By Daisy Anna Stonier
Trading teacups for decks, and love letters for dancing in mini skirts.
Tink and Friends IRL was born after a night of sipping drinks, chatting to a bubbly bouncer, and following the sound of jungle music blaring through the speakers and out into the Shoreditch streets; as we authentically stumbled upon Bread and Butter Lounge. Hours of internet scrolling for the dream venue had come to an end once we set our eyes on this beautiful vintage shop, set below two floors perfectly prepped for pop-ups and events, soon to be filled with Tink Angels glowing in a hot pink haze…
This weekend was about leaving scope for expansion as a brand by stepping away from the concept of themes and in turn allowing the discovery of new brands, showcasing their individual designs and identities. Tink and Friends IRL was an evolution not only in concept but also in duration, as the event spanned across both a night of vibrant energy, and a day of shopping and fostering connection, with a steady flow of beautifully dressed people attending each.
Setting the tone and energy not just sonically, but as a whole sensory experience. Our guests entered with the soothing aroma of incense in the pink air, a Tink stamp of approval (yes, literally), and the curation of progressively more hardcore music from the DJs as the night got busier. The lovely Ciara, @studio.bloomers on IG, also brought some stunning florals adding colour, texture, and life to the space. All the DJs were amazing, with some being people we'd met at raves or afters, from listening to sets on Soundcloud while getting ready for the club, and others being friends. Blending together the hyper-feminine essence of Tink, with the masculine attributes of the venue, made for a fluid and inclusive space for everyone to feel embraced by.
Arriving the next day with faded Tink tattoos and full hearts, the brand’s pieces at the pop-up looked contemporary and striking, it was so beautiful to see them all together in one room. Around half of the brands were new to the collective, we were so excited to secure some of the emerging brands that we’ve had our eye on.
Giarose was definitely a standout, being the newest brand on the knitwear scene! Full of admiration for the duo behind the brand, Rosie and Giorgia, we love how fun yet sophisticated their designs are - not just visually but tangibly. Outdated views of knitwear often fall into the category of chunky, unflattering, or “only for older people”, but their pieces turn that stereotype on its head. The event was filled with pieces perfect for summer and festival season from the perfect polka shorts to HOOKED's tops and Becca Morgan’s statement bags to complete the look.
Minor Figures kindly sponsored the event, providing oat milk and chai for some refreshing iced chais which fuelled the day of conversation with the sweet taste of syrup and cinnamon. Getting to meet people in person was incredibly fun and also valuable in order to connect with Tink’s consumers. Hearing how they found out about Tink and our events is always such a highlight, and connecting with the designers in-person after lots of online contact is so lovely. All in all, the weekend’s vibe was so chilled, fun, and sociable - perfection!!
Another event has passed, and we’re growing closer to a whole year of Tink. Plans of celebration are on the horizon, including an event fuelled birthday pop-up to share the dreamy world of Tink for even longer next time. Lots and lots of new brands are on the way, and the analytics don’t lie, so any American Tink Angels reading, we have our eye on you…