Mayor joins forces with Battersea Power Station to give London's creative designers their own pop-up shop this festive season
Some of London’s best up-and-coming designers and makers have launched their own pop-up shop in the run up to Christmas, thanks to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Located inside Turbine Hall A at the iconic Battersea Power Station throughout December, the London Made Me shop is home to a unique collection of limited-edition art, jewellery, homeware, clothing, ceramics, accessories and gifts.
The artists, all based in the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zones, have collaborated in the shop’s design, helping them develop the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to further their creative businesses. This year’s selected retailers include artists, designers, ceramicists and fashion designers.
The shop includes a partnership with world-famous photographer Rankin who will bring RANKIN Live to the space on Wednesday 11 December – so customers can have their portrait taken in-store. He will also be hosting a Q&A and masterclass session with the shop creatives to help them take their businesses to the next level.
Shoppers will also be given the chance to get creative, with an exciting programme of interactive events and workshops, including in-store live art and product making, jewellery making, candle making, the opportunity to create their own festive decorations, greetings cards and more.
The initiative gives creatives living or working in one of the Mayor’s 12 Creative Enterprise Zones the skills, knowledge and real-life practical experience needed to build their brands and further their creative businesses. The 12 zones are dedicated to supporting emerging artists and creatives – particularly from under-represented backgrounds - to put down roots in their local area with access to affordable creative workspace.
The pop-up shop has previously been in Regent Street (2022) and Carnaby Street (2023).
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “I am thrilled to see the London Made Me shop open at the landmark Battersea Power Station. Thanks to the Mayor’s Creative Enterprise Zones, we are supporting some of London’s most exciting up-and-coming creatives with this sought-after retail space over the festive period.
“With retailers offering everything from bespoke leather goods to hand-illustrated cards, East African inspired womenswear to typewriter art, this year’s shop shows the best of our capital’s creatives, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Rankin, Photographer, said: “London’s creativity is unmatched, and working with the Mayor of London on ‘London Made Me’ is an amazing way to champion that talent. In the run-up to Christmas, I’m excited to meet the incredible artists behind the work for the store. London thrives on its diversity and creativity, and it’s a privilege to be part of it.”
Michelle Cuomo-Boorer, Managing Director of Grow London Local, said: "London’s creativity is its heartbeat and the London Made Me Shop showcases it brilliantly. At Grow London Local, we’re proud to champion artists and creatives from the Mayor’s Creative Enterprise Zones. Supporting small and micro businesses is at the heart of what we do."
Donagh O’Sullivan, CEO at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said: “We are thrilled to be home to this year’s London Made Me pop-up shop. Supporting small, independent businesses and artists has always been important to us when creating the new retail, leisure and cultural destination at Battersea Power Station - from the independent retailers in Circus West Village, to the various pop-up markets and art installations inside the Power Station itself, and permanent stores such as Curated Makers and the Battersea Bookshop. We are delighted to welcome the 12 London Made Me artists, designers and makers and encourage everyone to come down to see their products, take part in the interactive workshops and show their support this festive season.”
Hanaa Bawamia, Owner of La Plante Carnivore: “London Made Me has been an incredible experience, and the biggest challenge undertaken yet for me and my small business, La Plante Carnivore. Already the design phase has been invaluable and I’ve learned so much from the guest experts and from my wonderful colleagues.”
Rebecca Morter, CEO of Lone Design Club, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Mayor of London and Battersea Power Station on this inspiring initiative. At Lone Design Club, we aim to support our partners in helping creatives and independent brands by providing them with the tools, spaces, and opportunities to shine. The London Made Me shop exemplifies the power of collaboration, bringing together incredible talent from the Creative Enterprise Zones to showcase their work in one of London’s most iconic locations.
“This project not only celebrates the creativity and innovation of our city but also equips these entrepreneurs with vital skills and real-world retail experience to grow their businesses. It’s an honour to be part of this journey and to witness the vibrant diversity of London’s creative community on full display this festive season.”
