Chopova Lowena Opens First Store, The Clubhouse, in East London

Fashion duo Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena-Irons have opened their first bricks-and-mortar store, The Clubhouse, at 84 Teesdale Street in east London. The space, which opened to the public over the weekend, is designed as a folkloric clubhouse and girl's bedroom, reflecting the brand's patchworked aesthetic. The store features handmade Polish pinewood wardrobes, vintage door knockers, custom light fittings by Saelia Aparicio, ceramic vases by Alake Shilling, and a skirt bar where customers can customize Folkloric or taffeta Carabiner skirts. The designers, who met at Central Saint Martins and founded Chopova Lowena in 2017, left their longtime Deptford studio to downsize to a workspace above the new store. The store includes a letterbox for visitors to post secrets, which will be compiled into a monthly newsletter, and offers chocolate-covered Bulgarian dates and traditional tea upon entry. The furniture was largely designed and built by Chopova's partner, David Pringle, and the space was sourced over months from Bulgaria, eastern Europe, America, and the UK. The store will host events such as poetry nights and book clubs, and will be staffed by the entire team, including the founders. The opening was celebrated last Thursday with a cake by Nil Mutluer, AKA Healgoblin. The brand's e-commerce sales have grown year on year, and the store represents a milestone after the founders' early struggles, which they refer to as 'the year of depression' in 2018.