Trade Fair: Top Drawer Returns to London with Innovation and Commercial Focus

 The Top Drawer S/S26 trade fair is set to open its doors at Olympia London from 11 to 13 January 2026, bringing together the UK’s design-led brands, retailers and industry influencers for three days of discovery, commerce, networking and insight. 

Now established as the leading destination for independent and speciality retail sourcing, Top Drawer’s “Fast FWD to Design” theme signals a forward-looking programme that blends curated product showcases with commercial insight and trend foresight. The show’s organisers report significant growth in exhibitor numbers and sector diversity, reflecting strong demand from both established buyers and new entrants to the market.

More than 550 contemporary exhibitors will present across seven curated sectors, including Home, Gift, Fashion, Wellbeing, Play, Greetings & Stationery, and Launchpad, an area dedicated to emerging designers and makers, according to the organisers.  They say around 26 per cent of exhibitors are new to the show, while key categories such as PLAY, Home and Fashion are experiencing double-digit growth compared with previous editions. 

For retail buyers, Top Drawer delivers a blend of trend insights, practical workshops and live pitches as part of its expanded content offering. The Retail Revealed Live stage returns with future-facing talks and expert panels, while The Social Studio, a new addition for 2026, provides hands-on sessions aimed at helping brands refine their digital and social media strategies. 

The Headline Speaker this season is Nick Robertson, Co-Founder of ASOS, who is bringing a high-profile perspective on scaling an international online fashion brand; his session is expected to include insights into customer behaviour, strategy, and the future of retail growth.

Speakers who will focus on Retail Strategy and Innovation are Hanan Tantush, Founder & Creative Director, Intotum on co-designing with disabled communities shapes adaptive fashion and inclusive product development; and Kate & Lyns, Co-founders, Buying & Beyond, who will feature in the Buying & Beyond Podcast LIVE, exploring how AI can support smarter retail operations and merchandising. 

On the topic of Brand Building, Marketing and Social Media, speakers Kirsty Raper and Andie McDowell, Co-founders, Reels Rockstars will share practical guidance on avoiding common pitfalls when using Reels and other short-form formats.  Aggie Meroni, Founder of White Bee Digital, is a Specialist in creative digital advertising and will lead discussions on simple ad creatives and platform strategies. 

Other speakers include Andrea Rainsford, Creator, Buyology who will explore the psychology of buyer behaviour, helping retailers understand what drives purchase decisions; Priscilla Pollara, Founder & PR Coach of Top Trick to address how founders can communicate clearly about their business to better engage customers and media.  Alice Loveday, Founder, Loveday Social will host a hands-on Social Studio masterclass to demonstrate real-time content creation for social platforms with attendee participation, while Cara Bendon, Brand Consultant, will speak on differentiating a brand in crowded markets and building iconic positioning.

A particularly notable feature for this season is Product Pitch, developed in partnership with Retail Huddle and co.lective Pop-Up. This live pitching event gives selected exhibitors the opportunity to present directly to industry judges in front of a live audience — a format organisers describe as bringing investment-style energy to a traditional trade fair setting. 

Trend forecasting remains a core component of the show’s draw. Working with The Better Trends Co., Top Drawer will showcase season-defining insights that translate emerging aesthetic and consumer shifts into commercially relevant guidance for buyers. 

Industry leaders have welcomed the return of Top Drawer, emphasising its value as a sourcing platform that combines creative discovery with serious buying opportunities. According to prior show data, previous editions have attracted a substantial increase in high-budget buyers and international attendance, underlining the event’s growing global relevance. 

Top Drawer S/S26 also offers structured networking and business support through the Business Hub, where attendees can access mentoring, strategy sessions and expert advice tailored to independent and design-focused retailers. 

Organisers expect the January edition to set the tone for retail buying and design trends entering the Spring/Summer 2026 season, reinforcing Top Drawer’s reputation as an essential fixture in the UK retail calendar.

Images from Top Drawer

Trade Fair Report: London's Top Drawer S/S25 hailed a success by organisers

As the curtains closed on the Top Drawer S/S25 trade fair last week, organizers hailed the event that targets retailers as a success, reporting a 7% increase in exhibitors compared to the previous January. The show also saw significant growth in attendance from high-spending buyers.

