“They started as a small project in Bahia, Brazil, and it’s amazing to see their growth,” said Eco Age founder Livia Firth of sustainable luxury accessories brand Bottletop at the launch of their London pop up last year. And last night, just twelve months on, she joined fellow supporters of the brand, including Carmen, to celebrate the opening of its first standalone store, on the same city street.
UK-based Bottletop was founded by Cameron Saul, who created the label with his father and Mulberry founder Roger Saul. And what began as a collaboration to support artisans in the developing world and charitable foundation funding education projects, has since grown into one of the most innovative accessories brands in the country. From soft leather totes to printed organic cotton backpacks and structured leather clutches, Bottletop offers a range of luxury accessories crafted from sustainably sourced and upcycled materials using artisanal production techniques.
At last night's launch event (L-R): Tania Fares of The BFC Fashion Trust, Carmen, Bottletop co-founder Oliver Wayman, Livia Firth, Mira Duma and Cameron Saul.
The new London flagship combines the handmade with contemporary art and the latest in high tech design to create a futuristic environment where customers can not only shop the Bottletop collection, but learn about the brand’s ongoing mission to use design to empower artisans and support the planet’s fragile resources. A bespoke in-store scent created by perfumer Timothy Han and a series of bespoke playlists from record producer Mario C, who produced the Bottletop Band album featuring Carl Barat (Libertines), Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys) and Gruff Rhys, add another unique element to what is an inspiring and immersive store experience.
Brand supporters Mira Duma and Livia Firth with Carmen at Bottletop's new London flagship.
The “world’s first zero-waste retail space”, according to founder Cameron Saul, the futuristic design project was inspired by the sculpture of a can minus the ring pull created for Bottletop by Turner Prize-winning artist Rachel Whiteread, a tongue-in-cheek play on the negative space of the metal not used in the Bottletop designs, and expanding on this concept over 2,700 cans were used to create the store's metal canopy. Shelving has been wrapped in certified zero deforestation leather from Sao Matheus Farm in Alto Floresta, consoles have been wrapped in re-purposed sheet aluminium and the flooring is made from upcycled rubber tyres.
Visit Bottletop at 84 Regent Street, London W1B 5RS