The owner of one of Brixton’s longest-established businesses, Anita Thorpe, tells us why she wanted to create space for makers of colour
Tell us the story of Diverse Gifts…
Anita Thorpe: While running my jewellery stall in Brixton Market on Saturdays as a hobby, I got the opportunity to work freelance as a training consultant (which was my profession at the time).
I did that for a while but I missed the creativity of retail and the interaction with customers, so I started to look for premises in the area, thinking I could do both.
My first shop was a tiny shop on Atlantic Road, next door to the Dogstar pub. It was owned by the singer Billy Ocean. Along with jewellery, I sold African crafts and things grew from there.
What do you love about running Diverse?
I really enjoy meeting the different people that come into our shop and I love their reaction to the products that we sell.
I also love sourcing new products and discovering new designs and new makers. I also like being my own boss.
The name is inspired by the diverse products you sell, from diverse makers, too. Can you tell us why this is important to Diverse?
I’ve always stocked the work of local makers but I increasingly became aware of how much UK artists and makers of colour are under-represented in the retail space.
As a person of African-Caribbean descent with a retail shop, I wanted to provide a platform for that talent.
Several creatives for whom Diverse was their first stockist have now gone on to supply department stores and multiples.
Three products on sale now that epitomise Diverse are:
Bey-Lack is King mug by Kazvare Made It (£12.95). We’re huge fans of the designer, Kazvare – and Beyoncé.
Brixton Map Jigsaw Puzzle by Very Puzzled (£14). We love Brixton stories and we stock a range of Brixton-themed merchandise.
My Skin Your Skin by Laura Henry-Allain (£12.99). This is a book that empowers children of all ethnicities to be the best version of themselves. I’d like to think Diverse embodies that kind of encouragement and positivity for everyone who visits.
What can shoppers expect when visiting the store?
A wonderful range of greeting cards (we won Best Card Retailer in London last year in an industry-wide poll). Plus a great selection of inclusive gifts for all ages that are well-designed and sustainable, and a relaxing, unpressured shopping environment.
It also smells gorgeous here because of the pick-and-mix incense we sell, and we play some banging tunes (so we’ve been told!).
What do you love about being based in Brixton?
There’s never a dull moment and it is still very diverse. Even though the area is going through change, it still has a community feel.
You also run events – for example, your Prosecco and Plan event in February. Do you have more coming up?
We’re in the process of agreeing dates for candle-making, journaling and mosaic workshops.
We’re also going to book a genealogist who specialises in showing Caribbean people how to trace their ancestry.
CLICK HERE to see a lamp workshop at the store
What is next for Diverse?
This year is our 25th year in business so we’re busy planning our celebrations in August but our priority, as always, is to keep getting better at what we do and to keep inspiring and exciting our customers.
390 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8LF
Sponsored by Brixton Bid
