Organized by Budapest’s own Little Black Management as the first of several pop-up shops to be held across Central Europe with a goal of introducing the styles of neighbor nations to each other’s fashionistas, this premiere retail experiment couldn’t be located in a more picturesque place. Within the Bellevue Room at the Sofitel, several racks of innovative threads and tables full of artisanal products are displayed before a panoramic vista overlooking the Danube and many postcard superstars of Budapest’s riverfront, including the Chain Bridge, Royal Palace, and Mátyás Church.
Among the independent Czech designers presenting their wares here, the sparkling handmade jewelry of Kat uses brilliant gems like sky-blue turquoise, creamy opal, crystal-blue sapphire, and vividly violet amethyst to complement golden charms based on motifs of nature. Prague-based leather crafter Ivana Ostřanská provided several high-quality purses styled with unconventional curvature, along with alligator-skin mobile-phone holders, from her latest IO Bags collection. Meanwhile, the showroom is enhanced with the alluring aromas of Meadows scented candles, featuring fragrances like blackcurrant leaves, ginger tea, rustic wood, and cashmere.
Representing Slovakia’s newest trends, clothing designer Jana Gavalcova offers several ready-to-wear dresses, skirts, and scarves emblazoned with variegated floral prints with visible pixilation, alongside other attractive attire made with unorthodox materials. Handmade handbags crafted with shiny fabric, tight stripes, and playful polka dots are proffered by Popular, while Novesta sells sassy sneakers created in a variety of pastels and simple black to complement almost any casual apparel.
The Little Black Pop-up Shop is open daily between 11am and 7pm through Sunday, July 20 – and anyone who arrives for the concluding day will receive a 10% discount when purchasing whatever duds haven’t already been snapped up.
