from ideas to

build strong relationships with the clients we work with – we love when they come down to see how their garments are made.

“Moving to Design District was about growth, but also about breaking the stereotype that manufacturing takes place in large spaces with no natural light. Here we have a beautiful space that is comfortable for our workers.

“We are trying to be as open as possible to show that manufacturing is not something scary that happens in the background but something people can see.

With the core business on a stable footing, Karyna has turned her attention to a fresh, albeit complementary venture, in recent years.

“I got a scholarship to study for a masters degree in international fashion business at Polimoda in Florence, which led me into thinking about what other ways there might be to develop Fabrika,” she said.

“We’d got to the point where everything was working without me having to be in direct control –I didn’t have to worry 24 hours a day anymore. So I stepped back a bit and tried to decide what other options there might be.

“I’ve always been creative and I wanted to put a little bit of creativity back into my business.”

The result of that thought process is Vavi Studio – her own label, named for her younger sister. It’s a creative outlet for Karyna’s own designs, which are then made to order by Fabrika in Greenwich.

“I wanted to develop clothes for the everyday, busy woman,” said Karyna. “The collections are based on interchangeable garments, which can be mixed and matched and are appropriate both for a working environment and then going out in the evening.

“Each piece is made to order so there is no waste. I think sustainability is increasingly important – especially manufacturing in London where a lot of people expect this in the production of the garments they buy.

“We are making clothes locally rather than overseas, so that cuts down on transport emissions and a lot of our clients also try to source fabrics in this country. any ask for the offcuts too so they can recycle them.

“Right now, the plan is to expand, to grow the team and to start working with bigger brands to bring more production back to the UK. It does cost more but it’s good for the environment and for people to have longer lasting garments rather than ones they just wear once or a few times and quickly wear out.

“I hope that people will be thinking about these things in a more environmentally positive way in future especially as the industry has not been so good in the past.

“A lot of people are talking about it and brands should too. We do our best, but a lot depends on the designers too. Many are now interested in using recycled materials and that’s great.

“We also recently worked with a designer who was using silk that was produced without the silkworms being harmed – normally they die in the process.

“I think there should be more educational content produced so people know how things are made to enable them to be more responsible as consumers.”

Go to fabrikalondon.com or vavistudio.com for more

Greenwich - Peninsula - Woolwich what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

The O2 Arena Greenwich Peninsula

FESTIVAL | Country To Country

Celebrating a decade of existence, this three-day celebration of country will feature Thomas Rhett, Lady A and Zac Brown Band plus lots of denim. Mar 10-12, 4.30pm, from £65 (one day), theo2.co.uk

Where? Greenwich Theatre Greenwich

STAGE | A Vampire Story

Rose Bruford College students perform this troubling tale of two mysterious women arriving in a nameless British town. But just who are they? Mar 9-11, times vary, £11, greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Where? Beanfeast Woolwich Works

KIDS | Bring Your Own Baby Comedy

MC Carly Smallman hosts a lunchtime gig featuring Sarah Iles and Thor Stenhaug, aimed at parents and babies over 15 months (no cost for the kids). Mar 10, noon, £13, woolwich.works see it

The Queen’s House in Greenwich is set to welcome a blockbuster exhibition of artworks by the younger and elder Van De Veldes from March 2-January 14, 2024. Free to visit, the show is a celebration of maritime painting rmg.co.uk

Scan this code to nd out more about RMG’s Season Of Drawing based around the forthcoming exhibition want more? @whar ifelive

£23

Cost of a one-day standard ticket to Move It at the Excel centre

by Jon Massey

what’s all this about?

Move It is set to return to Excel from March 10-12, celebrating all forms of dance and the performing arts over three days. It’s for dancers, teachers, fans and professionals alike. Doors open at 10am, daily.

what’s happening?

The event features performances, more than 260 classes from some of the most prominent dance teachers in the world and brands selling equipment, clothing and merchandise.

who’s performing?

The line-up will include sets from Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, West End star Layton Williams, Ricky Jinks, IMD Legion and Josie Lee. The likes of Alex Chambers and Kai Scanlan are also set to appear alongside many other artists.

what classes are on o er?

