Harrods going all dotty celebrating the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama partnership

Louis Vuitton's latest collaboration with Yayoi Kusama has taken over London's Harrods department store in the French lugguage and fashion house's latest and third campaign with the Japanese contemporary artist.

Sporting a giant 15-metre four-storey-high giant replica of the artist installed outside the Knightsbridge landmark, the whole store appears to have been "dot-painted" by the artist herself.  

The shop windows meanwhile feature merchandise from the curated capsule collection, conceived under the creative direction of Nicolas Ghesquiere.

Two pop-up boutiques have opened: one is shining a spotlight on LV's iconic monogram accessories and ready-to-wear apparel, ornamented with Kusama's signature dotty motifs, while the other featuring an experiential space with claw machines (so shoppers can win some stickers), a photo booth and on-brand treats. 

The Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Harrods experience continues until February 12 2023.

All photos by Lucia Carpio

HOFA Gallery has launched Gao Xintong's new exhibition 'Beyond Visible'.

Young emerging Chinese artist Gao Xintong's art is the result of living between Eastern and Western civilisations, absorbing aspects from both cultures. He uses the centuries-old practice of Shan-Shui 山水 - a traditional Chinese landscape painting in his works.

Untitled Rhapsody, 2021, by Gao Xintong
Oil on canvas, 150 x 300 cm

Curated by Chinese art specialist and curator Dagmar Carnevale Lavezzoli, the new solo exhibition at HOFA Gallery in London has been launched during the Chinese New Year week, opening on Thursday 26th January and run until Wednesday 8th February 2023.  

HOFA Gallery (House of Fine Art) specialises in contemporary art by established and emerging international artists. 

Joyful colours and bold mood-boosting patterns drive the Lifestyle trend

Taking the cue from the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama new collaboration, the design trend for 2023 is gearing towards "Colour" to bring much-needed JOY into our interior space, adding a sense of fun, cheerfulness and positivity to our fashion and contemporary lifestyle.  A very welcomed trend indeed as an antidote against stress and anxiety in today's challenging world.

Modern Psychedelic was one of the key design themes at Top Drawer 
lifestyle product trade fair in January 2023 in London Olympia.
The theme is championed by joyful, nostalgic and creative display colour and bold patterns.
Showcased here are handmade cushions by The Neighbourhood Thread and silk scarf on back panel by
Found Threaddesigned by Mia de Las Casas.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama is famous for her signature polka-dots in singular or multiple colours.  Combined with her celebrated quirky use of patterns, Kusama's unique creativity is deemed aspirational, and desirable even now that she has collaborated with luxury Paris-based brand Louis Vuitton for a new capsule collection of bags, accessories and apparel.

To celebrate this amazing 'marriage', LV is transforming its stores around the world by featuring Kusama's animatronic painting in the windows of the stores, including erecting an inflatable replica of Kusama peering over the roof of LV's Champs-Élysées store in Paris.  

One of the shop windows at London's Harrods featuring
merchandise from the world of Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama
Photo by Lucia Carpio

Simultaneously, creative redecoration treatments are seen in amazing installation and shop windows such as those of Harrods in London, along with eye-popping visuals in stores in China, and in Vuitton's pop-up stores in New York Soho and Meatpacking District, and in Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan.

Many textile designers, illustrators and design brands emerging on the scene have also energised the positive mood with their creative use of bold tones and imagery as seen recently at the January 2023 edition of the London Top Drawer trade fair was a group of bright designers.  They among others were supported by the UAL (University of Arts London - considered the top 2 in the world for Art and Design  according to QS World University Rankings 2022).

Printed silk scarves by Found Thread designed by Mia de Las Casas.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Textile designer Mia de Las Casas, originally from Ireland, has a BA degree from  Chelsea College of Arts, and is now based in London.  She started her Found Thread brand of luxurious silk-printed scarves with quirky twists. Mia says witticisms of nature are explored, where elements combine for patterns that border on the surreal.  Since its beginnings in the Irish countryside in 2019, Found Thread has developed unique collections and commissions in a signature style. These include Arcadia Falling, Collection II and Zodiac.

