Scoop opened its doors today at Olympia National to a vibrant and energised first day, welcoming an inspiring mix of fashion buyers, designers and industry insiders into a thoughtfully curated, gallery-like environment. From the moment visitors arrived, the show set the tone for three days of discovery, creativity and meaningful connection at the heart of the UK fashion buying calendar.
Buyers from leading department stores and independents were among the first to explore the show, including Sister, Ribbon Rouge, Snooty Fox, Slate Clothing, Anne Furbank, Bowns, Moda Rosa, White Feather, Harpers, Anthology, The Gate, Blue, OSO Boutique, Nichols & Co, Haus, Fox + Feather and Jarrolds, among others.
Scoop’s signature atmosphere set the tone across the show floor, immersing visitors in a whimsical, design-led environment where creativity and commerce sit seamlessly side by side. Thoughtful visual details and imaginative styling created an inspiring backdrop for focused buying and discovery, brought to life through an Italian-inflected experience that included staff dressed in Eribé Knitwear, live accordion music and opera singers performing through the aisles, and two cafés, Perry’s Pizza Place and La Cucina, serving authentic pizza, Italian salads and prosecco. Striking floral installations and Vespas further animated the space, bringing the season’s artwork vividly to life.
“There’s a real sense this season that buyers are staying longer and taking more time to explore,” says Karen Radley, Founder and Curator of Scoop. “The atmosphere encourages people to slow down, have conversations and really engage with the collections. That’s exactly what Scoop is about, creating an environment where discovery feels natural and buying feels considered.”
Alongside the collections, Scoop’s opening-day programme added further depth and insight to the visitor experience with a well-attended influencer session hosted by Polly Knight. Drawing a strong audience of independent boutique owners and buyers, the session explored key upcoming trends, how to build a cohesive and commercially relevant collection, and Knight’s standout designer picks from the show. Sharing her perspective shaped by over 15 years in fashion media and styling, Knight highlighted collections offering practical insight and inspiration that encouraged buyers to stay longer, engage more deeply and connect beyond the show floor.
Gilly Aspey, Owner of Slate Clothing, Burford commented, “The influencer session was a real highlight, giving us the chance to connect with other retailers and share ideas, and the show offers a wonderfully diverse mix of brands, and it is invaluable for previewing collections ahead of showroom appointments and discovering brands we might not otherwise see.”
“The show has been fantastic, I love the look and feel of it, and the branding this year is really strong,” says Katie Gibbs of OSO Boutique. “The mix of fashion with complementary accessories and jewellery means I can do some serious buying, while also discovering exciting new brands to add into the mix.”
The positive response was echoed by designers across the show floor, many of whom reported strong engagement and new conversations throughout the day. “It’s been really exciting for us to meet so many new customers alongside existing ones,” says Caroline Ritchie of Corita Rosa. “The environment at Scoop is incredibly considered, the colours, styling and atmosphere all sit together beautifully, and it’s inspiring to see how the space itself adds to the overall experience.”
“This is my first time showing at Scoop and I’ve been really impressed,” says Cara Granger of Cara & The Sky. “I’ve seen both returning customers and completely new ones, and the atmosphere is beautifully calm and thoughtfully styled. It feels very different to other shows, and I’d absolutely come back next season.”
The show is shaped by Founder and Curator Karen Radley’s vision, expressed through a carefully edited selection of over 200 international designers chosen for their individuality, craftsmanship and relevance for today’s retailers.
As the first day draws to a close, the momentum sets the stage for two further days of insight, inspiration and connection. Over the coming days, visitors can look forward to an exciting programme of fireside chats hosted by Karen Radley, bringing together influential buyers for candid discussion, alongside additional influencer sessions designed to inform, inspire and support today’s buying community.
