On Tuesday, 25 April 2023, the day of its 50th anniversary, Monsoon opens the doors to a pop-up boutique on Portobello Road, right where the brand’s story began.
Fifty years on from its original Portobello Road market stall, Monsoon Vintage lands at 237 Portobello Road, London, with a pop-up boutique selling rare vintage treasures from Monsoon and other designers from the era.
Bay Garnett, ex-Vogue and Cheap Date, known as the ‘Queen of Thrift’, was creative collaborator on the store; providing a design vision for the store fit-out and interiors, and curating the vintage pieces, which are a mixture of archive Monsoon, and vintage pieces from other well-known designers.
She says: “Not many fashion retailers can celebrate 50 years in the business, that’s why I am excited to be a creative collaborator on the Monsoon Vintage pop-up boutique. A love of vintage is in my DNA, so it’s been a joy to curate pieces that chart the fashion heritage of Monsoon through the decades. Trends come and go, but this singular and independent brand has remained committed to free-spirited style over five decades. Come a to visit Monsoon Vintage boutique while it’s here for a trip down Monsoon’s memory lane (and a good trip down other vintage lanes too…) and the chance to find original, gorgeous pieces. ”
For a limited period, customers can shop in the retro pop-up, fitted out with velvet armchairs and vintage art. There are also Monsoon archive campaigns on display, including rare shoots with Bond actress Jane Seymour.
April is Monsoon’s birthday month, with celebrations including an anniversary shoot with Jane Seymour, special events and promotions for Monsoon’s customers, and three special collections. In February it launched The Originals, a collection that draws upon the fine fabrics and rich embroidery that started Monsoon. This month Monsoon released a collection of vibrant beach and casualwear made in partnership with students at the School of Design Technology students at London College of Fashion, UAL. A third anniversary collection, as yet unannounced, will be released in May.