Collection II explores floating forms, uncovered and free, said Mia, and it is about duality and transience, where bodies are mirrored, umbrellas act as lily pads and elements collide.  The collection was originally inspired by an old Japanese kimono book, and the misreading of the historical Geisha -Gei (art) sha (person) and it developed into a celebration of the female form, threatrical prints and transient waters and skies.  

All textiles originate from Mia’s drawings, paintings and collages, and are printed onto natural fabrics in London to a high quality.  Found materials are also transformed into new accessories. 

Mia's designs are sold in her Found Thread website, and also in Wolf and Badger, NJAL, Not Just a Shop. Her Scarves have been featured in UK/Irish Tatler magazine, The Irish Independent and The Earth Issue.

Photo from Top Drawer.

Designer and illustrator Mahin Hussain (above), received a Diploma in Coordwainers Fashion Accessories from the London College of Fashion.  Originally from Pakistan, she now lives in Scotland from where she works as a print designer and visual artist.  Bringing bright tones and colourful imagery hailed from her home land, Mahin's prints were inspired by her childhood memories and the iconic cultural imagery of the sub-continent in Asia. 

Her exotic current collection, available at etsy.com,  is a nod to the quirky symbolism around her reimagined world in her strong colourful style. Contrasting colours, bold imagery and tactile textures form the base of all her designs. She believes in colour and thinks everyone needs some in their lives.

Photo by Lucia Carpio.

London illustrator Emily Chin-Sillah (above) is a graphic designer with a BA degree in Graphic and Media Design from London College of Communications.  Her bold prints celebrate London landmarks with her style of vibrant colours and layered textures.

Photo from Top Drawer

In the past two years, Chin Chin Prints has gone on to be featured in the press as well as being sold in several stores across London.

During the first lockdown in England, Emily used her time to create her first location print as a gift to her mum. Initially intended to be a one-off illustration soon led to requests from friends and family to create other local landmarks, from this Chin Chin Prints was launched.

Describing her participation in Top Drawer,  she said, "I saw this as an opportunity to potentially get wholesale customers and experience being at a trade show without the heavy upfront costs and also just be among other UAL alumni. 

Depop partners with Tommy Hilfiger

Circular fashion marketplace Depop has announced a new partnership with  top US fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger, signaling the growing importance of recycling pre-loved fashion for the resell retail market.

Offering a curated collection consisting of pre-loved Tommy Hilfiger and Tommy Jeans pieces, the collection spans across an inclusive size range from XXS-3XL and will be available on Tommy Hilfiger’s Depop shop. 

The pieces will be taken from Tommy Hilfiger's consumer take-back programme and (partially) damaged pieces from their retail stores, wholesale and e-commerce channels. 

Each style has been cleaned, repaired and thoughtfully curated for Depop’s UK-based community. Ranging from playful denim to heritage-inspired signature pieces, Depop’s community will have exclusive access to the items on the platform, helping them shop more sustainably. 

Top Drawer SS23 in London deemed a success, attracting international buyers

London trade fair Top Drawer which was held from January 15 - 17 2023 at Olympia in Kensington for its SS23 season, was deemed a success having welcomed both international and UK-based trade visitors who represented some of the best known stores in the UK and the world.

Fair organisers said following a successful campaign to attract visitors from overseas, Top Drawer, which covered a wide range of lifestyle products, as well as home, fashion, gifts, food, paper and stationery products, played host to more than 40 countries, seeing an increase of  47% in visitor numbers on 2022, welcoming them from as far afield as Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the United States. 

