Holiday Markets Around the World
From LA to Berlin, we hunt for some of the best Pop Ups the season has to offer
by Laura Feinstein
The winter season always seems to bring the reliable trappings of festive cheer: trees and wreathes, carols and bells, and the ubiquitous pumpkin spice latte. But one tradition that we always look forward to most is the holiday market. Whether it’s the traditional markets of Prague or Brussels, or something a little more contemporary like a retail concept store or pop-up, nothing puts us in the spirit more than a few yuletide gems. For more discerning revelers, this year offers a plethora of one-of-a-kind, bespoke and artisan fairs to choose from. Below, we’ve culled some of our favorite picks for holiday one-stop shopping needs, from LA to Berlin and back again.
New York
Neuehouse Holiday Bazaar: This Saturday, co-working and event space Neuehouse will be putting together a bazaar to help you pick out presents for even your pickiest, design-oriented friends and family. “We wanted to create the antithesis of the kitschy holiday markets that saturate the city around Christmas,” says Neuehouse Director of Cultural Programming Michelle Grey. “Drawing on our community of creatives in the fields of art and design we curated a selection of vendors that will offer holiday shoppers unique options for holiday gifts.” Among many, many options choose from brands like Other Criteria, Jon Burgerman, M. Patmos, Love & Paint, Svbscription, Bande Des Quatres, Souda (featured here) and CH favorite Crest & Co. (110 E 25th Street, 13 December)
The 2014 Pop Up Flea: One of our yearly favorites, this weekend’s globe-traveling Pop Up Flea finally comes home after its trips through Tokyo, London and Detroit. Curated by Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean, over 70 brands will unite at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea this Friday for their largest event ever. This year boasts labels like Billykirk, Alexander Olch and Tanner Goods, in addition to under-the-radar brands like Waltzing Matilda and Askov Finlayson. Bringing an extra touch of seasonal whimsy to the event, there will be an indigo dying station from Buaisou as well as several other surprises. (125 W 18th St, from 12 December-14 December)
London
House of Voltaire: The biennial pop-up shop by London’s Studio Voltaire recently unveiled some of the chicest holiday offerings around. A collaboration with French fashion house Chloé, on display is “a cornucopia of unique artworks,” rare prints and bespoke décor, clothing and accessories by popular contemporary artists and designers, as well as stationary and rare limited-edition Chloé goods. This luxurious shopping experience will also go to a good cause: the support of Studio Voltaire’s renowned gallery and education programs. (39-40 Albemarle Street, Second Floor, through 20 December)
LA
Lincoln & Rose Holiday Gift Pop-Up Shop:
Taking the online to IRL, Californian blog and online marketplace Lincoln & Rose will be hosting a brick-and-mortar homage to several of the local artisans and designers they’ve helped support. There promises to be plenty of vintage and one-of-a-kind items for the lady in your life. (315 Lincoln Blvd, through 31 December)
Of A Kind Pop-Up Shop: Another online shop making a rare appearance on our physical plane, bespoke digital retailer Of A Kind—who specializes in rare and limited edition goods—will be setting up temporarily for the month at the Melrose TenOverSix store. We recommend checking out bags, jewelry and home goods by designers like Ace & Jig, Workaday Handmade, Fort Makers and Baggu.(8425 Melrose Ave, through 31 December)
Berlin
Freunden Von Freunden Pop Up Apartment: Open just Saturdays 13 and 20 December, Berlin-based lifestyle publication Freunde Von Freunden will be hosting guests in their first-ever FvF Apartment, located in the posh Mitte district. Designed by Swiss manufacturer Vitra, FvF will offer specialty products culled from their illustrious community of international artists, designers, culinary experts and everything in between, as well as exclusive collaborations with creatives Sean Woolsey, The Principals and Various Projects. While you can preview some of the goods at FvF’s online shop, if you’re in Berlin be sure to stop by their temporary home for seasonal goodies from All About Raw, BerlinerWinter, Paper and Tea and more—followed by a wintry backyard BBQ. (Mulackstr. 26, 13 and 20 December)
Paris
Maison Nordik Pop-Up NOËL: A touch of Scandinavian minimalism in glamorous Paris, Maison Nordik recently opened a pop-up shop near the Centre Pompidou in the 3rd arrondissement, open everyday until 23 December. If you’re in the area, pick up curated selections of furniture and decoration items as well as distinctly Nordic seasonal Christmas decoration. (182 rue St Martin, through 23 December)
Hotel Boheme Bazaar And Pastry Market: Located in a mansion in the 2nd arrondissement close to the Grand Rex and Rue Montorgueil, Hotel Boheme offers this weekend a careful selection of young local designers with an ethical bent. Pick up unique, handmade, small batch, recycled and bio friendly goods, while trying the teas provided Løv Organic and sugary goods from Jojo & Co, who have moved their Pastry Market to Hotel Boheme for the holiday event. (6 rue Beauregard, 13-14 December)
Images courtesy of respective holiday markets
