Brick Lane Market on a Sunday is typically buzzing with both tourists and locals strolling through the stalls selling fresh fruit and veg, street food from various cuisines and second-hand books and antiques.
The Main Street is just one of London’s many urban artistic hubs; graffiti art covers the concrete walls and every few metres musicians are performing their own unique sound.
The food and music aren’t the only things that attract the chaotic crowds of people; the countless vintage clothing stores, such as Rokit and Blitz, make Brick Lane a gold mine for vintage finds and the place to be for some street style inspiration.
Artefact has been to meet some of those out hunting for bargains.
Emily Rawsthorne at Brick Lane Market wearing Levis jeans and Comme Des Garçon converse
Name: Emily Rawsthorne
Age: 21
Occupation: Fashion Marketing Student and PR Assistant
From: Northampton
Style inspiration: “I would say I get inspiration classic old movies and TV shows. Like Pretty Woman, Rachel and Monica from Friends. I love retro classic Levis jeans and white tee’s. I like oversized and shapeless pieces with a feminine touch.”
Favourite item: Shoes, Comme des Garçon Converse
Instagram: @emraws
Fashion student wearing Places and Faces bumbag, Nike trainers and Columbia coat
Name: Ekdanai Jaisa Ard
Age: 23
Occupation: Fashion Styling Student
From: Thailand, living in San Fransisco
Favourite item: rings
Instagram: @thankk_k
Rings on Ekdanai Jaisa Ard
Chris McGuire outside his market stall on Brick Lane
Name: Chris Maguire
From: Southampton
Occupation: vintage clothing market trader at Brick Lane Market and director of Clubhouse Clothing
Style inspiration: “I find pieces that I like and try and merge them together in an attempt to be different and feel cool. I am influenced by the people I surround myself with and try to support them however I can. For instance, the trousers are from some of my friends that are trying to create their own brand, the scarf is from an old boss doing her own thing, the coat is just TK Max and I made the jacket myself.”
Instagram: @mcguireee
Olivia and Joe outside a vintage clothing store
Name: Olivia Donnelly and Joe Moyle
Age: both 17
Occupation: both students
Style inspiration: “I use Depop a lot, Depop is the way forward; you can get items a lot cheaper there. We’re kind of co-ordinated today, both wearing Kappa.”
Favourite items: Olivia’s Kappa trousers and Joe’s Kappa puffa jacket also from Kappa
Instagram: @oliviadnnelly & @jjoe1036
Hannah Edwards outside Rokit clothing store
Name: Hannah Edwards
From: Australia
Style inspiration: “Today, my boyfriend was just like ‘get out of the housemate.’ I just throw on whatever, I don’t really have a style. I’m wearing mostly Primark and cheap shit.”
Favourite item: Coat from Monki
Instagram: @hellwards
Louis Benzouita at Brick Lane market
Name: Louis Benzuoita
Age: 20
Occupation: Music performance student and singer/songwriter
From: Cologne, Germany
Style inspiration: “I would say my style is quite urban, I like to play with colours and have a contrast in my outfits. I also like layering and wearing baggy clothes. I get a lot of inspiration from people on Instagram.”
Favourite item: shoes from Converse
Instagram: @louisbnz
All images by Elana Dickson