This international flavour was further enhanced with the addition of some 30 key international distributors, who visited looking to source new brands to represent in territories as diverse as Australia, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands South Korea and Switzerland amongst others

Attendees ranged from department stores and museum shops to independent boutiques, hospitality specialists, garden centres and representatives of press and media. Among them were buyers from Anthropologie, Aria, Avoca, Barnes & Noble, Brown Thomas, Cursive New York, Fenwick, Flying Tiger Copenhagen, H&M, Harrods, Heals, John Lewis, Le Bon Marché, Liberty London, Rockett St George, SCP, Selfridges, Soho House, The Conran Shop, The Design Museum, The Getty Museum, TikTok Shop and Waitrose (of John Lewis Partnership), to name just a few.

There was also a sharp year-on-year increase in footfall, according to organisers, driven by a new visitor acquisition strategy that saw 58% of them attending for the very first time, signaling the strength of the retail industry.

There was further success seen in individual target sectors, with a 16% increase in department store buyers, as well as a 4% increase in independent retailers attending the show and connecting with the show’s 500+ brands – 50% of whom were exclusively exhibiting at Top Drawer, and 25% of which were making their show debut. 

Organisers said the show launched thousands of products across nine curated sectors -  Home, Wellbeing, Gift, Fashion, Food Emporium, Craft, Greetings Cards & Stationery, Play and Launchpad for promising new talent – to help buyers source the key products for the season ahead, and professional visitors to grasp in one venue the key trends that will help drive business.  

The handpicked, edited nature of the show appealed to many buyers.  

Fran Harkness from UK’s Bam Bristol explaining: “For us it’s the best trade show. Great curation, good range and not too massive!”

French department store Le Bon Marché’s Nathalie Constanty also said: “Top Drawer is the perfect show for me to discover products across all the sectors I’m sourcing for. I have been coming for years and I love it - especially as it’s the first show of the buying season. This time I saw many existing suppliers as well as discovering many amazing new ones.” 

This favourable balance between existing and new brands on display was a common thread in feedback, with Lauren Jarvis of Mlkwood Store commenting: “It was so fantastic to see some of our makers in person [and] I also met lots of new people so watch this space!”  

Bryony Taylor Edwards of Yarnton Home and Garden outlined the thoughts of many: “I loved every second (of my visit). So many bright and beautiful products and small businesses doing brilliant things.”

Equally exhibitors were expressing their delight with the buzz of the show and the quality of leads received. 

Joanna Hockett, International Sales Manager for Lifeguard Press enthused: “Top Drawer is easily our favourite trade show - the timing, the location and the buyers here put it a cut above the rest, and this season is no exception!”

Louise Shore of FRASS agreed: “We have had the most unbelievable show, opening an astounding number of new accounts” 

OLOR’s Louise Roger expressed similar sentiments: “We have met so many amazing people over the last few days, we’re really excited about our new stockists, and so pleased to see some of our current stockists back at the show placing new orders.”

Helen Edwards of East End Prints summarised: “There really isn't another trade event quite like this one!” 

In addition, Top Drawer also organised a seminar programme popular with both visitors and exhibitors alike.  The RetailFest and Ecommerce Insights seminar programme equipped audience members with inspiration, digital knowledge and innovation to help them navigate  through the year to make 2023 a successful trading year. There were also training sessions and masterclasses designed to help retailers elevate their business in 2023.   

Visitors will soon be able to catch up on these sessions on demand via www.retail-reveal.com, Clarion’s digital destination for retail discovery, inspiration and connection.

All images by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect Global.

LONDON show ROOMS partners with TRANOÏ for its return to Paris Men's Fashion Week

LONDON show ROOMS is collaborating with Paris Fashion Week trade show partner TRANOÏ MEN (the fashion forward trade salon much favoured by international buyers and editors) for its return to Paris Fashion Week in January 2023, reports the British Fashion Council.  

The showroom will run from Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd January, hosting 17 menswear designers at the iconic Garage Amelot in the Marais district, in Paris.

The partnership between LONDON show ROOMS and TRANOÏ MEN allows emerging British designers the opportunity to showcase their brands to a leading audience of international press and buyers. 