Held at Olympia exhibition centre in Kensington, London, from January 12 to 14, 2025, the event's exhibitor surge was driven by a record 30% of brands making their debut, alongside a further 7% of returning participants, including prominent names such as Burgon & Ball, Emma Bridgewater, Katie Leamon, Orange Tree Toys, Portico Designs, Rex International, and The Art File, reported the organisers.

Together, these brands joined a lineup of more than 600 curated suppliers, drawing thousands of retailers from across the UK and internationally. Attendees flocked to discover the latest in design and innovation, with universal acclaim for the show’s offerings.

Jen Maude-Roxby, Deputy Head of Licensing at the iconic Victoria & Albert Museum—known for its gift and souvenir shop—offered high praise, remarking that anyone considering attending the fair would not be disappointed.

She said, "We visit Top Drawer every year to discover new trends and products. This year, we've been inspired by the vibrant colors, fresh designs, and innovative products. The highlight for us has been the launch of the V&A range by Ohh Deer, which is debuting at Top Drawer."

Denise Llanera-Wittletonv, Senior Designer, The National Gallery concurred:  "I frequently visit Top Drawer for inspiration and to discover new brands, especially smaller ones. My favorite part is the Better Trends feature, which showcases upcoming trends. I particularly appreciate brands that are open to collaboration, blending their identities with ours while maintaining their uniqueness." 

Julia Grant, Owner, Winter’s Moon also added:  “One of the highlights of our calendar – it gives us the chance to discover beautiful new products for the shop, as well as say hello to some of our lovely existing suppliers. We found some amazing new things this time around!”

Following significant investment, the expanded VIP Buyer Programme delivered outstanding results over the three days, with organizers reporting an 18% increase in visitors with budgets of £1-2m, a 7% rise in those with £2-5m, a 19% boost in the £5-10m category, and an unprecedented 57% growth in attendees with budgets exceeding £10m.

This surge brought a lineup of retail leaders to the event, with over 100 Senior Buying Managers, Directors, Founders, Owners, and CEOs in attendance. Notable names included Fenwick, Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Fortnum & Mason, Graham & Green, Historic Royal Palaces, Hoopers Department Stores, House of Cards, Jarrold & Sons, John Lewis, Lark London, Laura Ashley, Liberty, Moonpig.com, MORLEYS, Next, Norli AS, Oliver Bonas, Papersmiths, Postmark, Rockett St George, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, SCP, Scribbler, Southbank Centre, Tate Commerce, The Barbican Centre, The Design Museum, The Dulwich Trader, The National Gallery, The Paper Store, The V&A, The White Company, TJX Europe, twentytwentyone, Ulster Stores & de Gruchy, Vinegar Hill, and Waterstones, among others.

Exhibitors expressed their satisfaction with the quality and volume of buyers. Comments included:

“We haven’t been in a while and are so glad to be back at Top Drawer! We wish the show was two days instead of three as we can’t cope with the amount of orders coming in!” – Hollie Glaister, Head of Wholesale, Emma Bridgewater

“Top Drawer is over for another season, but what a show we had… seeing so many customers (new and old), and supplier and publishing friends.” – Mark Callaby, Managing Director, Ohh Deer

“Top Drawer Spring has been the best show we’ve done in 23 years! I would definitely recommend it!” – Kali Stileman, Owner, Kali Stileman Publishing

“We’ve had an incredible time exhibiting this week! We thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with our wonderful customers while welcoming new faces to the fold.” – Victoria Eggs, Founder, Victoria Eggs

The Retail Revealed stage proved to be a bustling hub of activity, offering sessions with actionable insights. Among the highlights was "Mastering Live Selling Strategies," presented by Nicole Higgins and Natalie Duvall, which provided practical guidance for integrating live shopping into retail strategies. Another popular session, "Press for Success," saw Amanda FitzGerald and Kirsty Raper share expert tips on leveraging media coverage to enhance brand visibility. 

The final day also featured the Product Pitch competition, where three finalists—Rounded, Sarah Petherick, and Planet Good Earth—showcased their innovative products to a panel of industry leaders. Planet Good Earth emerged as the winner, impressing judges with their eco-friendly educational products, thoughtful design, and commitment to sustainability. Their victory earned them a week-long pop-up at a leading department store in collaboration with Ind!e.

