Our ‘Shop Independent Holiday Gift Guide’ for 2022 is here!
It’s officially November and here at The Emperor’s Old Clothes we are beginning to think about what we are going to gift to our friends + family this holiday season. As a team, we are passionate about supporting small and independent businesses and believe that this is the way forward in supporting fellow artisans and creatives.
Year three of the pandemic has been just as tough as the previous two, now with the cost of living crisis here in the UK too, it is so vital that we continue to support businesses that pay a living wage and support their team all-year round. Whether that’s focusing on their personal development, encouraging creativity and expanding on their current skill-set – these are the individuals and businesses we believe need our support.
Not only will you be supporting local talent, you will also be buying from people who care about the environment. Gifting from the high-street often means you will be purchasing mass-produced, low quality items that are damaging to our planet and have been created using exploitative working conditions.
We’ve had so much fun collaborating with independent brands who share the same ethos as us – as ever we hope our ‘Shop Independent Holiday Gift Guide’ for 2022 inspires you to be more mindful of where you spend your money this holiday season.
We’ve curated amazing products that range from clothing, homewares, books, jewellery and more. We hope you love these products as much as we do!
Assorted Prints by Aleesha Nhandra
Tree Planter A3 Risograph Print by YUK FUN | £20
Bitter Lemon Neon Edition A4 Risograph Print by 2b Or Not 2b | £15
Cowboy Frogs in Love A4 Risograph Print by 2b Or Not 2b | £15
Dim Sum Huns Print by Boe Studios | £14.99
Cute Rabbit Henderson A4 Risograph Print by 2B Or Not 2b | £15
Elephant Helper A3 Risograph Print by YUK FUN | £20
Happy Shoppers Riso Art Print A4 by YUK FUN | £13
Pastel Pink Dancing Lemon Cap by 2b or not 2b | £24
2B OR NOT 2B
Manchester based artists + siblings Elsa + Sarah are illustrators with a passion for storytelling. They hope their illustrations make you smile, feel accounted for and hopefully to make your day a little better.
Prices from: £2.50 – £36.
Shop all 2B or not 2B’s art here.
Follow them online here.
Bitter Lemon Neon Edition A4 Risograph Print by 2b or not 2b | £15
Cowboy Frogs in Love A4 Risograph Print by 2b or not 2b | £15
I Just Really Really Really Love Bread Cap by 2b or not 2b | £ 24
AJA BARBER
Aja Barber is a writer, stylist and consultant whose work deals with the intersections of sustainability and the fashion landscape. Her work builds heavily on ideas behind privilege, wealth inequality, racism, feminism, colonialism and how to fix the fashion industry with all these things in mind.
Purchase “Consumed” here.
Follow Aja online here.
“Consumed” by Aja Barber | Paperback £9.49
Leopard Face Enamel Pin by Aleesha Nandhra | £8
ALEESHA NANDHRA
Aleesha Nandhra is an illustrator and sometimes printmaker with a sweet-tooth based in London. They also collaborate in the running of Mil Ke Chai – An artist led café which aims to serve chai and create spaces that nurture friendship and enterprise across class, caste and religion.
Prices from £3 – £150.
Shop all Aleesha’s art here.
Follow Aleesha online here.
Assorted Prints by Aleesha Nhandra
Assorted Hand Painted Ceramics by Anna Soba
ANNA SOBA
Brighton based artist Anna Soba is an illustrator who is obsessed with cats, plants, tigers and nudes. She dabbles in different mediums including clay, lino printing, monotype printing, murals, window displays, hand painted clothing and more.
Prices from: £0.70 – £160.
Shop all Anna’s art here.
Follow Anna online here.
Assorted Hand Painted Ceramics by Anna Soba
Chunky Wool Stocking Kit by The Bargello Edit | £65
THE BARGELLO EDIT
After falling out of love with sewing and in a bid to find a mindful and less involved craft, Nerrisa Pratt, founder of The Bargello Edit, discovered Bargello tapestry after a late night of Pinterest scrolling. Fast-forward to now, Nerrisa is continually inspired by the patterns and colours that Bargello creates. The Bargello Edit is bringing this easy to master, colourful craft to a new audience of modern makers (that’s you!) through a series of online workshops, supplies, kits and her book.