Designers taking part in LONDON show ROOMS this season are:

ABIGAIL AJOBI | ADAM JONES | ANDREJ GRONAU | CARLOTA BARRERA

CHARLIE CONSTANTINOU | CHLOE NARDIN | DERRICK | FLORIAN WOWRETZKO

HELEN KIRKUM | HOUSE OF JAFFA | JEKEUN | LAUGESEN | LOCI | LULA LAORA

LYPH | MILES GEORGE DANIEL | TORON

Since 2008, the BFC’s LONDON show ROOMS has provided a unique opportunity for British designers to promote themselves outside of London in a pop-up showroom that sits as part of the BFC's support and mentoring scheme.

In an interview with FashionNetwork.com, BFC chief executive Caroline Rush said, "We are so proud of the creative talent that London is known for and to be able to bolster fresh perspectives and promote sustainable British designers in an overseas showroom environment. 

"The pop-up showroom is a strategic element of the BFC’s support and mentoring scheme. Selling in a showroom environment is a unique opportunity for buyers and designers to meet in person and this personal exchange is truly what sets our showrooms apart. It is a brilliant occasion for designers to network with buyers and provides invaluable exposure to industry insiders, who have previously seized the occasion to headhunt promising designers. Further, designers can promote their brand identity and integrate personalised feedback from professionals, which then inform both their future artistic and commercial decisions."

Access to TRANOÏ MEN is exclusively reserved to buyers, press and fashion industry professionals.  To register for accreditation, click HERE. 

Trade fair Top Drawer opens January 15 to kickstart the 2023 buying season at Olympia London

Top Drawer has opened on January 15th at Olympia in the heart of Kensington, London, reporting a buzzing atmosphere on the first day that attracted trade buyers from some of the biggest retailers from the UK and abroad, including Harvey Nichols, HMV, Harrods, Glasgow Museums, John Lewis, Oliver Bonas, National Trust, the Government of South Australia and Dobbie’s Garden Centre. Still registered to attend and source over the next two days are the likes of Liberty, Selfridges, Wolf & Badger, The Conran Shop, SCP, Aria, Fortnum & Mason, TJ Maxx Europe, Fenwicks, Marks & Spencers, Waitrose, the Walt Disney Company, and Waterstones.  

The London trade fair's S/S 2023 edition slated for January 15 - 17 2023  features 1000s of new launches across nine curated sectors -  Home, Wellbeing, Gift, Fashion, Food Emporium, Craft, Greetings Cards & Stationery, Play and Launchpad for promising new talent – to help buyers source the key products for the season ahead, and professional visitors to grasp in one venue the key trends that will help drive business.  

Organisers say 50% of exhibitors are exclusive to the show and 25% are making their Top Drawer debut. More than 500 brands from the UK and abroad are presented in this latest edition, including the likes of Aery, British Colour Standard, CABAIA, Inside Out Toys, Kind Bag, Lifeguard Press + Ban.do, LIGA, Ohh Deer, Poppy + Ted, Reeves & Reeves, Roger La Borde, Scream Pretty, Swole Panda, The Bottled Baking Co. and Wanderlust Paper Co. to name just a few, showcasing their latest product launches and Christmas collections.

Featured are Discovery Journal; Dahlia London Official; Charlotte's Web Jewellery;
Trixie Baby and We Are Proper Good
All images from Top Drawer SS 2023.

Show Manager, David Westbrooke said: “As the first show of the year, we understand just how important it is that Top Drawer offers our visitors the most exciting and inspiring sourcing opportunities of the season. In addition, the unique curation process that makes Top Drawer the event that it is, saves retailers time and effort by hand-selecting only the very best established brands and emerging names for them to discover on the show floor.”

Joanna Hockett, International Sales Manager for Lifeguard Press further expands on the appeal of the event: “Top Drawer is easily our favourite trade show - the timing, the location and the buyers here put it a cut above the rest, and this season is no exception!”