Rounding out the event, the Spotlight Awards celebrated excellence in 11 categories during a live on-stage ceremony on Sunday evening, adding a touch of glamour and recognition to this already vibrant fair.  Here are the winners of the various categories:

Best Newcomer: Studio Frewb

Best New Product, Fashion: Kind Bag

Best New Product, Food: Halen Môn

Best New Product, Gift: PICCOLO Seeds

Best New Product, Greetings & Stationery: Wildwood Paper

Best New Product, Home: Pri Pri

Best New Product, Launchpad: PINNOLE

Best New Product, Play: Best Years

Best New Product, Wellbeing: Salt + Steam

Innovation in Design: Rex London

Best Stand: The Art File

The next edition of Top Drawer is set to take place from September 14 to 16, 2025 and organisers at Clarion Events say they are committed to maintain the fair as a benchmark for the retail industry, highlighting innovation, creativity, and collaboration ensures it remains an unmissable date in the retail calendar.

Commenting on the runaway success of the show, Top Drawer’s Event Director David Westbrooke remarked: “To have three successive years of such significant growth is testament to both the hard work of the team, and the high-regard that the show is held in by the industry; if you want to be in a room with the very best of Retail, Top Drawer is where you do it!”

Photos by Lucia Carpio

Trade Exhibition: Top Drawer returns to Olympia London this September

Top Drawer is set to take place at London Olympia in Kensington from September 10-12, bringing together industry leaders, designers, retailers and trade buyers for a celebration of innovation and creativity in a wide range of products for home and lifestyle, as well as gifts, stationery, fashion accessories.

The event is also continuing their partnership with The Giftware Association this September which will be showcasing the winners of the Gift Of The Year Awards on stand 220 from the 2023 competition.

Trade visitors and attendees can expect to be inspired by a diverse range of gift item across 20 categories including Home Fragrance, Kitchen and Dining and Food and Drink.

Visitors at Top Drawer SS23

Chris Workman, PR & Marketing Manager of Gift of the Year, said it will be an opportunity for attendees to explore the latest trends, and discover unique products and brands. "It also allows buyers to purchase from us at the show, and we will send those orders back to the companies, creating an extra funnel for sales", said Workman.

Also to be featured at this autumn's Top Drawer is a line-up of talks, discussions and masterclasses held under Retailfest for visitors to engage with industry experts, and to gain valuable insights, innovative strategies, and actionable advice to ensure that help their business better equipped to thrive in the upcoming year and tackle any potential economic shifts and challenges.

Among the topics to be covered, London fashion designer Amanda Wakeley will host FOUNDER STORIES - From Dream To Success, in which she will share insights on her route to success and the art of confident entrepreneurship for indie business retailers.

Mary Wallace, a Retail Experience Consultant and member of IBM's metaverse team, will present a conversation-style session to provide practical steps for retailers to enhance their websites and bring their products to life in the immersive world of Web 3.0.

Alice Loveday, Founder Loveday Social @loveday.social, will host a workshop session to give insights into creating stop motion content to boost sales on social media channels and digital marketing, and enhance retailers' online presence to drive sales.

Ami Rabheru, Founder of Retail Huddle and guests will delve into the potential of pop-up shops for online brands, as consumer behaviour continues to evolve and online customer acquisition becomes increasingly challenging.

Top Drawer will also host an exclusive session in partnership with Google, to provide insights on integrating a social media strategy into your business plan for 2023. This masterclass is designed for retailers and brand owners seeking to build an effective digital strategy and capitalise on the available digital marketing channels to achieve their business objectives. In this session, expert partners from Google will guide attendees through the fundamentals of building a robust digital marketing strategy tailored to your business. 

For full details of the RetailFest line-up of talks and events, click HERE. 

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. 

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.

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. 

Top Drawer returns to London Olympia in September under "Retail Revitalised" theme

Top Drawer, UK’s  design-led lifestyle and interiors trade show, returns to the Olympia in the heart of London this September to showcase their Autumn/Winter 22 edit – just in time for the industry's buying season.

Broste Copenhagen at Top Drawer Spring 2022

To be held from September 11 - 13 2022, Top Drawer is expected to attract trade buyers, professionals and industry attendees to its line-up of hand-picked exhibitors, providing exclusive trend directions, and a programme of curated seminar sessions that aim to inspire, according to organisers.

Featuring more than 1,500 brands from the UK and overseas, the show offers a range of products from across the lifestyle spectrum, covered in nine sectors. Exhibitors include the likes of Morgan Wright, CHALK, Roka London, Little Concepts, Aery, Bronte By Moon, Izipizi, Kikkerland Europe, Bookspeed, Plum & Ashby and Alex Monroe to name just a few. 

