It’s that time of year again, when the Fash Pack descend upon Hackney for TAT, the Designer Collective who occupy The Hackney Shop for one month every year to host an amazing and unique designer sample sale.

TAT is a collaboration of creative talent orchestrated by young British designer Kelly Shaw who runs her own successful womenswear label, Kelly Shaw London. Each year, Shaw selects like minded designers and collaborators to fill the shop with amazing pieces of clothing, art, shoes, accessories and jewellery and London’s Fashionistas lap it up. TAT Collective runs for one month, but if you want a piece of the action, you have to be quick as the shop is constantly jam packed with people looking for a designer bargain or an amazing one off.

This years collaborators are perhaps the best yet, scouted by Shaw during the Tapis Rouge Capsule Collective fringe event at Paris Fashion Week earlier this year; there’s minimalistic Year One, Urban cool duo Jena.Theo and Kelly Shaw London heading up the clothing department and for all you accessory lovers out there, Fox and Belle have created a capsule collection of collars and silk scarves in bold digital patterns that are sure to turn heads.  Long time TAT Collaborator Muldark & Co. are back this year with a collection of shoes and sandals perfect for Summer, and limited edition artwork is provided by uber cool Artist Jem Doulton.

The shop itself is in good company, nestled amongst the Burberry, Aquascutum, Anya Hindmarch and Jigsaw outlets, but with one main difference: with TAT, you’re not following the crowd, you’re leading it.   You’re buying into something far more urban and unique, think Street Stylers and Wearable Art and you’re on the right track.

I paid a visit to The Hackney Shop this week and couldn’t resist stocking up on a few amazing pieces for my stylista wardrobe. I’m always on the look out for something different and with TAT, that’s exactly what you get.  Shaw’s collection packs a punch, all about quiet protest and challenging proportions, the collection is packed with dresses of various shapes and lengths adorned with digital prints created by artist Jem Doulton. Shaw is on to a winner with her intelligent, punchy slogan tees, reminiscent of early Henry Holland, she has taken the most basic item in a designers arsenal, and made it culturally relevant with slogans such as; ‘Generic’, ‘The Riot Starts Here’, ‘Normal People Worry Me’ and my personal favourite, ‘Living The Dream’.

Jena.Theo are a London based design duo with an amazing selection of oversized muscle vests, tunic dresses and denim daubed with gold and silver for a street flavour.  Winners of the Fashion Fringe Award in 2009, the duo have made a niche for themselves and know what it takes to create a standout collection.  There’s a gorgeous denim dress of theirs that catches my eye, simple and straight in shape with the addition of a tan leather seventies style collar.

Year One are conceptual and minimalistic in style and have brought a collection of all black super soft leather shell tops, pencil skirts, shorts, dresses and jackets including an amazing one off (sorry people, it came home with me), as well as some silk pieces.  the juxtaposition of textures is very Kanye…. If you get a chance to head over to the shop, the chances are you’ll see Shaw working on her Spring Summer 2016 collection, her pattern cutting table has been moved into the shop for the duration of the 2015 stint and she’s busy preparing for London Fashion Week.  The theme for which is ‘Change’.  You heard it here first Voyeurs.

How to sum up TAT? Well, if you’re reading this then you’re a fellow fashion lover and TAT is Young British Fashion at it’s best.  It’s a fashion lovers paradise; It’s fun, it’s intelligent and it’s current. It’s more than a trend, it’s a movement and a sample sale is a great way to jump on board. With huge discounts to be had on some amazing pieces (including one-offs and specially created pieces), it’s a great way to introduce yourself to some new brands and all for prices similar to those on the high street.

If you don’t believe me then consider this, there’s an eye-wateringly beautiful hand painted British mohair coat in there with a retail price of £1200 which is being sold for £250 but you’ll have to race me as I’m back next week for round two……

Pixie x

TAT Collective is open at The Hackney Shop 7th May – 7th June 2015 to Sunday 11am to 8pm 

Can’t make it to TAT Collective?  Fear not, you can shop the current Kelly Shaw London collection at the Young Brit Designers website and the other brands via the links above.