Prices from: 60p – £62.
Shop The Bargello Edit’s kits and more here.
Follow The Bargello Edit online here.
Chunky Wool Stocking Kit by The Bargello Edit | £65
“Bargello” by Nerissa Pratt for The Bargello Edit | £15
“The Book of Non-Binary Joy” by Ben Pechey | £12.99
BEN PECHEY
Ben is a freelance writer, fashion critic, proud Leo and LGBTQ+ Activist.
“Growing up I never saw or knew anybody like myself. Fast forward to right now, and I am incredibly comfortable with myself and am visibly present in society. I am existing and thriving as a member of the LGBTQIA community. I hope that I can be the representation for people just like me, giving them the chance to feel accepted that I so often struggled to feel growing up. “
Purchase “The Book of Non-Binary Joy” here.
Follow Ben online here.
“The Book of Non-Binary Joy” by Ben Pechey | £12.99
‘Citrus Blooms’ Floral Dungarees UK 22-24 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £145
Sh*t Happens Tee by Boe Studios | £29.99
Dim Sum Huns Print by Boe Studios | £14.99
Self Care Print A5 by Boe Studios | £6.99
BOE STUDIOS
Boe (she/they) is a Queer Illustrator of Colour from London. Their work explores themes of sexuality, gender and race; focussing on activism for People of Colour and the LGBTQ+ community.
She describes her work as “a mix of contemporary illustration with influences from nature, tattoo culture and alternative fashion.”
Prices from £1.50 – £19.99.
Shop all Boe’s art here.
Follow Boe online here.
Dim Sum Huns Print by Boe Studios | £14.99
Ribwort Tumblers by Buchlyvie Pottery
BUCHLYVIE POTTERY
This small team create an evolving range of hand-crafted and painted porcelain tableware in a range of modern and nature inspired designs by Eilidh, Craig and Emma. The pottery shop was established in 1989 by Eilidh’s mother Alison Borthwick, and also features a curated selection from some of Scotland’s finest contemporary ceramicists.
We’re incredibly sad that they will be closing their doors at the end of this year so make sure you get in there + snap up one of their last ever pieces whilst you can.
Prices from: £9 – £48.
Shop Buchlyvie Pottery here.
Follow Buchlyvie Pottery online here.
Ribwort Tumblers by Buchlyvie Pottery
‘Bonfire Night’ Circle Skirt Two-Piece UK 10-12 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £129
Design Your Own Scrunchie – Small by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £12 each or 3 for £30
Design Your Own Scrunchie – Large by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £15 each or 3 for £40
Sh*t Happens Tee by Boe Studios | £29.99
Pastel Dream Necklace by RayMakesThings | £48
“Queer Body Power: Finding Your Body Positivity” by Essie Dennis | £14.99
Happy Shoppers Riso Art Print A4 by YUK FUN | £13
Marble Dip Dye Tapered Candle by Nina Bombina Art | £7.99 each
“The Good Ally” by Nova Reid | Paperback £9.49
Assorted Hand Painted Ceramics by Anna Soba
DIY Mosaic kit by Qemamu Mosaics | £19.99
Classic Love Drop Earrings – Silver by RayMakesThings | £27
Paperclip Chain Drop Earrings – Gold by RayMakesThings | £33
Snug + Rib Sock Set by K.Moods | £30
Pastel Pink Dancing Lemon Cap by 2b Or Not 2b | £24
THE EMPEROR’S OLD CLOTHES
And of course there’s us! As many of you will know we create one of a kind clothing + accessories from vintage + dead-stock fabrics with a design your own service and ready to wear collections for a UK living wage in Brighton + Hove, UK. Our order deadline for design your own clothing for pre-Christmas delivery has passed but you can design your own accessories, purchase our ready to wear pieces + treat your loved ones to gift vouchers here.