Find out more about the creatives taking part this year, full event listings and more: www.london.gov.uk/LDN-Made-Me-Shop
Notes to editors
Notes to editors:
The shop officially opened today [Thursday 5th December] at Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd West, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD
The London Made Me shop is located on the Upper Ground Level of Turbine Hall A (South Entrance, off Malaysia Square and Electric Boulevard and the tube entrance).
Trading dates:
Sunday 1 December - Sunday 29 December (closed Wednesday 25 December)
Opening hours:
Monday - Saturday: 11am - 8pm, Sunday: 12pm - 6pm
About the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zones
The Creative Enterprise Zone programme is one of the Mayor of London’s flagship cultural programmes dedicated to ensuring artists and creatives – particularly from under-represented backgrounds - are supported to put down roots in their local area with access to affordable creative workspace and artist studios, to develop their careers, and also support local people to learn creative sector skills and find new jobs.
A report published in 2023 into the original six zones revealed creative businesses in these zones recovered faster (22% growth in the Zones versus -4% for London as a whole) than the rest of London despite the challenges of Brexit, the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
There are now 12 Creative Enterprise Zones across the capital, and in the next few years the programme will have increased new, permanent, affordable workspace by more than 71,000sqm (the equivalent of ten football pitches).
About London Made Me Retail Development programme
The London Made Me Retail Development programme is delivered by the Mayor of London as part of his flagship Creative Enterprise Zone programme.
The programme was founded in 2022 in collaboration with Alice Mayor, a leading creative retail consultant and the founder of We Built This City.
The project is delivered in partnership with Crafty Fox Market and Lone Design Club, with support from Alice Mayor, Grow London Local and Visit London. This year’s programme has been delivered with help from Battersea Power Station, RANKIN and Paul Smith’s Foundation.
Before the Battersea store opening, this year’s 12 featured London creatives took part in retail development training led by successful modern craft market business Crafty Fox Market who took them through key topics including customer experience, business planning, product development, event organisation, marketing and PR and more.
Retail experience experts Lone Design Club are running the shop alongside the participants. They worked with the creatives on design and visual merchandising.
Now in its third year, the programme has seen past participants successfully build their creative businesses. Fashion Meets Music, which represents a collective of Black-owned creative businesses, has since hosted spaces in Westfield Stratford City, John Lewis and Chiswick House and Gardens. Clothing brands Attique London went on to secure concession spaces in Percy Langley in Spitalfields and Islington and May’s Boutique in Richmond, while OMINISS has opened a shop on Brick Lane, selling their clothing and accessories range and providing their alteration and repair services.
About Battersea Power Station
The regeneration of Battersea Power Station has created London’s most exciting mixed-used neighbourhood – a place to shop, eat, drink, live, work and play. Welcoming over 23 million people since the Power Station opened to the public in October 2022 from the local community, London and further afield, visitors can now enjoy over 150 shops, bars, restaurants and unique leisure experiences in and around the iconic Grade II* listed building.
Battersea Power Station is home to a mix of premium, high street and small independent brands, over 50 cafes, bars and restaurants, state-of-the-art leisure and entertainment venues including Lift 109, a unique glass elevator experience inside the building’s north west chimney offering 360° views of the London skyline, and an annual calendar of free events and cultural activities.
For more information, please visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk and follow @BatterseaPwrStn to keep up with the latest news and events.
Creatives taking part in London Made Me at Battersea Power Station 2024:
Alice Makes Pottery
Alice (Ah-lee-tse) is a self-taught potter based in Haringey (Made by Tottenham zone). She crafts wheel-thrown tableware with harmonious lines and a unique twist inspired by her Italian roots. Her functional, fun, and durable pieces are designed to enrich your everyday rituals.
· www.alicemakespottery.bigcartel.com
· @alicemakespottery_official
Bello Creations
Tayo Bello is a West London jewellery designer from Brent (Ealing Road and Alperton zone) passionate about creating ethical, handcrafted pieces that celebrate individuality and timeless style. Inspired by nature’s beauty, the designs blend elegance with everyday wearability, making the wearer feel confident and effortlessly distinctive.
