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RARE TREAT It’s not often we’re surprised and delighted when it comes to shopping these days and finding a gift that’s not only gorgeous but unique is a challenge. Thank goodness, then, for the Rare Brand Market
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hen Emma Schwartz found herself living down in Sussex having left the retail rat race in London, she knew there was a market in the county for a fresh shopping experience - one which she says would ‘surprise and delight’ customers. That was the beginning of the Rare Brand Market, an exciting new way to buy the things you love, including clothes, food and drink and oh-so-gorgeous gifts. And possibly the best bit about it is that it’s all, well, rare! That means you can find things that many others haven’t yet and buy or give truly unique products and presents. It’s all part of Emma’s inspiration for the company. “I was just so bored of the high street. I would walk around the shops and about 10 per cent of what I found would impress me. It was all the same and the majority of it was run by big brands. And I thought, If I’m looking for something refreshing then I know others are too. So I’ve created a way to bring new and exciting brands and businesses to Sussex”, Schwartz told Fine Sussex. The mum of three has a long-established career in retail and has worked for Marks and Spencer at its baker street head office as well as for a furniture retail company, the start-up of which she was heavily involved with. But her interest in shopping dates even before her retail graduate training scheme. “My mum loved shopping. I used to get dragged around flea markets, food markets and all sorts of places. I developed a good
special - the suppliers and sellers are all selected personally by Emma, so you can be assured of their credibility. Plus they all attend the events and markets, so customers get to chat face to face with the people who made the products. Emma added: “This experience is for people who want to be involved more in the whole process, and who want to actually see or meet the people who are selling to them. It’s a really fantastic way to shop. It’s also for those who care about what they are giving to others. If you buy a gift from the Rare Brand Market, chances are it will have a story to tell, and that it will actually mean something to the person you are buying it for.”
eye for nice, quality things as well as customer interaction. Then when I went on to work for the furniture company I learnt about the importance of quality and integrity when it comes to retailing. The culmination of all my experience is the Rare Brand Market.” Shchwartz has also been spurred on by something of a renaissance in all things independent. These days, demand for quality products that are made by local or small companies that tell a story is on the rise, while many get exasperated with the same old names in the shopping mall or street. That’s one other thing that makes the Rare Brand Market so
I thought, If I’m looking for something refreshing then I know others are too. So I’ve created a way to bring new and exciting brands and businesses to Sussex Just a small selection of more than 100 brands that attend the markets include Beatle Bag, which makes gift bags, What on Earth Books, Cornish swimwear company Deck Out, menswear business Regent Tailoring, Roots Living - a Scandinavian home accessories company and Bloomingville - for stunningly gorgeous gifts. And many of them are
emerging brands that will go on to do great things. For example, Connock of London is a previous supplier at the Rare Brand Market and is now sold in Selfridges. “That was always one of my goals with the business - to help and promote small but great emerging brands and give them a platform to show people what they do. Then, as they grow, they move on... it’s what keeps things ‘rare’!” But it’s not only tangible products you can leave with. At the Rare Brand Market, services are for sale too. Notably a chalet maid-style service for your home, which involves help with the cleaning, the kids and the cooking. You’ll even find great coffee. “I was so fed up of going to markets and fairs and getting really bad coffee! So I approached the Vintage Coffee Company who are now setting up shop at the markets”, Emma told Fine Sussex. Events are held throughout the year and this Christmas sees them return to Goodwood on 14 and 15 November, The Assembly Rooms in Chichester on 14, 15 and 16 December as well as a new market which will be set up at the Corn Exchange at Brighton Dome on 7 and 8 December. A proportion of profits will be donated to Winston’s Wish. Its the most innovative initiative to happen to shopping in years full of fresh young businesses and equally exciting ideas. Just like the products on sale, the Rare Brand Market is a real find. For more information go to therarebrandmarket.co.uk
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