Photo: Jhordan Dennis
In a time where even big corporations are struggling with payroll and sales, it’s hard to imagine how some local start-ups are even staying afloat.
Through lockdowns, always changing protocols, and everything of the sort, some businesses and brands in London have fallen. However, being in a new age with social media and online marketing. Some start-ups have just begun.
London is full of new and exciting ideas. All you have to do is take a drive down Dundas or head into Wortley Village to see some great London minds at work. However, sometimes you gotta start somewhere before you get yourself a storefront.
Granit Rrafshi is the founder of Alert Clothing, a streetwear brand he started out of his basement. While COVID has had a negative impact on many businesses, Granit says it’s when his began.
“When COVID broke down and we were all in quarantine, I got like really bored.” Rrafshi says. “And I was like, ‘man, I want to do something’, I just got inspired just being at home and sitting around. And that’s how Alert started.”
Alert Clothing is a streetwear brand Rrafshi created out of his basement. In a time where many businesses are going virtual, Granit has looked to Instagram for his sales and promotion.
Alert Clothing’s most recent release.
While showing your support through the online world is always possible, maybe it’s not what you’re after. Maybe you want a handmade knit sweater, or maybe you just want the in-person experience of seeing a Londoner and their creations.
Hannah Ibbott is a student from London who lives for the local shopping scene. She says it’s all about supporting the London community and their work.
“I just like the idea of like supporting other people, they’re in your community,” Abbott explains. “And like the quality is really great. A lot of the stuff usually is like from around if not in London, like from around London as well.”
With new evolutions in shopping coming at a rapid pace, supporting local no longer means going through the streets of London until you find something that intrigues you. As Ibbott points out, there are markets and opportunities all around us, even if you’re just starting to shop the local scene.
“I would say try to find like, farmers markets or some sort of like clothing markets around your area, because those local stores will be going there to get their clientele.”
Shopping local no longer means going door to door from store to store. You could be on Instagram looking for streetwear brands like Alert or spending a day out in one of London’s many market opportunities. While there’s no one to do it, there is one thing for certain, there’s never been a more important time to shop local.
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