Sizes UK 4-6 – 30-32. Shop The Emperor’s Old Clothes garments + our all new accessories here.
Prices from £12 – £200+
Design Your Own Scrunchie – Small by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £12 each or 3 for £30
Floral Dungaree Culottes ‘Yellow Meadow’ UK 12-14 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £135
Design Your Own Scrunchie – Large by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £15 each or 3 for £40
Design Your Own Scrunchie – Small by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £12 each or 3 for £30
‘Primary Posy’ Floral Dungarees UK 18-20 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £135
Design Your Own Large Frilly Headband by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £35 each
Sparkly Navy Blue Handbag by The Emperor’s Old Clothes £38
Powder Blue Organdy Teadress by The Emperor’s Old Clothes Available for purchase via DM
“Later” by Curtis Ackie + Constanza Goeppinger | £9.49
“Zazi Finds Plantain” by Ogaga Emuveyan + Asma Aden Mohamed | £9.49
“Let’s Skate!” by Claire Ndario + Kandice Johnson | £9.99
“A Grand Place” by Leighan Renaud + Elizabeth Lander | £9.49
“The Calicolour Cat” by Curtis Ackie + Sydney Jackson | £9.49
“Lines, Lines, Lines!” by Luke Elliott + Asma Aden Mohamed | £9.49
“Seedlings” (12+) by Curtis Ackie | £11.99
FORMY BOOKS C.I.C
Formy Books CIC is an independent family-run publisher, creating a diverse range of beautiful and inclusive children’s books. Our mission is to increase positive black representation across all genres in children’s literature.
“We are passionate about platforming and amplifying black creative talent in publishing.”
Prices from: £3 – £36.99
Shop all Formy Books PDFs + soft cover books here.
Follow Formy Books online here.
“Queer Body Power: Finding Your Body Positivity” by Essie Dennis | £14.99
“The Book of Non-Binary Joy” by Ben Pechey | £12.99
“Bargello” by Nerissa Pratt for The Bargello Edit | £15
“Big Dress Energy: How Fashion Psychology Can Transform Your Wardrobe and Your Confidence” by Shakaila Forbes-Bell | Hardback £16.14
“The Good Ally” by Nova Reid | Paperback £9.49
“Consumed” by Aja Barber | Paperback £9.49
Little Leaf Medallion Necklace – Silver by Izzie Artisan | £49
IZZIE ARTISAN
Izzie is a botanical artist based in Brighton, she designs + makes jewellery, paintings and interiors. The unique pieces celebrate natural forms and the striking colour variations ensure that no two pieces are the same. She works with recycled silver, brass, copper, freshwater pearls, beads, leather and other textiles. She also creates greetings cards and prints for your home.
Price range: £3.25 – £185. Find Izzie’s work here.
Follow Izzie online here.
Ginkgo Leaf Pendant – Gold by Izzie Artisan | £75
Little Leaf Medallion Necklace – Silver by Izzie Artisan | £49
Monstera leaf necklace (with holes) – Gold by Izzie Artisan | £89
Monstera leaf necklace (with holes) – Gold by Izzie Artisan | £89
“Queer Body Power: Finding Your Body Positivity” by Essie Dennis | £14.99
ESSIE DENNIS
Essie is a queer plus size artist, writer and fashionista. Their debut book ‘Queer Body Power: Finding Your Body Positivity’ published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers is out now.
Purchase “Queer Body Power: Finding Your Body Positivity” here.
Follow Essie online here.
“Queer Body Power: Finding Your Body Positivity” by Essie Dennis | £14.99
“The Book of Non-Binary Joy” by Ben Pechey | £12.99
‘Citrus Blooms’ Floral Dungarees UK 22-24 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £145
Snug Socks – Oatmeal by K.Moods | £16.50
K.MOODS
K.Moods was created by Kathleen Moodie and is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Each K.Moods piece is made by hand on a domestic knitting machine in their studio based in the creative hub, Summerhall. Kathleen creates textiles that are sustainable and comfortable, while designing with zero-waste and along the slow fashion ethos.