There’s a vast selection scheduled including sessions with top teachers such as Dane Bates, Serena McCall, Dark Angels and Josh Pilmore. The programme covers 24 di erent styles with ballet, ballroom, acrobatics, musical theatre, audition training and West End workshops all on the bill. Each class is assigned a level to help visitors decide on the right one for them.

and there’s a discount on tickets?

Yes. Wharf Life readers can get 10% o standard one-day and three-day tickets, normally £23 or £50 for adults respectively with code LONDON10 Tickets must be booked by midnight on March 9 to use this code.

what does standard entry include?

Access to all four stages at Move It, the shopping village, the free talks programme, meet and greets with dance stars and the opportunity to purchase spots on the event’s Class Programme.

is there a premium option?

Also yes. The Ultimate Dancers VIP Experience ticket includes all of the above plus a goody bag worth £40, an o cial T-Shirt worth £15, fast track entry to the show, access to the main stage’s VIP standing section, reserved seating in the theatres, fast track access for meet and greets, VIP lounge access and fan meets with special guests in the lounge. The price of a VIP Experience is £85.

where can I nd out more information?

The best place to nd out more information is online at moveitdance.co.uk or by emailing moveit@upperstreetevents.co.uk.

Scan this code for more information about the event or to book tickets to Move It at Excel in Royal Docks

Move It features four stages with performances running throughout the course of its three day takeover of Excel

Move It is also a place for fans to meet star dancers and professionals

Royal Docks - Canning Town what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where? Fold Canning Town

CLUB | Transmissions

DJ Nobu and Batu are set to combine their considerable talents bringing sounds from the depths of Japan’s record stores to Canning Town. Mar 10, 10pm-6am, resales, ra.co

Where?

Excel Royal Victoria Dock

EVENT | Tech Show London

Attracting more than 10,000 business leaders, this conference and exhibition aims to help rms get involved in the biggest tech trends going. Mar 8-9, times vary, registration, excel.london

Where? Norton Quays Royal Albert Wharf

EAT | Royal Albert Wharf Market

Ace Events puts on its regular street food market –ideal for those looking for a mid-afternoon snack or a dinner treat. Held on the rst Friday of the month. Mar 3, Apr 7, 3pm-10pm, free to visit, bowarts.org ash back

Cocktail bar and venue Social Convention is set to host screenings of three edgy movies – the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pink Flamingos and El Topo – between February 15 and March 29. Tickets cost £6 socialconvention.org

Scan this code for full details of the screenings or to book tickets for the events online want more? @whar ifelive

Price of small plates, desserts and cocktails on a Thursday at Buster Mantis in Deptford

Where? Canada Water Theatre Canada Water

by Jon Massey

GIG | Alysha

The 3million-streaming, Cuban-Indian singer, set for a performance in her native London, is billed as fusing lo- neo-soul and pulsating r’n’b. Mar 17, 7.30pm, £10, canadawatertheatre.org.uk

Where?

The Albany Deptford

STAGE | Blindmouth

Presented by Caleb Femi and Sloghouse, this evening of lm, poetry and music promises to capture the energy of a south-east London club. Mar 18, 7.30pm, £10, thealbany.org.uk

Where? Brunel Museum Rotherhithe

EVENT | Midnight Apothecary

The pop-up botanical cocktail event is all geared up for a St Patrick’s Day special, with plenty of decent craic, mixed drinks and re pit warmth on o er. Mar 17, 5pm, 7.30pm, from £8, midnightapothecary.co.uk what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see want more?

This is artist Alice Gur-Arie who uses digital techniques to paint the photos she takes. Based in Deptford, she’s recently released her second digital book Five: Wuxing Elements In Words And Pictures alicegur-arie.com

Scan this code to read our interview with Alice about her book and latest works wharf-life.com

With budgets stretched tight, bargains are very welcome when it comes to dining out right now. To that end, my companion and I popped down to Deptford to check out Buster Mantis’ Six Pound Thursdays o er.

For one day each week this makes 13 savoury small plates, three desserts and four cocktails available for £6 each (plus a selection of ve sides for £3.50 per portion).

