The Slow Fashion Pop-Up Taking Over Edinburgh — Meet Savage Collective

Erin-Louise
Nov 28
8 min read

Where good vibes meet good clothes.

By Erin-Louise

It’s 6 pm, it’s dark, and Edinburgh’s shops are pretty much closed – except here. A DJ’s spinning, cocktails are in hand, and rails of up-cycled, vintage, and slow fashion are calling your name. Savage Collective Pop-Ups aren’t just shopping — they’re bringing the vibes to Edinburgh’s slow fashion scene.

I had the privilege of attending Savage Collectives' Pop-Up in collaboration with Girl Grads. The clothes were stunning, yes — thoughtful, intentional, and full of personality — but it was the atmosphere that struck me first. It felt warm and inviting, like being welcomed into a space built on community, creativity, and joy.

And whilst I have only met Fanny once, I had the privilege of interviewing her for Worn Out, and if you follow her socials, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say she radiates charisma. Funny, sharp, and a bubble of warmth, she brings an infectious energy to everything she touches — and Savage Collective is no exception. Her passion threads through the whole experience, making the event feel less like a pop-up and more like stepping into a world she’s created with intention and heart.

Q&A with Savage Collective

Let’s start at the beginning. Can you tell us a little about how Savage Collective came to life? What inspired you to start curating pop-ups and bringing together slow fashion brands?

Savage Collective grew out of my work with my up-cycled clothing label, Savage Fanny. I’ve been doing it pretty much full-time for over a year, and I realised it was genuinely difficult to find the right kind of pop-up spaces in Edinburgh. There were plenty of general makers’ markets, but nothing that specifically focused on slow fashion, sustainability, and brands with a strong creative identity.

At some point, I thought, if the platform I need doesn’t exist, why not create it. That’s how Savage Collective came to life: first as a way to showcase my own designs, then naturally developing into a curated space for independent labels that share the same values. It’s now grown into a collaborative community that highlights designers who care about craft, intention, and ethical practices and I’m really excited to keep building and expanding that.

The locations of your pop-ups always feel so intentional. How do you decide where to host them? Is it about community, the space, or just a feeling that fits the brand?

When I choose locations, it’s very similar to how I select the brands; I’m looking for spaces with character and atmosphere where I can genuinely picture the collections fitting in naturally. I’m always keeping an eye out for places that feel aligned with slow fashion: thoughtful, welcoming, and visually inspiring.

We’ve hosted several pop-ups at The Shop With No Name in Broughton, which is such a beautiful, bright space. Working with Aleks (the owner) has been fantastic; she also runs her own independent utility-wear label, so she really understands the energy behind what we’re creating. She’s always been great at helping with promotion, too, which makes the whole process collaborative rather than purely logistical.

Our upcoming pop-up on the 6th and 7th of December will be at Aetla Studio, and I’m really excited about it. It’s a more intimate space with a quieter, more considered feel. I think the smaller scale will make this one especially curated; with only two clothing brands and two jewellery makers, there’s more room for people to slow down and connect with each brand’s story and craftsmanship.

There’s always such an energy at Savage Collective — it feels more like a party than a pop-up. How do you go about creating that atmosphere? Is it something you plan for, or does it just happen naturally because of the people and brands you bring together?

Well, in a way, it is a party, or at least that’s the spirit behind it. Yes, it’s a pop-up, but for me it’s just as important that people genuinely feel good when they walk in. Whether someone stops by on a quiet Sunday morning for a browse and a chat, or joins us for a drink during an evening event, I want them to feel welcome, relaxed, and free to enjoy their time regardless of whether they buy something or not.

That atmosphere reflects a lot of what I value personally: beautiful clothing (not to sound superficial, but hey, good clothes make you feel good, or make me feel good at least), great company, music that feels uplifting, and a sense of celebration around independent creativity. I’m not a party animal (I promise!), but I do believe that if you’re wearing pieces you love, surrounded by people who inspire you, with a drink in hand and some good music playing, you’re set up for a goddamn good time. I think that energy naturally radiates through Savage Collective because the brands and the people involved all share that same enthusiasm and authenticity.

You feature a mix of designers and slow fashion labels, plus your own up-cycled pieces. How do you curate who’s involved each time? What do you look for in a designer or brand when choosing who to collaborate with?

I’m always on the lookout for new designers, mostly through social media, though sometimes I’m lucky enough to cross paths with them in real life. For me, the most important thing is that they create everything themselves, that they really know what their brand stands for and are genuinely passionate about what they do. My goal is to support them in getting to where they want to be, not just to sell products.

I also love when designers approach the pop-up as an experience, not just a retail opportunity. At every event, I usually host one or two launch parties, and it’s so rewarding when designers can meet their customers in person, talk about their brand, or even just their dog and be part of the experience. To me, that human connection and having a good time in real life are just as important as sales; it’s what makes Savage Collective special.