Once again The Better Trends Co. are providing attendees an exclusive trend forecast service unveiling fully two of the biggest trends for the season ahead at the show.   

Musango - HOME

“Rhythmic form” is a trend that emphasises the use of repetitive shapes and patterns to create a sense of visual harmony within a space and usher in a feeling of calm. By utilising a variety of materials and textures, this timeless trend can be easily incorporated into any space and is just what we need as we enter 2023. 

“Modern psychedelic”, on the other hand, is a trend characterised by bold, vibrant colours and patterns that evoke a sense of defiant, unapologetic joy. This style often features a mix of geometric shapes and organic curves, as well as a variety of textures and materials to create an eye-catching look that is sure to turn heads. 

Locomocean - GIFT

Tihara Smith - LAUNCHPAD

Alongside the top brands and household names, fresh new talent will be put in the spotlight in the “Launchpad” sector (which made its debut during the SS22 edition),  allowing them to network with high-calibre buyers and build lasting connections within the industry. For this edition, we’ll also see the return of the show’s partnership with the University of Arts London who have been hand-selected to showcase their products and are eager to increase their brand exposure.    

In addition, RetailFest has lined up speakers to inspire visitors, to offer advice and support for businesses by presenting their new Ecommerce Insight programme at Top Drawer S/S23. This will help businesses to tackle digital strategy head on, with actionable takeaways from sessions covering SEO, audience engagement and online advertising.

Speakers include the likes of Cath Kidson, The Conran Shop's Campbell Thompson, Oliver Bonas' Camilla Tress and more, offering the inside scoop on the industry, plus tips to help businesses to understand social media, how to engage with customers and operate sustainably plus marketing insights.

Registration for Top Drawer is free for professional buyers and store owners; more information on registration, exhibiting brands and seminar sessions can be found at their website. 

Paris textile and fashion events to welcome world trade visitors in February 2023

This February,  the international creative fashion industry from all corners of the globe will descend upon Paris for the French capital's major international textile trade fairs.

Slated for February 7, 8 and 9 is Première Vision Paris, a key show for industry professionals to find inspiration and build their collections for the Spring-Summer 24 season, covering a broad spectrum of products, ranging from ready-to-wear to accessories (including fashion jewellery, leather goods and footwear and haberdashery) as well as textile designs and new technical developments.

Texworld Paris - July 2022 show

Separately is the February 2023 edition of Texworld Evolution Paris, which will be held at the Parc des Expositions de Paris-Le-Bourget from February 6 to 8; with 750 companies expected to exhibit, reaching70% of the pre-pandemic pariticipation level of February 2019, say Texworld organisers at the Messe Frankfurt Group.

As for Première Vision Paris to be held at Paris Nord Villepinte, it is presenting itself as a unique opportunity for the trade to network and exchange ideas.  This new edition promises to offer a wealth of new products as well as wide ranging services for a comprehensive programme.

Première Vision Paris - July 2022 show

Since the pandemic, Première Vision Paris's bi-annual shows had been held in a hybrid format, combining physical-attendance shows with online digital events. Now after consulting the industry’s professionals through a series of surveys, Première Vision will once again be giving greater prominence to the in-person event. 

Première Vision Paris - July 2022 show

While the forum product selections will be available online as of the opening of Première Vision Paris physical show, visitors attending in person will have privileged access to a summary of the major seasonal trends from the day after the show closes.   Content from Spring-Summer 24 trend events (seminars, 3D Forum, Live Sourcing), such as replays of certain talks held during the fair, will be available also online a few weeks after the show, rather than simultaneously. 

Première Vision Paris - July 2022 show

From February 7 to 9 2023, international trade visitors to Première Vision Paris, including buyers, designers, production heads, fashion and accessory brand managers, products developers, will have the opportunity to discover new creative works and the latest developments from 1,200 exhibitors representing 44 countries.  Exhibitors featured are spinners, weavers, tanners, textile designers, accessory and component makers, and fashion manufacturers who had been chosen by a Selection Committee of professionals and experts. 

