You may have noticed that every week on Gloucester Road a new shop appears. And then that new shop disappears and then another one opens, offering exhibitions, workshops and clothes. This is the work of Pop-Up Brighton, who have created an initiative called It Is What It Is which gives start-up companies the opportunity to set up shop in Brighton for a week at no charge to them. This week the store is under the ownership of McIndoe Designs, a company that designs clothes with fun, tropical designs. They do everything from co-ordinated sets to baseball caps. As this is a special, one week only event, McIndoe designs have teamed up with three other brands to create a truly unique experience and customers will be able to buy limited edition and one off pieces as part of the project. As part of their pop-up, McIndoe designs are holding a workshop where you can design and make your own bunting. I spoke to Maddy, the designer, to ask her a bit about the company and why she applied for the Pop-Up project.
How did you come about starting your own design company and what was the main inspiration for your designs?
I always knew I wanted my own design company so after returning from a jolly around South America in 2013 I started working on the label, hence the tropical feel of the designs.
What made you apply to take part in the Pop-Up project?
I found out about the scheme online, which gives young people the chance to try out their ideas on the high-street and just applied on impulse, although I’ve wanted to try selling the designs in Brighton for a while so when I found out I’d been accepted I was super happy.
And finally, what is your favourite thing about Brighton?
It’s so much more relaxed than London (where I live) – every time I come here I feel like I’m on holiday!
McIndoe Designs will remain a pop-up store in Brighton until the end of the week, and then a brand new store moves in. The design and make your own bunting workshop is tomorrow evening, the details of which are on the poster. We wish Maddy good luck with McIndoe Designs and hope that one day she will open a permanent shop in the Laines! If you can’t get down to the Laines this week, you can have a look at her products on her website www.mcindoedesign.com
Picture of Gloucester Road by Martin Hearn
