Overview
Back in the late noughties (or oh ohs, depending on your vernacular), when Leona Lewis was bleeding love everywhere and Gabriella Cilmi was persuading us of her assured lack of sweetness, Paddington Fringe Market was the go-to place for all things emerging designer and high-quality vintage.
In smashing news for buyers and sellers of indie fashion, the ultimate comeback market is making a comeback of its very own. Between 9am and 4:30pm every Saturday from mid-September onwards, The Unicorn (106 Oxford Street), will transform into a retail experience that would be enough to turn Drew Barrymore into an overexcited mess.
Over both the ground floor and the basement bar (better known as Easy Tiger), there'll be jewellery, sunnies, hats, dresses and only Audrey Hepburn knows what else. Every item will be either a genuine example of vintage goodness or a unique creation, envisioned and put together by an up-and-coming designer.
"When my brother Nathan first set up the markets back in 2008, they were the hottest place to go to find great new designers, vintage clothing and accessories," explains The Unicorn’s general manager Luke Sullivan. "We're relaunching the markets in their original format with the aim of building them back up to the hub of fashion they were in their heyday."
If you happen to be a designer or entrepreneur, there's a tiny number of stalls left for hire. Send Luke an email at luke@theunicornhotel.com to nab one — they're sure to vanish faster than you can say Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
The Paddington Fringe Market returns to The Unicorn at 106 Oxford Street, Paddington in mid-September (opening date TBC). The markets will be open between 9am and 4:30pm every Saturday, free entry.