· @bellocreations_jewellery
Black Culture Market
Black Culture Market, from Lambeth (Make it in Brixton zone) was founded to transform opportunities for Black entrepreneurs, addressing the striking statistic that only 0.24% of early-stage capital reaches Black business owners. What began as a Brixton-based initiative has grown into a dynamic retail platform, showcasing the best Black-owned brands and empowering African and Caribbean entrepreneurs to thrive. By encouraging consumers to shop small with Black-owned businesses, Black Culture Market fosters economic growth, champions cultural heritage, and drives systemic change.
· www.blackculturemarket.co.uk
· @blackculturemarket
Elvira Sazesh
Elvira Sazesh, from Hackney and Tower Hamlets (Hackney Wick and Fish Island zone) is a contemporary London based jewellery designer who loves upcycling unconventional materials such as light weight suede and leather to create true jewellery art forms.
· @elvirasazesh
Katy Wheeler Ceramics
Katy is a designer from Hackney and Tower Hamlets (Hackney Wick and Fish Island zone) lives and works in East London and has Yorkshire roots. She has been creating her hand-built original artworks for over five years and is inspired by colour, pattern and form. She adores working with clay and her pieces are playful and joyful; something to bring a smile and to look fabulous on your walls.
· @katywheeler_
Keira Rathbone Typewriter Art
Keira’s journey began with a desire to type, where tapping a single letter turned into intricate patterns and launched over 20 years of pioneering typewriter art. Keira, based in Hounslow (Creative Enterprise West zone) sees typewriter characters purely as shapes and textures and the subjects she observes (from life and in public, where possible) dictate which characters she uses to ‘typict’ them. The interaction with people of all ages, cultures and status that typing in public generates inspires Keira to keep exploring this medium.
· @KRTypewriterArt
La Plante Carnivore
Unique, colourful, sweet and joyful stationery aiming to bring you a smile! London made by Hanaa from La Plante Carnivore with a nod to British and Mauritian flora and sweet anecdotes from family and friends. The products are uniquely designed and produced locally while Hanaa ensures the paper products are recyclable, FSC certified, chlorine-free, wood-free and protected by compostable packaging. Hannah is based in Ealing (Acton and Park Royal zone).
· @_laplantecarnvivore
Precious Scars Studio
Kira Smith, founder of Precious Scars Studio from Lewisham (Deptford and New Cross zone), turned the simple accident of breaking a bowl into a lifelong obsession with Kintsugi, drawn to its philosophy of embracing imperfections during her own journey of healing. Through her work, she fosters connection, helping others honour their scars with grace and empathy.
· https://linktr.ee/preciousscarsstudio
· @preciousscarsstudio
Scene in London
Samantha Foley, founder of Scene In London, creates original artworks celebrating London’s landmarks and neighbourhoods. A guiding principle of the brand mission’s is to use art and creativity to celebrate and support London’s unique communities. Samantha is from Croydon (Croydon Creative zone).
· @scene_in_london
Tandi Fashion
Tandi Fashion is a London-based brand that celebrates East African heritage through bold, timeless designs crafted from iconic kanga fabrics, blending cultural storytelling with modern sustainability. Founded by Thandi Ojeer, based in Islington (Archway zone), the brand rejects traditional fashion cycles to create limited-edition, expressive pieces that empower individuality while preserving cultural history.
· @tandi.fashion
YIBRI
YIBRI, founded by Yvonne Lin, derives its name from "Vibri," Esperanto for vibration. The brand crafts a timeless yet modern wardrobe, blending style, function, and quality with a purpose beyond trends, reflecting strength and sensitivity. YIBRI is based in Hackney and Tower Hamlets (Hackney Wick and Fish Island zone).
· @yibri_official
Yussico
Yussico, from Lewisham (New Cross and Deptford zone) is a leather goods label and consultancy founded by award-winning designer and leather craftsman, Yusuf Osman. A lawyer turned leather advocate, he is on a journey to share his experience of how we can lead a more meaningful life by slowing down, reconnecting with craftsmanship and appreciating natural materials.
· @yussico