Some 1,080 exhibitions (up 11% over February 2022) are from Europe (led by Italy, France, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the rest will be from from the Mediterranean basin (Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, etc.),  and Asia (Japan, Korea, India, China, etc.). 

Première Vision Paris - July 2022 show

Organisers say this new edition will see Première Vision ramping-up its commitments to respond to the sector’s current and up-and-coming needs, and support its environmental and social transition. 

This includes an enhanced framework of exhibiting sectors to inform industry players and provide them with concrete solutions in terms of sustainable sourcing and production.

The various dedicated sectors and activities at the fair will include:-

• The Smart Creation area dedicated to sustainable innovations. 

• The new Smart Tech zone within Smart Creation: technological innovations and digital solutions to produce more sustainably. 

• The Eco-innovation Forum

• The Eco Information Desk (Hall 4)

• The Eco-Innovation Trend Tasting seminars 

• A series of talks in the Talks Area dedicated to the issues around eco-responsible fashion

• Online informational content (Smart Keys, Smart Creation podcast) in the sustainability section of the Première Vision website. 

Première Vision Paris - July 2022 show
Images of Première Vision Paris from their July 2022 edition in Paris Nord Villepinte.

Première Vision Paris will also offer an expanded array of tools to better serve visitors and guide brands and buyers in their materials sourcing for Spring-Summer 24, with: 

• A new mobile app

• A new QR code system on exhibitors’ stands, which can be scanned to learn more about their business and find them on the Première Vision Marketplace

• A new deadstock itinerary

• The Fashion Information Desk (Hall 6 Plaza)

• The Emerging Brands Desk (Hall 6 Plaza)

• Guided tours of the forums

• A new Season Report exclusively for visitors to the show, available to download after the show. 

Texworld Paris - July 2022 show

Meanwhile Texworld Paris is bringing together 450 exhibiting fabric manufacturers from 14 

countries, including nearly 250 Chinese companies; more than 50 Indian embroiderers and weavers - Long kept away by the Covid crisis, the Chinese and Indian participation in this edition is comparable to that registered in the 2019 edition.  Other participants are from Turkey (110 companies), Korea (50)  and Taiwan (15).

Texworld Paris - July 2022 show

In the Apparel Sourcing Paris section are some 200 exhibitors from China, Hong Kong and Mongolia, alongside India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka.

In the Denim Village will be 25 international exhibitors, from China, India, Turkey,  

Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Texworld Paris - July 2022 show
Images of Texworld Paris courtesy of Messe Frankfurt France.

The Denim Village will be located on the Red Thread, the new pathway 

designed by the Texworld Evolution Paris teams to connect the main attractions 

of the shows, linking the Elite area - which brings together 20 companies that 

combine production capacity, quality, and responsiveness with the major national 

pavilions, the Trend Forum and the Agora, where on-site activities will be located.

Scoop to take place January 29 - 31 at Saatchi Gallery, London

From January  29 to 31 2023, the AW23 edition of the contemporary designer fashion trade show Scoop London will once again take place at the Saatchi Gallery, an iconic, Grade II-listed building on King’s Road in Chelsea, London, occupying the 14 galleries spanning three floors.

Taking inspiration from the world of tarot, this season’s show is an exploration of the endless journey of tarot cards, representing power and love, success and achievements and the opportunity for change and new beginnings, according to Karen Radley, Founder/Managing Director of Scoop International.

Karen said in a message to visitors, that will include designers, fashion buyers and industry experts, "This season, I’m pleased to be championing some of Britain’s most exciting names, as well as hosting a plethora of ethical and sustainable collections; an issue that is growing more and more prevalent in the industry.

"Of course, Scoop would not be complete without our line-up of hand-picked designers and labels. As always, I am pleased to welcome some new faces to the show; this season, meet labels including Launart, Diego Lazzaroni, High, Ivy Copenhagen, Dilara Latrous, along with many more names both emerging and established.

