Islander Edinburgh has opened its first London store and workshop in Covent Garden, offering its hands-on bag-making experience alongside its collection of handbags, footwear and accessories. Located at 29 Shorts Gardens, the new store gives customers the opportunity to browse Islander’s retail collections or create their own personalised Islander bag during a workshop.
The opening marks a stage of expansion for Islander, a Scottish brand known for combining heritage fabrics, contemporary design and interactive retail experiences. During the workshop, guests can personalise their bag by selecting the body, a Harris Tweed® or Lochcarron® tartan lid, front straps, body strap and crossbody strap. With guidance from the Islander team, they then assemble their bag before leaving with the finished piece they have created.
The Covent Garden workshop can accommodate up to 28 guests per session. Workshops run seven days a week, offering London residents, tourists, families and private groups a distinctive creative experience in one of the city’s busiest shopping and cultural districts.
The launch follows the continued success of Islander’s retail and workshop locations across Edinburgh and St Andrews, where the brand has built a strong reputation for offering memorable, design-led experiences rooted in Scottish materials, creativity and storytelling.
The expansion into London allows Islander to introduce its established workshop experience to a wider domestic and international audience while continuing to celebrate the colours, textiles and character that define the brand. Alongside the workshop experience, the Covent Garden store carries Islander’s wider retail collections, creating a destination for customers looking for something more personal and interactive than a traditional shopping experience.
Founded in Edinburgh in 2010, Islander has grown from a single satchel collection into an established retail, workshop, e-commerce and wholesale business. The company now works with more than 800 retail stockists globally. A second London store and workshop is planned to open later in the year, further strengthening Islander’s presence in the city.
Workshop bookings and further information are available here.
