Coal Drops Yard is the home of independent womenswear style at King’s Cross. Here we’ve rounded up some of our favourite destinations for shopping unique, sustainable and one-off fashion pieces. Discover brands from around the world and create extraordinary looks.
Emin & Paul
London-based designers Emin Young and Paul Kim launched their namesake collection in 2008. The brilliance of Emin and Paul is their ability to simplify daily dressing while maintaining a feminine edge and working with unusual shapes that give their clothes a contemporary feel.
The collections are continuously inspired by paintings and art, and the sensual feel of the garments comes down to the two designers touching every part of the crafting process, from pattern cutting to fitting, draping, and each final finish. Emin + Paul’s clever cuts and fluid shapes give womenswear classics an elegant and contemporary feel.
Astrid & Miyu
Be bold and book in for a piercing or tattoo at Astrid & Miyu. Schedule an appointment with one of their expert technicians that will take the ‘scary’ out of getting a new piercing or your first tattoo. If you are not quite ready for such a commitment, then browse the beautiful, affordable jewellery perfect for stacking, to create a completely unique look tailored to your style.
With pretty pastel pink walls, Monstera plants and cool neon lighting, stepping into the Astrid & Miyu store is a delight from the outset. It’s a place time can really run away from you. The perfect stop off during a long afternoon of retail therapy.
Cissy Wears
Nicola Eyre founded Cissy Wears when she saw a gap in the market for people who don’t want to compromise on their taste just because they’ve had kids. The result is an eclectic flagship store with some of the most innovative products and brands on the market. The curated edit is put together by Nicola herself and includes the most beautiful and sustainable brands from around the world, including Saga Copenhagen, Heimess, Neu Oils and more.
Whether you’re searching for a beautiful babygro, a pair of earrings for that super chic mother you know, or the perfect sustainable gift for a birthday party, there’s something to suit every need.
Ace & Tate
The dutch brand designs super stylish eyewear at affordable prices. They use only the best materials and are committed to sustainability. The company’s mission is to be a driver of positive change within the industry, proving that sustainability, style and affordability are entirely compatible.
Their glasses are timeless – round, square, bold and classic – meaning they really do look good on everyone. With prices starting at £110 including prescription, there’s really no reason not to. In store customers can take advantage of free eye tests and same-day service, while online there’s a prescription checker and ‘Virtual Try On’ app.
Cubitts
Founded in King’s Cross in 2013, Cubitts is an independent British eyewear specialist, making made-to-measure frames by hand. They apply modernist design principles to their creations, while allowing for your unique character to shine through. Their enduring spectacle styles will stand the test of time, encouraging you to buy rarely and repair when required.
Each pair of glasses goes through fifty crafted stages of production over a period of six weeks, including four separate stages of polishing to ensure a glorious lustre to the finished frame. Extended eye exams are also available in-store. They don’t just check your prescription, they are looking for any slight changes in your eye health.
Maya Magal
Founder and creative director of her eponymous brand Maya Magal spent years honing her craft as a jeweller in Hatton Garden, before opening her own studio. Today she has built a brand that applies traditional techniques to create one-off contemporary designs.
Maya Magal’s designs are sustainably handcrafted in limited runs by her teams of skilled jewellers. The brand’s signature organic shapes and mixing of metals can be found throughout the collections. Each piece is designed to be worn regularly, not just to be brought out on special occasions.
Wolf & Badger
Wolf & Badger was founded by brothers Henry & George Graham in 2010 with a small boutique in Notting Hill, expanding two years later to a second location in Mayfair. Since then the two London stores have transformed into a three-level department store at Coal Drops Yard.
They make it easy and enjoyable to find and buy sustainably and ethically produced jewellery, fashion, accessories, homeware and beauty, without compromising on quality and design. Their aim is to foster all things innovative, from avant-garde fashion to store design to business practice to food, creating a forward thinking global community built upon the age-old pillars of skill, craftsmanship and quality.
Outsiders Store
Founded in 2017, in the north west of England, Outsiders Store was born of the realisation that today’s modern adventurers want fewer but better products to take with them on their journeys. The Outsiders Store at Coal Drops Yard is the brand’s only London outpost and visitors can expect to discover a thoughtfully curated offering of clothing from independent, specialist brands alongside equipment from tents and sleeping bags to coolers and camp stoves.
Shop with the confidence that everything they source is versatile, durable and functional outdoor gear, for both men and women, that is designed to last and last!
Boutique by Shelter
This is a charity shop with a difference: they sell designer and vintage pieces at a fraction of the original price. Every year, Shelter helps millions of people struggling with bad housing and homelessness. The income generated from the Boutique by Shelter store helps those in need to access vital Shelter services. You can shop until you drop without breaking the bank, and the store also accepts donations. So, if you have a few high-quality pieces you no longer use or wear, please bring them along.
Visit Boutique by Shelter at Coal Drops Yard to shop sustainably and in support of a great cause.
Kiosk N1C
Kiosk N1C began its life as a magazine about King’s Cross, before becoming a living, breathing, physical part of the area. You’ll find the store on Lower Stable Street, which it has also had a hand in shaping and curating.
The people behind the brand are local experts on who and what’s happening in the area and Kiosk N1C is a place to celebrate fashion, beauty, music and the arts. It hosts a brilliant array of pop-ups, workshops, film screenings and experiences. Expect to find a special edit of pieces from emerging fashion and lifestyle brands, as well as independent books and magazines too.
Beyond Retro
Britain’s most celebrated retro store is known for an eclectic mix of vintage gear handpicked by fashion experts priced according to the second hand nature of the clothes rather than the quality, which is often far superior to what you’ll find on the high street.
Alongside thrift store basics like jeans and beautifully soft tees, you’ll find a gorgeous selection of vintage dresses, coats and accessories.
Paul Smith
Synonymous with the best of British style, Paul Smith’s eponymous label started life in a 3x3m shop in Nottingham and now counts over 150 stores in 60 countries. The go-to store for women who want to look elegant and chic but never boring, Paul Smith sells modern classics and bright, bold, standout pieces.
Alongside beautiful cuts, often in mouthwatering colours, you’ll find a selection of beautifully made accessories, alongside artwork, design collaborations and unique objects sourced from around the world.