Turtle Doves, a participant in Top Drawer Autumn 2022 edition, is a British design and manufacturing company, specialising in using post-consumer textile waste
to create new garments & fashion accessories.  

Alongside brands and household names, Top Drawer is gearing itself as a platform for promising new talent; it inaugurated a “Launchpad” sector during the SS22 edition in the Spring.  

For this upcoming edition, the show will continue to put fresh faces in the spotlight, allowing them to network with buyers and trade visitors to help build lasting connections within the industry. 

It will see the return of a partnership with the University of Arts London, as well as introducing a selection of Young Furniture Makers who have been hand-selected to showcase their products and are eager to increase their brand exposure. 

While both the AW21 and SS22 shows aim to provide an opportunity to test the waters in a post-pandemic climate, Top Drawer’s new season message "Retail Revitalised" aims to highlight the beginning of a fresh chapter in the world of retail and looking ahead with an unapologetically positive outlook for this September’s edition, say the organisers.

Top Drawer September 2021 got back in full swing at Olympia, London

After over a year of digital communication and virtual trade shows, Top Drawer September 2021 got back in full swing at Olympia, London. The buzz of the show brought the interior, gift and fashion industry back together once again and has shown  that the future of trade shows is looking very promising, according to organisers at Clarion Events.

Happy homewares from Bombay Duck of London.

With Top Drawer September 2021 complete, organisers look back on the  show that occurred, celebrating hundreds of inspiring brands, from new businesses to new trends and launches, reporting that the fair brought in a variety of distinguished buyers for exhibitors to network with, and exhibitors were able to connect with industry experts, stylists, journalists and creative influencers, boosting sales and brand awareness all in the same place.  

A good selection of accessories, fashion and jewellery designs from My Doris.

Under the RetailFest line-up, attendees were given opportunities to learn, be inspired and chat to movers and shakers such as Holly Lee Tucker MBE (a British entrepreneur, philanthropist, founder of Holly & Co and previous to that, notonthehighstreet) who was one of many speakers who inspired her enthusiastic talk on ways to keep your creative business thriving and future-proof.  

Holly Lee Tucker (above) offered advice from her new book "Do What You Love What you Do"
during her talk at Top Drawer.

Kalkidan Legesse (founder of Sancho’s & Schwap) explored a hot topic in retail and sustainability, and shared her tips and tricks on how to adopt sustainable practices in your business. 

Nikki Snell (founder of Press Loft) had a chat with Emma Morton-Turner and they gave their five top tips to maximise product photography for PR and e-commerce. 

Tobacco Brown was one of the key colour themes for interior and homestyle A/W trends.

Elsewhere at the fair, RetailReveal partnered with Press Loft to take a look into the future of trends and create four influential trends for buyers and exhibitors to use as inspiration. 

The Modern Folk interior trend includes vintage style prints and hand-made accessories.

Hyggen's selected Scandinavian brands
included Have A Look eco-eyeglass-frames.

Here are some testimonials that have given the organisers and industry the confidence to host the next Top Drawer event in the Spring, 16 - 18 January 2022.

Top Drawer is a great place to find interesting new products and a one-stop-shop to make everything for buying for your business just that little bit easier. – Anna Marie Trzebinski, AMTStyling 

Top Drawer is always a great event to attend as a retail professional to check out makers big and small. – Graham Hunter, East of Eden 

High quality, design-led products all under one roof. – Dawn Fuge, Precious Sparkle 

Top Drawer was a fun, friendly event that enabled us to discover new brands and products. As a small business, this saves us a lot of time in research and gave us the chance to meet the people creating products, to see and feel the products themselves and discuss with the company whether they would be able to meet our requirements for sustainability, plastic-free packaging and environmentally friendly ingredients/materials. – Rachel Saunders, Green and Wild 

It was good to be back at Top Drawer in person, nothing beats seeing and touching products in real life and meeting suppliers face to face. – Jo Georgiou, The Ark 

Exhibitor testimonials:

Top Drawer Autumn and Spring are the most important trade shows in our calendar.  No other exhibition in the UK generates such high calibre customers; sourcing for their stores and connecting with us the suppliers. The show gathers a very nice collection of exhibitors offering shops good content for the customer. – Victoria Whitbread, Designed in Colour    

The last 18 months have been really challenging as a business and to have a show to come back to is amazing. The look and feel of the show is still at the highest quality which shows how much the team behind the show cares about delivering a great experience. -  Simon Maghnagi, Forma House

For more details on the next 2022 event, click HERE.