"I am aware this season has been a challenging one at times for retailers, but despite the current climate, we at Scoop aim to provide an unparalleled buying experience to all.

"On a personal note, this is such a particularly exciting move offering us the creative freedom to refresh the show’s aesthetic and curate our designers in a dynamic way," said Scoop International founder Karen Radley, who launched the trade fair in February 2011.  The show has since developed into one of London’s leading fashion trade shows, encompassing an edited line up of premium women’s fashion as well as luxury home, beauty, lifestyle and men’s collections.

Images from Scoop London website.

Oxfam is calling on the nation to donate unwanted Christmas gifts; joining London Fashion Week n February

If  you made a New Year resolution to be more kind to the environment, you could also combine this with being charitable towards Oxfam.

According to Oxfam, many people received gifts over the festive period which only see the light of day if the giver visits. 

And British cupboards are cluttered with unwanted Christmas gifts, so if you have that jumper or tie that you will never use, you should donate it to Oxfam, which will be staging another edition of its second-hand fashion show during the upcoming London Fashion Week from February 17 to 21 2023.

Entitled "Fashion Fighting Poverty 23" and sponsored by Ebay, the event will see around 40 ensembles presented by “personalities” in place of models on the catwalk.   The outfits have been curated by Oxfam’s independent fashion adviser Bay Garnett.  Speaking to the PA news agency, Garnett said she has picked around 80 items of clothing, calling the use of second-hand clothing in such an event “absolutely essential”.  Looks will feature a mix of second-hand designer items, vintage finds and some pre-loved high street clothing.

Garnett said: “So you can’t just have collections anymore that are just about new clothes because it would be out of touch with the climate, literally the climate, and also the climate of what people now want to be buying and wearing.”

According to new research by Oxfam, 40 per cent of us Brits receive between one and five Christmas presents we would prefer to do without. Thirty-one per cent say they put the gifts away out of sight, with 14 per cent only fishing them out if the giver comes round. Ten per cent of people chuck unwanted gifts away. While six per cent hand them back!

The study of 2,772 adults across the UK found almost half of people (49 per cent) pretend they love the unwanted gift. While more than one in 10 (11 per cent) said they were honest and let the giver know. Almost a third (29 per cent) said each year it was the same person who gave them the present they didn’t want. 

The research conducted by One Poll for Oxfam found well over half (57 per cent) give some of their unwanted gifts to charity. And now Oxfam is asking others without a use for quality, but undesired, presents to do the same. 

Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director said: “Finding the perfect gift at Christmas is a challenge. So, it’s unsurprising we can’t get it right every time. So, instead of leaving millions of surplus presents to gather dust in cupboards, we’re asking people to put those items to good use. We will sell well-meant, but as-yet unloved, presents to others who will want them cutting down on waste and crucially raising money for our work fighting poverty around the world. So please join our gift amnesty. Donate your unwanted stash to an Oxfam shop and do something amazing this New Year."

Toiletries topped the unwanted gift list. Twenty-eight per cent of respondents said they received soaps and bath bombs they didn’t want, with moisturiser next (22pc). Seventeen per cent said they received unsuitable jumpers and candles.

Hearteningly, evidence shows getting less-than-perfect presents can feel like a good thing. Thirty per cent of people asked said they didn’t mind getting unwanted gifts as they can give them to charity. The same number said they can regift the item to someone else, which saves them money.

Lorna Fallon said, "The New Year is the perfect time to declutter and make space for what you really want or need in your life. So, if you have surplus items, like unopened toiletries, you think someone else will enjoy then please donate them to us. You’ll be giving someone the chance to buy quality items at affordable prices, and contribute to the circular economy, which is better for the planet and people. And you’ll be part of a positive global movement fighting the injustice of poverty, helping to make the world a fairer, kinder place. Isn’t that something we all wish for in 2023?"

Meanwhile, Oxfam accept donation of clothing by POST.  Click HERE for details.