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Clarion Events, which organised the Autumn/Winter 2017 edition of Top Drawer, has hailed the trade show as a ‘strong success’ which hosted ‘more exclusive brands than ever’.
Over 1,500 brands exhibited their wares at the three-day fair, held at Olympia in London from September 10 to September 12. Their products were exhibited across four ‘curated worlds’ of Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft.
The Home section presented a line-up of brands including Witloft, Zaha Hadid Design, Alessi, Forma House, MAKE International, IXXI, Leonardo, Nick Munro and VITA Copenhagen.
Frank Abbenhuis, founder of Witloft, which specialises in aprons made from Dutch leather, said: “We exhibited at Top Drawer to showcase our products to the UK retailers and independent stores across the country. We are so pleased Top Drawer delivered. It’s been a great show to network with other like-minded brands and we now have lots of potential collaboration opportunities. We have already rebooked for the next edition in January and will be taking a bigger stand.”
Gift presented a diverse choice of products from names including Wild & Wolf, Nukuku, Cubic, Dassie, Rice, Kinn Living, Moments Of Sense & Style, Scandic-Chic, Bookspeed, Helen Moore, Marvis, Notable Designs, True Grace, and SunnyLife.
Craft, the destination for all things handmade, featured a parade of contemporary and bespoke items from suppliers including 573 Degrees, Penny Warren, Camilla Thomas, Katie Vitoria, Sarah Cemmick and Agata Nowak.
Food Emporium made its debut at the Autumn/Winter edition, with a selection of ‘giftable’ food and beverage produce from companies including Ace Tea London, Conscious Water, Finca Hostalets 1898, Saint Aymes, Willie’s Cacao, Devon Distillery, LillyPuds, Land Chocolate, Popcorn Kitchen and Thunder Toffee Vodka.
A highlight of the show was a feature called ‘SPOTTED’. Designed to provide buyers with innovative, market-ready brands that tap into key design trends, SPOTTED comprised 40 new firms curated by style writer Charlotte Abraham for the originality, quality and commercial viability of their products. The list included India May Home, Lara Quin, Lupin Studio, The Curious Department and The Humble Cut.
Top Drawer event director Alejandra Campos commented: “The Autumn/Winter 2017 edition attracted the very best brands across our sectors and top buyers from the UK and overseas.”
Attendees ranged from independent retailers to multiples including ASOS, Marks & Spencer, Fenwick and John Lewis, along with garden centres, interior designers, contract buyers and overseas distributors.
Alejandra added: “We understand that successful retailers are constantly on the hunt for new and exclusive products that will stand out on the high street. At Top Drawer, we’re proud to present such a diverse and unique line-up of brands, most of which cannot be founded elsewhere. Watch this space as we head into the Spring/Summer 2018 season; the next edition is set to be even bigger.”
The Spring/Summer 2018 edition of Top Drawer will take place from January 14 to January 16 at Olympia in London.
Home exhibitors included WITLOFT (left) and ALESSI (right)
