Yinka Ilori's East London pop-up store celebrates West African culture

UK ­– Homeware designer Yinka Ilori has unveiled his first retail space, a dopamine-boosting and colourful pop-up shop inspired by the designer’s West African heritage.

Located in Shoreditch, east London, the pop-up is open until 3 January 2023 and carries a selection of homeware, stationery and games that double as collectible objects. Both the store’s design and merchandise are intended to inspire joy and a sense of togetherness, with the use of bold colours and patterns, but also interactive elements inviting visitors to engage and connect.

‘I wanted to design a fun, engaging space that tells a story. I want to start a conversation about the future of our stores, how we curate these spaces and what experiences we can create to forge deeper, more meaningful connections,’ says Ilori.

The designer created another community-centred space in 2021 with the Lego Launderette of Dreams. With this project, Ilori is further embracing hyperphysical store design with a nod to his roots and at the same time educating Londoners about West African culture.