Tucked away in an alleyway under a couple of brick-built railway arches and named for former Jamaican prime minister and independence champion Sir Alexander Bustamante, it’s a laid back kind of place.

Inside it’s all corrugated metal, shiny white tiles and bare wooden tables – the kind of minimal aesthetic that does well as a backdrop. Fortunately there’s plenty of foreground. The o er means Buster’s bustling and booking is pretty much essential unless you’re willing to brave the chilly conditions outside.

While the service is a little on the sedate side – forgiveable, given the sheer number of diners – we manage to gabble an order at someone for a total of four small plates plus an order of chips.

We have no real idea whether this will be enough food – but with a Rum Punch and a Guinness Punch to knock us out we don’t really care. Both cocktails are actually subtle and fragrant despite the threatening sobriquets and do much to imperil our sobriety.

Our wits remain just sharp enough to appreciate a cavalcade of joyous dishes as they arrive. There’s a generous bath for a mound of mussels complete with samphire, searing nduja and a citrus note that cuts right through the delicately steamed shell sh.

Then there’s a perfectly spherical arancino, packed with warm, toothsome rice, a mound of broccoli, falafel and broad bean hummus and nally a plate of breaded squid with a spring onion aioli.

Taken with the chips, it’s almost exactly the right amount for two at a combined price of £13.75 per head plus service. Add £6 for a cocktail and it’s still under £20 each.

Value is all about what you get for your money, however, and Buster passes muster here too. Without exception, the cooking is slick and accurate. The chips are fat, cut large for luxurious dipping, the squid is succulent without being chewy and the broth the mussels are served in is so good it demands drinking down to the last drop. The only slight disappointment is the lack of actual Guinness on tap – the cocktail having been made ahead of time. But ordering a second spiced punch is hardly a hardship.

Go to bustermantis.com

Cost of an early bird ticket to Taste at The Yard Theatre £15

Revellers can expect plenty of smoky, sensual sounds as Taste takes over The Yard what’s on things to do, places to go, people to see

Where?

Theatre Royal Stratford East Stratford

COMEDY | Live At Stratford East With Phil Wang

The comedian headlines an evening of stand-up with Slim, Felicity Ward and Thanyia Moore also gracing the stage with their routines. Mar 10, 7.30pm, from £10, stratfordeast.com

Where?

Stratford Picturehouse Stratford a matter of

KIDS | Where The Wild Things Are

Strictly for kids and their carers, this screening of Spike Jonze’s rich adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic picture book is a real treat. Mar 11, 2.30pm, from £3.30, picturehouses.com

Where? Rule Zero Fish Island

EVENT | Cabaret Lá Fhéile Pádraig

The Emerald Lounge presents an evening of drag and alternative burlesque featuring Kora Elle, pictured, and plenty of Irish tunes to celebrate St Patrick. Mar 17, 7.30pm, £15, rulezero.co.uk ash back

how east and south-east Asian arts organisation Kakilang will fill Hackney Wick with queer vibes

by Jon Massey

The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick is set to be taken over by east and south-east Asian arts organisation Kakilang for “a night of queer excellence”. Taste, curated by Princess Xixi is being billed as a joyous, chaotic and radical celebration of LGBTQIA+ artistry. Focused primarily on drag and dance acts, the event will feature a series of performances from prominent artists in the community including Duane Nasis and Lusty Lovelace. There will also be “sensual sounds” from the likes of Jason Kwan, Henjila, Ellauro and Phe Phe.

Split into two sections,

Scan this code to nd out more about Taste performances at Taste will take place between 7.30pm and 10.30pm. Then the after party begins, which is set to run until 3am.

This is an opportunity for audience members to strut their stu to sounds provided by DJ sets from Oh Annie Oh, Plushbaby and Chooc Ly Tan. Early bird tickets for the event on March 18 are currently on sale for £15. The standard entry price is £18. Go to theyardtheatre.co.uk for more information

The East London Science School is now the Harris Science Academy East London and is very much looking to the future as it welcomes the backing of the Harris Federation and opens a new sixth form building stratfordeast.com

Scan this code to read our interview with principal Mark Taylor, pictured, at wharf-life.com want more? @whar ifelive