Prices from: £9.50 – £55.
Shop Kathleen’s knitted wares here.
Follow K.Moods online here.
Snug + Rib Sock Set by K.Moods | £30
Marble Dip Dye Tapered Candle by Nina Bombina Art | £7.99 each
NINA BOMBINA
Nina Bombina is a brand that aims to bring joy to its customers. Nina uses a lot of bright colours to make cheerful, fun homeware and gifts.
“I’ve been super arty from a very young age and have always wanted to design and make products; Lockdown gave me the opportunity to get creative and at the same time I wanted to bring more diversity to the greetings card industry, so began designing cards with black and brown characters on the front. Once they got picked up by Moonpig, Funky Pigeon and Thortful, and started selling on Etsy, I started designing prints and making earrings and candles”
Prices from £3.50 – £24.99
Shop Nina’s colourful wares here.
Follow Nina online here.
Marble Dip Dye Tapered Candle by Nina Bombina Art | £7.99 each
“The Good Ally” by Nova Reid | Paperback £9.49
NOVA REID
Nova Reid is an Activist, TED Speaker and author passionate about helping people role model the change they want to see. Nova is an advocate for equity, collective healing and helping people use self-agency to role model change. Her debut book The Good Ally, published by HarperCollins is out now.
Purchase “The Good Ally” here.
Follow Nova online here.
“The Good Ally” by Nova Reid | Paperback £9.49
DIY Mosaic kit by Qemamu Mosaics | £19.99
QEMAMU MOSAICS
Dionne Ible is a UK mosaic artist currently living in Bedfordshire. She discovered mosaic art in 2002 whilst looking for a creative hobby to do outside of her job and after a 10 week course she was hooked!
“Mosaic is like meditation to me. It allows me to explore and delve into my innermost thoughts, grab what’s there and express it with tiles and colour. Whilst I create, I either listen to music or motivational and empowering messages. As woman of African descent, my art tells a story of my culture, attire, vibrancy, nature and creativity.”
Prices from: £1.50 – £49
Shop Dionne’s kits + home decor here.
Follow Dionne online here.
DIY Mosaic kit by Qemamu Mosaics | £19.99
Pastel Dream Necklace by RayMakesThings | £48
RAY MAKES THINGS
Rayane is a Lebanese postdoctoral researcher in Psychology who moved to London in 2016 for a PhD. A sudden interest in creating jewellery began whilst she waited for biopsy results in 2019. The results came back negative and making and selling jewellery has brought her happiness and meaning to her life in ways she can’t describe.
“I was originally exposed to freshwater pearl jewellery through my mum – an artist and jeweller who used to run a social enterprise in Lebanon. Following in her footsteps, I am dedicated to fundraising for charities whose visions fit my morals. As such, I also use my platform as a means of fighting against any form of injustice – including those around mental health, gender, sexuality, race, and class privilege.”
Prices from: £13.60 – £77.
Shop Rayane’s jewellery here.
Follow Ray Makes Things online here.
Classic Love Drop Earrings – Silver by RayMakesThings | £27
Paperclip Chain Drop Earrings – Gold by RayMakesThings | £33
Natalie Pearl Charm Necklace – Gold by RayMakesThings | £57
Floral Dungaree Culottes ‘Yellow Meadow’ UK 12-14 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £135
Large Boob Mug with retro design by RebeccaWiseStudio | £26
REBECCA WISE STUDIO
Rebecca Wise Studio was created in 2019 by Rebecca (she/they) after exploring body positivity and self love. They make handmade pottery and art celebrating body acceptance, self love and nature. Using colourful palettes, eco friendly glazes and illustration Rebecca hand builds, hand paints and hand glazes every piece of pottery by hand with love and care in limited small batches. Rebecca is mindful of the environment by reusing packaging and sourcing recyclable or biodegradable packaging where possible.
