The Virgin StartUp Christmas Fair 2015
Christmas is rapidly approaching, and with it decorations, frosty nights, festive cheer - and gift-buying, of course. With so many amazing businesses starting up in the UK, it's never been a better time to support your local businesses. So we're thrilled to be holding our very own Virgin StartUp Christmas fair, featuring VSU-funded businesses - an opportunity not just to buy gifts, but to celebrate the businesses we're helping to get started and thrive every year.
Thank you so much to everyone who applied to be a stallholder - we had almost a hundred applications, but sadly could only choose a limited number. We're really excited to announce the businesses that will be trading:
Rose Rankin
Rose Rankin creates beautiful handmade sneakers with a luxury twist. Founder Rose has a lifelong love of sneakers, and spotted a gap in the premium footwear market to jump in. She describes her products as "playful, creative, luxurious but everyday", and they're already causing a stir in the blogosphere.
Smith and Sinclair
Smith & Sinclair create the world's first edible alcoholic pastilles - each one will set you back half a shot! Pioneers in the edible alcohol field, they've recently opened a pop-up on Carnaby street where you can enjoy alcoholic dib-dabs, candyfloss and more.
Ro Co
Ro Co create DIY kits for the keen indoor gardener to bring new life into their home. Handmade from their conservatory on the edge of Hampstead Heath, each kit comes beautifully packed with curious hand-picked elements, from preserved cotton flowers to quartz crystals.
The Sup Luv
The SupLuv is a natural, chemical-free and artisan beauty and health brand that creates and curates holistically formulated skin and wellness products. Founder Bethany also creates fantastic wellness bundles - smartly curated products to combat any health issue from detox to relaxation, gathering super foods, skincare and tools into small travel-friendly kits.
ZULU London
ZULU LONDON launched in 2014 with a focus on bold-print boxer short,s and the range has evolved into a full collection of leisurewear for men and women with bold printed men’s swimwear and bralette sets for women. Bold in print, bold in action - 10% of the profits on underwear sales go to supporting South African AIDS charities.
8 Hour Studio
Eight Hour Studio is a luxury sleepwear brand. The pieces are made using organic cotton, traditional hand block printing and a fair trade supply chain. The cuts and prints are unique and stylish enough that founder Sonia Padem says you can wear them "from bed to beach or bar!"
Tea Time
TeaTime create healthy, unique herbal tea blends that are caffeine-free and sugar-free with individual health benefits. The tea selections are delivered to your door in a subscription service - but for the fair you can create your own pic 'n' mix tea selection.
ZAAZEE
ZAAZEE is a women's sportswear brand made using excellent technical fabrics in stunning colours and is perfect for running, gym and yoga. Zaazee recently won its first women's running award and sold over £20k in 12 months.
The London Marshmallow Company
The London Marshmallow Company create gourmet handcrafted mallows that celebrate the tastes and flavours to be found all over the capital city. What sets them above other gourmet marshmallow brands is their unique French-inspired recipes and their flavours, which incororate homemade nut pralines and other delicious toppings.
The Glamorous Jam Co.
The Glamorous Jam Co. produce delicious, small batch, handmade jams in flavours that will intrigue and delight such as Blackberry & Amaretto and Raspberry & Basil. Founder Kimberley was also a contestant on 2014's season of The Great British Bake Off.