Photos by Lucia Carpio for MyFashionConnectGlobal.

Top Drawer On Demand is returning this January 2021 for the S/S 21 edition

The online edition of the Top Drawer London trade fair returns this month for five days of live content for the 2021 buying season, kicking off on January 25th until 29th, bringing digitally new products from a selection of design-led brands, as well as a programme of talks on the latest trends for the new season and web-presentation of industry developments.  Top Drawer On Demand covers a wide variety of lifestyle prodcts, spanning home, toys and games, craft, fashion, stationery, well-being, food and drink.

Meanwhile, Top Drawer has uploaded on its website webinar contents from the last edition including sessions with Not On The Highstreet's Holly Tucker, designer and author, Sophie Conran and industry icon and interior designer, Kelly Hoppen. To catch up on the full list of talks click HERE.  

Hello Birdie - Lorna Syson's new autumn range teaming up with RSPB

British textile designer Lorna Syson is known for her contemporary bird motifs as an integral part of her signature design style.  Her inspirational take on the British countryside and her ability to bring out the beauty of nature has made her prints for wallpaper and designs for home soft furnishing ever popular, and her new autumn range brings focus on two typical birds popular both in the UK and other parts of the world..


At the Top Drawer and Decorex International trade fairs held at London’s Olympia in Kensington in September and October respectively, Lorna Syson announced she is celebrating 10 years in business this autumn with a collaboration with the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) to create a new collection inspired by her favourite birds and their habitats.  

The two new fabric patterns feature two favourite British birds, the long tailed tits and hummingbirds, well chosen to celebrate the important work the RSPB do protecting birds here and abroad.  
The Blossom & Bird design shown above, in classic tones of navy, grey and soft pink, features pretty long-tailed Tits perching on English cherry blossoms.  
For the Hummingbird design below, Lorna has chosen vivid tones of teal and mint as a backdrop for her majestic hummingbirds hovering amongst honeysuckle.

The range includes curtains, furnishing fabrics, cushions and lampshades.  Made in cotton, all fabric is made and digitally printed in the UK.  The items will be available from RSPB stores and website, and from Lorna Syson's website, and 10% of sales will go to the charity.

Long-tailed Tits and Hummingbirds are popular species both here and abroad and Lorna's work with the RSPB help to raise awareness of the RSPB's work in the UK and around the world, where they run conservation projects across Africa and Asia.  

Geometric shapes and forms are new jewellery trends this Spring.

What’s new this spring?  The regularity of well-balanced shape and geometric form in contemporary jewellery.  

Matrick Jewwellery

Alma Sophia Grønli Geller

These are some of the latest in sculptural contemporary jewellery that I look forward to find at the Spring edition of Top Drawer due to take place at London Olympia 17 – 19 January.

3D printed jewellery and decorative homewares from In-Spaces

IN-SPACES is a new London design studio and retailer that features an experimental concept, blending the inspiration of nature with modern technology for its unique collection of homewares, gift accessories and jewellery collection.

As spotted at recent London 100% Design and Top Drawer trade fairs, the British brand’s new jewellery collection caught my attention because the range was created with cutting-edge 3D printing and experimental techniques.  

Taking inspiration from architecture and nature, the Jeneaulle Black Collection is made in black nylon with a matte finish.  While the design boosts contemporary lines with a free-flowing spirit, the pieces are flattering yet incredibly lightweight. 

Using the same technique there are also intricately 3D printed photo frames featuring fluorescent ornaments in the shape of flowers and other structures such as butterflies and hummingbirds that can be removed and perched on the frame wherever we like.

The complex process involves the development of algorithms that enable the transfer of the magnolia tree to be printed, creating a textured aesthetic.

The two photos immediately above and the one below are by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect, taken at the 100% Design trade show at London's Earl's Court.

The decorative elements can even come in gold finishes.  In-Spaces can alter and customise the designs to suit individual taste. 

 Also featured at 100% Design was a mirror design with similar 3D design elements as the picture frames.  The mirror sample on show features a lit-up back light, demonstrating the many possibilities of the design concept.

All products are sold on the In Spaces website, as well as in their new London showroom at 3 Tottenham Street, Fitzoria, London, W1T 2AF.