Rebecca also likes to paint and dabbles in graphic design with a love for typography and illustration.
Prices from: £16.50 – £26
Shop Rebecca’s ceramics here.
Follow Rebecca online here.
Large Boob Mug with retro design by RebeccaWiseStudio | £26
‘Citrus Blooms’ Floral Dungarees UK 22-24 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £145
SHAKAILA FORBES-BELL
Shakaila is a fashion psychologist and best selling author of “Big Dress Energy; How Fashion Psychology Can Transform Your Wardrobe And Your Confidence”. Drawing on in-depth research and work with clients, Shakaila offers universal tips and cutting-edge advice that will empower you to shop in a more mindful, sustainable and inclusive way.
Purchase “Big Dress Energy” here.
Follow Shakalia online here.
“Big Dress Energy: How Fashion Psychology Can Transform Your Wardrobe and Your Confidence” by Shakaila Forbes-Bell | Hardback £16.14
Bub Bonnet – Knitting Pattern by Lydia Morrow | £5
Floral Dungaree Culottes ‘Yellow Meadow’ UK 12-14 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £135
WHAT LYDIA MADE
Lydia Morrow is a designer, stylist, creative designer, artist, fit consultant and big time textile enthusiast. She wants to keep her patterns financially accessible so there are discount codes in all of the listings on Payhip for people who would struggle to afford them otherwise.
Prices from £5 – £15.
Shop Lydia’s patterns here or here.
Follow Lydia online here.
Curio Collar – Knitting Pattern by Lydia Morrow | £5
Bub Bonnet – Knitting Pattern by Lydia Morrow | £5
Dora Grey Organic Sweatshirt by YUK FUN | £135
YUK FUN
YUK FUN is an independent label making illustrated stuff for awesome people who love colour, animals and fun! Founded by Lucy Cheung and Patrick Gildersleeves in 2014. They work from their home studio in Portslade-by-Sea screen printing, making clothes and drawing.
Prices from: £6 – £260.
Shop YUKFUN here.
Follow them online here.
Christmas Cards 2022 by YUK FUN | 5 for £13.00 or 10 for £22
Happy Shoppers Riso Art Print A4 by YUK FUN | £13
Dora Grey Organic Sweatshirt by YUK FUN | £135
Ray Of Sunshine Candle by Zero Waste Path | £24
‘Citrus Blooms’ Floral Dungarees UK 22-24 by The Emperor’s Old Clothes | £145
ZERO WASTE PATH
Created by Bianca and Giulio in February 2018, Zero Waste Path really cares about finding the best natural ingredients and using the most sustainable possible plastic free packaging. Bianca and Giulio manufacture all their products in their workshop. They carefully select their suppliers and take care of every aspect of what they do – this is because they prefer to have direct control over as many aspects of their company. Profits are spent in a responsible way with a focus on sustainability, human and animal welfare.
Prices from: £3 – £19.
Shop Zero Waste Path’s handmade candles here.
Follow Zero Waste Path online here.
Walk In The Forest Candle by Zero Waste Path | £24
Ray Of Sunshine Candle by Zero Waste Path | £24
Autumn Bonfire Candle by Zero Waste Path | £24
Herbal Garden Candle by Zero Waste Path | £24
We hope you’ve enjoyed this year’s guide and have discovered lots of new brands to buy from this holiday season!
CREDITS
Gift Guide modelled, photographed, created + curated by Jodie Dafe (she/her) + Maxxie Travis (they/them) + Cecily Blondel (she / her) at The Emperor’s Old Clothes
So many amazing items! I really want people who have Emperors Lemon garments to gift 2B or not 2B lemons to their loved ones, while attired in lemons!!!! And I personally especially love all of the pottery/ceramics! And that knitted collar! Unfortunately, while I can crochet, I can’t knit! Boo to meeeee!!!! Thank you for the amazing gift guide Emperors. Amazing book recommendations too!