Emily Chalmers started her styling career at Good Housekeeping magazine. Since then she's been a London-based freelance interior photographic stylist and the author of several home-style books. Her latest venture is her new shop, Caravan, in London's East End.
Occupying one of the old market buildings surrounding historical Spitalfields market, Caravan sits in one of London's most popular 'destination' shopping areas. With the financial district on one side, and bohemian Brick Lane on the other, the shop caters for all ages, male and female.
Caravan was originally borne from Emily's love of floral textiles. Having successfully sold the signature Caravan skirt for a year through a friend's shop nearby (a simple, yet classic A-line skirt, hand-made from recycled vintage floral fabric), Emily decided to branch out and offer a selection of designs for the home and to wear, through her own retail outlet.
From beautifully knitted toys for cats, to singing birds and gold footballs, Caravan offers a wide range of unusual and eclectic pieces. Large items of furniture, such as an antique Indian four-poster bed, sit amongst vintage dressmaker's dummies and stacks of vintage floral fabric covered suitcases.
The shop is lit by black chandeliers and concrete hanging lights the shape of oversized light bulbs. Classic French industrial lighting is given a modern twist and offered in a palette that includes bubblegum pink and bright orange. Stock is constantly changing and all items, both new and old, are personally sourced from across Europe and the USA.
Opening hours:
General opening hours are as follows:
Monday - closed
Tuesday to Friday - 11am to 6pm
Saturday - 12pm to 5pm
Sunday - 11am to 5pm
These hours may be subject to change, so do please call if you are making a special visit.
