ip by S’well, Sophie Allport, Stone Marketing, Sunnylife, Temerity Jones, True Grace, Valerie Graham, Wild & Wolf and Wildfire Tepees.
First-time exhibitor Tanja Siburg, senior vice president of international business development at S’ip by S’well, said: “Top Drawer offered an amazing debut for S’ip by S’well. The terrific turnout of high-calibre brands allowed the team to showcase S’ip by S’well and its attributes to a wonderful list of key accounts like Science Museum and Hut Group, as well as important independent, department and specialty stores.”
The craft section was home to more than 140 makers across ceramic & glass, fashion & textiles, jewellery and mixed media. Providing a platform for buyers to source handmade products, names included Abigail Bury, Ali Tomlin Ceramics, Arwyn Jones Ceramics, Benefield Spencer Glass, BTU Studio, Emily Cross Ceramics, Gilly Langton Jewellery, Glass by Butler, Harriet Elkerton, Harriet Morris Jewellery, Harris and Hall, Katie Victoria, Kyra Mihailovic Ceramics, Rachel Cox Ceramics, Rolfe and Wills, Snowden Flood, Suzanne Breakwell and The Silver Shed.
Mixed Media artist Alison Stockmarr exhibited at Top Drawer for the fourth consecutive time. Speaking of the show, Alison enthused: “Top Drawer offered me an overwhelming amount of opportunities, from magazine coverage, exhibitions and collaborative projects to all-important sales and orders. Visitors varied from small independent galleries and shops to big hitters of national and international significance, making Top Drawer a melting pot of possibilities.”
In the food emporium, an array of ‘giftable’ food products (from oils and condiments to seasonal treats and confectionery) were on display from 75 producers, artisans and brands, Exhibitors included Ginmeister, Hasslachers, Hawkshead Relish Company, Joe’s Gourmet Foods, Joe’s Tea Co, Lillypuds, Love Cocoa, NomNom Chocolate, Paxton & Whitfield, Pinkster Gin, Plant ‘n’ Grow, Popcorn Kitchen, Truffle Hunter and Willie’s Cacao.
Commenting on the impact of Top Drawer on his business, Paxton and Whitfield founder Jeremy Bowen said: “Top Drawer is my favourite trade show because it delivers financial results from customers I don’t see at others.”
Clarion Events claimed its greetings & stationery section ‘housed the world’s largest curated selection of designers and publishers, bringing visitors the best new ranges of greeting cards, stationery, prints and gift wrap’ from names including 1973, ArtPress, Belly Button Designs, Five Dollar Shake, Katie Leamon, Lagom Design, Ohh Deer, Oh Squirrel, Portico Designs, Roger La Borde, Suzan O’Hanlon, The Art File, U Studio and Wrap.
Katie Wagstaff, founder of Oh Squirrel, commented: “Our first Top Drawer experience was incredible. We met with – and took orders from – so many new stockists, and have had so much further interest after the event.”
A special feature of the show was ‘Spotted’ which introduced a host of design debutants spanning all Top Drawer’s sectors. This season’s line-up included Adelle Hickey, Alexia Peck, Allegoric Designs, Apiary Made, Cult Vinegar, Ginger Hare, GLB Graphics, I am Nat, Keeler and Sidaway, Kitsch Noir, Moby Maps, Onua, Perch Upholstery, Pick Art Home, Print Circus, Rowenna Mason, Sofia Lima Sousa, The Natural Beauty Pot, The Pattern Book, The Owl & the Apothecary, Trinca-Ferro, Tutti London, Wanderlust Paper Co., Wolf & Ink and Yanii Akeliah.
Charlotte Abrahams, curator of Spotted, said: “The S/S18 edition of Spotted was a huge success, launching 49 new, design-led brands to the trade. The inaugural Spotted Award went to re-usable water bottle brand Stay Sixty, with Cult Vinegar and Divine Savages scooping the runners-up prizes. The fact that it took the judges a long time to choose the winners is testament to the quality and ingenuity of the brands showing in the Spotted zone. These will be the names to watch in 2018.”
Top Drawer will return to Olympia London in Kensington for the Autumn/Winter 2018 edition from September 9 to September 11 and for the Spring/Summer 2019 edition from January 13 to January 15.
L-r: Royal Crown Derby, Coach House, LSA International
