Ishan Crawford Islander has opened its first store outside Scotland at 29 Short’s Gardens in Covent Garden, with a full workshop for customers to build their own Harris Tweed satchels at the centre. Global design studio Dalziel & Pow shaped the space around craft, materials and co-creation rather than pure display.
The Edinburgh brand, known for authentic Harris Tweed® bags, leather and tartan pieces, now sits just off Seven Dials. A second London site on Bloomsbury Street is already planned for later in 2026.
The Workshop Sits at the Centre
Customers book a hands-on session, choose from a wide range of Harris Tweed fabrics, colours and straps, then assemble a unique bag with staff guidance. Flexible, movable tables fill the space. Social spots invite photos and sharing.
Workshops already draw strong crowds at the Scottish stores. Covent Garden was built to let people create, connect and linger for an afternoon. Collections sit organised by bag style so the “find” stays joyful while the process stays simple.
- Select fabric panels and leather components from the full Harris Tweed range
- Pick straps, charms and hardware at dedicated bars
- Assemble the satchel under expert guidance in about an hour
- Photograph the finished piece at designed social moments
The result is ownership that goes beyond a purchase. Fans who tried the Edinburgh version call the choice of every piece the highlight and list the workshop as a must-do stop.
How Dalziel & Pow Built the Story
Tim Graveling, Creative Director at Dalziel & Pow, said the design “leans on the brand’s strong focus on craft and materials to resonate with both new and existing audiences, creating a space that is as much about co-creation and storytelling as it is about shopping.”
Earthy tones, rich greens and warm tactile materials wrap the interior. Soft projections explain Harris Tweed making. Wall murals and bag illustrations reinforce the narrative and pull people toward the workshop. Dedicated zones spotlight add-ons so customers can reinvent bags long after they leave.
| Element | Purpose | Material or Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop core | Bespoke assembly | Movable tables, fabric abundance |
| Strap and charm bars | Personalisation after purchase | Hardware and accessories |
| Projections and murals | Storytelling | Harris Tweed process and bag art |
| Colour palette | Immersion | Earthy tones and rich greens |
The full Dalziel & Pow store design details describe an environment built for exploration and personalisation at every touchpoint.
From Victoria Street to Seven Dials
Pei Ferguson founded Islander in 2010. The first shop sat on Edinburgh’s Victoria Street. The brand grew through contemporary design paired with Scottish textile heritage and an exclusive link to Harris Tweed for handbags, footwear and accessories.
- 2010, Brand founded in Edinburgh; first shop opens
- Post-Covid, Staff of six rebuilds; workshop concept starts upstairs
- By 2025, 55 staff, multi-million turnover, warehouse expansion, Bank of Scotland support cutting card costs by about £40,000 a year
- 2026, Seven standalone stores (six Edinburgh, one St Andrews) plus wholesale worldwide; Covent Garden flagship opens; Bloomsbury next
Ferguson had eyed New York first thanks to 150 US wholesale stockists, then chose London for closer control. Staff plans target at least 70. A side brand, Baa Baa Sheep, celebrates wool culture with knitwear and homeware.
Scottish retail continues to send concepts south and west. The move echoes another recent Scotland retail arrival that tested new markets from a home base.
Harris Tweed Carries the Weight
Every signature satchel uses genuine Harris Tweed. The cloth is the only fabric protected by its own Act of Parliament. By law it must be pure virgin wool, dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides, and handwoven at the weaver’s home.
- Harris Tweed®, Protected cloth from the Outer Hebrides; pure virgin wool, island-spun and handwoven under Act of Parliament standards enforced by the Authority.
The store celebrates that richness without overwhelm. Soft projections and displays make the origin story visible. The Harris Tweed Authority authenticity rules keep the standard intact as the brand reaches new shoppers.
Leather and tartan sit alongside. Shoes and smaller accessories round out the range. Prices for core satchels sit in the accessible tens-of-pounds range online, keeping the entry point wide.
Who Gains From the Capital Step
55 staff already work the Scottish base and wholesale. London adds jobs and footfall. Outer Hebrides weavers gain volume demand for the protected cloth. Tourists and locals get a tactile afternoon that pure online retail cannot match.
Bank of Scotland backing earlier freed cash for warehouse growth and payroll automation. That operational base now supports the capital push. Ferguson called the Covent Garden opening “a very proud moment” after growth “from our first Edinburgh shop to stores right across Scotland.”
The model turns a regional craft strength into a repeatable experience. Visitors leave with a bag they made and a story they can share. That loyalty travels further than a standard transaction.
Islander has always been about blending heritage with innovation, and our growth and expansion shows how much our brand is resonating with people. Dalziel & Pow’s design for our beautiful Covent Garden store invites visitors to become part of our story, to get closer to the craft, create and connect.
Pei Ferguson, Company Director at Islander, said those words as the flagship opened.
Bloomsbury Follows Later This Year
Dalziel & Pow continues the partnership for a second London site on Bloomsbury Street near the British Museum. Opening is scheduled later in 2026. The Covent Garden format, workshop first, gives a clear template.
Online, the brand already flags “London Covent Garden is Now Open” and pushes Islander workshop experience booking alongside new arrivals. Free UK delivery sits above £85. The physical rooms still do the heavy lifting of brand conversion.
Heritage brands that put making in the customer’s hands keep the soul while they scale. Islander just proved the point on one of London’s busiest shopping streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the new Islander London store located?
The flagship sits at 29 Short’s Gardens, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9AP, just off Seven Dials. It is the brand’s first site outside Scotland and is now open.
How does the Islander workshop experience work?
Visitors book a session, select Harris Tweed fabrics, colours, straps and charms, then assemble their own satchel with staff help in roughly an hour. Movable tables and photo spots support the process; the same format already runs at multiple Scottish locations.
What makes Harris Tweed legally unique?
It is the only fabric protected by its own Act of Parliament. Production must use pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides and handwoven in the weaver’s home; the Harris Tweed Authority polices the standard.
How many stores does Islander operate in Scotland?
Seven standalone stores: six in Edinburgh and one in St Andrews, plus wholesale distribution worldwide and a workshop network that previously reached five locations.
Is a second London Islander store planned?
Yes. Dalziel & Pow is designing a further site on Bloomsbury Street near the British Museum, due to open later in 2026 after the Covent Garden flagship.
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