Slow fashion can sometimes feel a bit serious or exclusive, but Savage Collective feels joyful and accessible. Was that intentional from the start — making sustainability fun and celebratory?

I’m so glad you said that! Honestly, yes, it’s completely intentional. It couldn’t really be any other way, because that’s just not who I am. I think life is just more fun if you take any opportunity to celebrate. I understand that high-end brands can feel exclusive, and of course, not everyone can afford everything, but most of the brands at our pop-ups price their pieces to reflect the craftsmanship and care that goes into making independent, slow-fashion items.

That doesn’t make them inaccessible, though; it’s about mindset. I love it when people value investing in one quality piece rather than ten items that won’t last. That’s the mindset I want to celebrate. One of my favourite things is seeing someone spend time choosing just one item because they love it, even if it’s a bit of a treat for them, knowing it’s going to last a lifetime.

The celebratory aspect of our events reflects that philosophy; it’s not just about selling products, it’s about creating moments. Whether it’s a relaxed Sunday morning pop-up or an evening launch party with music, drinks, and lively conversation, I love seeing people connect with the brands’ stories, meet the designers, and just enjoy themselves. Those moments when people genuinely connect with the design, the story, and the care behind it, that’s what makes Savage Collective joyful and celebratory, and it’s exactly the energy I want to foster.

FOLLOW SAVAGE COLLECTIVE

Insta @savage.collective.uk

TikTok @savage.collective.uk

You’ve made such a name for yourself in Edinburgh’s creative scene. When did you decide to take the leap and start hosting pop-ups? Was there a particular moment or push that made you go, “Okay, I’m doing this”?

I started hosting pop-ups alongside running my own brand full-time about six months ago. I’ve always wanted to focus on my brand fully, but as I mentioned earlier, the lack of platforms to showcase it the way I wanted naturally led to creating Savage Collective.

It feels like all my skills are coming together. I’ve always been good at hosting events and creating enjoyable experiences, so this was a way to bring that together with my love for independent, slow-fashion brands. It felt like a natural step, and at some point I just thought, “Okay, let's do this!"

Running a pop-up must be a lot. What does the behind-the-scenes look like — from planning to launch day? (And do you ever sleep during pop-up week?)

It is a lot, but I absolutely love it. I’ve done more traditional jobs before steady incomes, predictable hours, and they made me feel so uninspired, constantly checking the clock. What I do now is riskier and fully depends on me, but it’s a pleasure to wake up every day and bring my ideas to life. Every pop-up has been a learning curve, but I can see myself improving, and that progress makes me really happy.

On a typical day, I usually wake up around 6 AM and tackle promotional and admin work while my brain is sharpest. Then I take a break, hit the gym, and spend the afternoon sewing or preparing pieces. I aim to wrap up around 6 PM.

And during pop-up week? Let’s just say I’m grateful caffeine exists.

For people who might be dreaming of doing something similar — maybe curating, creating, or bringing community together — what advice would you give them?

I’m not a life coach, and I’m definitely not going to give you one of those motivational speeches (as great as they can be), but these are two pieces of advice that have really helped me:

Don’t half-arse it.
Be persistent and determined, or at least pretend to be.

If you’re going to do something, remember that your time is the most precious thing you have. Put your heart and energy into it fully, or don’t do it at all. Find what you truly love, and approach it as if you will become the best at it.

And persistence is key because motivation alone is unreliable. You won’t always wake up feeling inspired, but if you push yourself to be consistent, even just a little each day, you’ll always create something worthwhile. Those small wins build momentum, and that momentum naturally brings motivation.

And finally, what’s next for Savage Collective? Any exciting plans, new locations, or ideas in the works for 2026?

Well, it goes without saying that we’re looking at new locations in Edinburgh and welcoming new designers (if you’re reading this, hit me up!). Beyond that, I’m always on the lookout for fresh ideas and concepts, so who knows where that could take us in 2026! What won’t change, though, is the energy and celebratory feeling, so if that’s something you’re into, definitely stay tuned with us. The goal is to keep growing, experimenting, and creating experiences that are exciting for both the brands and the people who come to our pop-ups.

If there’s one thing you take away from Savage Collective, it’s this: slow fashion doesn’t have to whisper — it can celebrate. Fanny has created something rare, a space where independent designers feel seen, customers feel welcomed, and creativity feels electric.

Her next pop-up is happening on the 6th and 7th of December at Aetla Studio, and if you’ve ever wanted to experience slow fashion in its most intentional, uplifting, community-filled form, this is your sign to go. Wander, chat, try things on, meet the people behind the brands — soak in the atmosphere.

Trust me, once you step inside, you’ll understand exactly why Savage Collective is becoming one of the most exciting energies in Edinburgh’s creative scene.