Symbiosis – A Fusion of Fashion, Art, and Innovation
Imagine a world at its end and ready for rebirth, grass growing through the cement cracks of fallen civilization, the contrast of vegetation to brick as a symbol of the new symbiosis to come. With this in mind, we welcome you to step into The COLD Magazine pop-up.
Following the success of our launch event last December, The COLD Magazine is organizing a themed, three-day pop-up event as part of London Fashion Week this season, from February 16th to 18th. The theme of the event is juxtaposition: the collision of maximalist and minimalist elements, the fusion of the natural and artificial.
We want to promote creativity without boundaries and offer our attendees a platform to discover, connect, and inspire our diverse and growing community. The event will include pop-ups with local London-based brands, runway shows showcasing local designers, art installations, performance pieces, culinary work, and all else the mind can imagine. The event is intended to be interactive, allowing guests to explore our curated space, try on the garments hung around the walls, and observe the art and our newly created environment.
Get ready to discover the creative powerhouses shaping London’s fashion scene. Below, we’re excited to introduce the innovative brands who will be featured at the event—each one offering a unique perspective and a glimpse into the future of design, fashion, and art:
Maison Manyar is a luxury footwear brand that merges Italian craftsmanship with contemporary elegance. Founded by Aliaa and Enrico, the brand is dedicated to creating exquisitely handcrafted mules that balance sophistication, comfort, and versatility. Each pair is made in Italy from full-grain calf leather with genuine leather soles, featuring the brand’s signature zamak embellishments—a testament to its refined aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from global travels and the timeless beauty of Italian design, Maison Manyar focuses on clean lines, rich textures, and enduring quality. With a strong commitment to sustainability and traditional artisanship, the brand offers footwear that transcends seasonal trends, embodying effortless luxury for the modern woman.
Astria is carving out a distinct space in the accessory market with its commitment to creativity, sustainability, and transparency. Founded by Claudio Pagani in Milan, the brand views accessories as more than just embellishments—they are functional extensions of identity. Each season, Astria collaborates with a single designer to create a singular, iconic piece, starting with ASTRIA/001 by Alessandro Onori. Crafted from Mirum, a plastic-free leather alternative, the design reflects the brand’s focus on material innovation and mindful production. With a fresh approach to craftsmanship and exclusivity, Astria is offering a new perspective on what accessories can be.
MOR/PHE emerges as a revolutionary force in fashion during an era where sustainability is not just an option but a necessity. Founded by Alessandra Michelini, the brand challenges traditional notions of luxury with its commitment to adaptability, ethical craftsmanship, and sustainable innovation. With a philosophy rooted in transformation, MOR/PHE creates modular accessories designed to evolve with the wearer—proving that style and responsibility can coexist. Proudly “Made in Italy,” the brand upholds the highest standards of transparency and quality, redefining what it means to invest in fashion. At its core, MOR/PHE is more than a brand—it’s a movement towards a future where conscious consumption shapes the industry.
Karmine blends ancient influences with modern innovation, Karmine is redefining denim with an experimental, artisanal approach. Launched in 2024 but rooted in decades of craftsmanship, the brand merges raw textures, medieval symbolism, and contemporary techniques to create garments that evolve over time. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind artifact, crafted through hand-sewn details, intricate washes, and a philosophy that embraces imperfection as beauty. With a commitment to sustainability and a vision that fuses tradition with technology, Karmine is more than fashion—it’s a statement of individuality and authenticity.
ALL IN THE BASEMENT is an independent fashion brand founded by self-taught designer Alina Braun. Blurring the boundaries between art, philosophy, and couture, the brand transforms bold artistic visions into wearable statements. Rooted in conceptual storytelling, this collection explores deep themes—whether it’s the hyperreality of Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation or the dreamlike worlds of surrealist painter 5JH. Sustainability is integral to the brand’s ethos, with garments crafted from deadstock fabrics and recycled materials, giving new life to discarded textiles. Known for its striking fusion of structured tailoring, deconstructed layers, and unexpected textures, ALL IN THE BASEMENT creates pieces that exist between reality and illusion—where fashion becomes both a dream and its own reflection.
SULCI explores fashion beyond outward identity, delving into the unseen—thoughts, emotions, and the subconscious. Founded in London in 2023, the conceptual unisex brand takes its name from the grooves of the brain, blurring the lines between body and mind, visibility and concealment. Its debut collection, CEREBRUM 1.0, transforms the brain’s intricate formations into sculptural garments. Voluminous, monochrome silhouettes strike a balance between vulnerability and protection, echoing the duality of exposure and concealment. The anonymity of SULCI’s creator enhances this philosophy, shifting focus from personality to garment. Inspired by neurological structures, the collection’s oversized designs and 3D puffer paneling mirror the folds of the brain. Muted greys and blacks reflect the subconscious, reinforcing fashion as a vessel for introspection. The result is a seamless fusion of art and science—an invitation to embody the mind.
Steph Dixon turned her frustration with uncomfortable heels into a bespoke footwear brand designed for women. Crafted from supple leather, her boots offer the perfect balance of comfort and style. Made-to-order and available in a range of foot and calf sizes, they transition seamlessly from office to evening. Passionate about sustainability, Dixon champions slow fashion with her podcast Slowly Stitched, launching this year. Inspired by her grandmother, her debut Nova Collection celebrates confidence, heritage, and the power of well-crafted shoes.
Sasha Donnellan is redefining Irish fashion by weaving the nation’s complex history into her designs. Her graduate collection, It Was Mine First, explores Ireland’s colonial past and the resilience of its women, blending bridal elements, folk craft, and military motifs to challenge patriarchal and imperial narratives. With ethereal silhouettes and traditional textiles like Aran wool and Galway shawls, Donnellan’s work merges the material with the metaphysical, rooting contemporary fashion in ancestral heritage. Her upcoming collection, Lupus and Agnus, continues this dialogue, using fable-like allegories to critique power and oppression in a way that remains open to interpretation.
The Digital Amber transforms jewellery into fluid, sculptural relics, blurring the line between ancient artefacts and digital innovation. Founded by Jojo Zan, the brand merges 3D printing with organic forms, creating ethereal, almost weightless designs like the Medusa rings—pieces that appear to shift and morph with light. More than adornment, these pieces exist at the intersection of technology and mythology, preserving memory in motion.
