Fashion / Good Store Studio
The Good Store Studio pops up on Old Market
Collaboration isn’t a meaningless buzzword in Bristol. With many independent businesses coming together to keep the creativity flowing as a collective, rather than battling alone, it feels like a sensible and natural step against rising rents and gentrification.
As the fight to become more sustainable and less corporate continues, a new collective – Good Store Studio – are making a change in the way independents work.
The idea comes from three independent girl bosses: Emma White from upcycling and sustainable fashion brand Duvet Days, entrepreneur Beth Izzard from Bzzaar and The DIY Supermarket, and Josee Irvine, fashion designer at Palace Flophouse.
is needed now More than ever
Find Independent designers and makers at Good Store Studios on Old Market
“We have created an umbrella business,” explains Beth. “It’s a lifestyle store selling DIY Supermarket products by various artists, along with clothing by Duvet Days and Palace Flophouse.”
This group of creative friends have found a supportive space for their pop-up at Two’s Company Studios on Old Market, where Beth is also the studio manager.
“I heard that Emma was looking for a place that could be both a studio and a shop,” says Beth. Previous to the Good Store Studio, Emma had been working from her home studio in Easton, initially coming up with the idea to start a sustainable fashion business in London six years ago.
Upcycling fashion queen, Emma White of Duvet Days gets her dream studio space
“Working from home is horrible. I needed to get out!” says Emma. “My home studio is free so I didn’t want to rent anywhere expensive. I kept saying I want a studio and a shop and I wanted it on Old Market.
“It’s so good around here. It’s so up and coming, I get my shirts made at Jokoto Tailoring and my nails done at The Gossip Nail Bar. I really love it.”
Emma’s clothing line involves making garments out of upcycled bedsheets. “I specialised in upcycling at university, and I’ve always been into sustainability and ethical clothing. It started after I found this amazing fabric, with boomboxes and smiley rave faces on it – it was mental! I made a two-piece out of it and thought, ‘I want to start making more of these!”
Super-cute kidswear upcycled from duvet covers by Duvet Days
Emma made clothes as a part-time hobby for friends, while working for sustainable upcycling label Good One, in London. “I wanted to keep my own brand sustainable but with upcycling clothing you are limited on fabric,” Emma says. “I then thought, what about duvet covers? They’re big! And that was it!”
She made the move to Bristol two years ago, after the cost of living in London started to take its toll: “I had friends in Bristol and every time I came here I didn’t want to leave. I love it here!”
Good Store Studio founders Beth Izzard and Emma White enjoying their new venture
There does seem to be something magical about Bristol’s independent scene that offers more support and opportunities for start-ups and collaborations. “There is no way I would have started up any of my businesses somewhere else,” says Beth, who is originally from Hampshire. “Everyone in Bristol is up for helping you all the time, which is really lovely.
“With Good Store Studio, we wanted to keep being different and open people’s eyes to see that independent doesn’t have to mean madly expensive. There is a difference between luxury independent, which is great, if you can afford to buy these things, and affordable independent, which is what we are all striving to be.
Pastel and earthy linen co-ords by Palace Flophouse sit with homewares, cycle helmets and plants from independent businesses
“Independent is never going to be cheap because its all handmade by artists and creatives but making it more affordable can open doors for people to shop independent more. It’s a gateway to independents.”
With both Duvet Days and Palace Flophouse offering made-to-measure services, Emma is also determined to change people’s minds on buying independent.
“We don’t actually charge any extra for made to order pieces; people just expect that it’s going to be a ridiculous price,” she says. “I’m just happier that it fits the customer. My friend is having a baby and she loves the Palace Flophouse jumpsuits. Josee is making her a bespoke jumpsuit that she can wear as she grows and we can then nip in after the baby is born. We can do things like that.”
A collective of designers and artists bring affordable independent creations to Old Market.
There is something exciting about seeing the makers at work in the open-plan studio space: it seems to make everything so much more accessible. You get to meet the makers and can even request made-to-measure pieces. Plus, you get to meet Emma’s beloved studio dog, Bill Murray.
“It’s nice to put a face to the maker,” Beth says, pointing out the garments that Emma and Josee have made. Everything can be altered, too. “I like to be the hype girl at the front of the shop!” she says, as she starts to big up the third member of the Good Store Studio, in her absence.
Independent designers wares from The DIY Supermarket are now available at The Good Store Studio
“Josee makes incredible jumpsuits and some amazing linen co-ords. She originally started making things for friends. I’ve got a lot of Palace Flophouse commissions. Her stuff is classy and her attention to detail is unreal.”
“She is a really good tailor,” adds Emma, “I think being here is going to be so good for her. It’s exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing her grow.”
“I think us being here all the time makes a difference too,” says Beth. “A closed studio space can often be quite lonely.”
Duvet Days (right) create fun, bright coloured unisex clothing for both adults and children
The three women aren’t the only creatives who have contributed to the pop-up shop. Their branding was done by Ami Nowlan from Cut Film, also based at Two’s Company, and the shop stocks products from other businesses on Old Market, including flowers from Pretty Wild and greenery from Old Market Plants. “Old Market is really supportive,” says Beth.
The store is filled with lovingly handmade fashions, contemporary art prints and stylish homewares by independent artists and designers. The Good Store Studio ladies have many more ideas up their sleeves, including workshops that promote sustainability, including upcycling crop tops out of pillow cases (which is how Emma uses up all the fabrics from her recycled duvets).
A great selection of homewares and jewellery all handmade by independent designers
“We are a pop-up and plan to be here for about six months,” says Emma. “It’s a good way to test the waters.”
“If our business model works, we want to hold book clubs and small events too, making the space multi-use,” adds Beth. “We were both so excited to come to work this morning!”
“I think having somewhere we can work and sell is just perfect,” says Emma. “We can’t stop smiling!”
Find the Good Store Studio pop-up at Two’s Company Studios, 61 Old Market, Bristol, BS2 0EJ
Read our Fashion Editor Emma’s blog: No Debutante
Read more: That Thing launch their independent festival fashion brands for 2019
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
