With its 2001: A Space Odyssey-esque tunnel, by-appointment-only shopping sessions, and unbeaten line-up of cult and obscure labels, from its inception in 2010, Dalston’s LN-CC became one of the most enigmatic luxury stores London has to offer. 

Located off a grey stretch of Dalston’s Kingsland Road – just opposite indie fave The Shacklewell Arms – the ‘Late Night Chameleon Café’ was more that just a store, though, with a roster of cultural happenings, including literary readings, workshops, and offbeat club nights all going on any given night of the week (cut to Dazed co-hosting a Brexit party in 2018, at which a DJ in a Rottingdean Bazaar Mr Blobby costume got behind the decks). 

Now, after a few years of pandemic-induced closure and an online-only presence, LN-CC is finally back in the physical realm, throwing open its doors this week to a new gen of fashion fans. The space has been redesigned by artist Gary Card, and will open its doors for people to just drop in across the weekend for the first time.

The rest of the week will be dedicated to private appointments for those that like the luxe experience and to do their shopping in peace, while the basement club space has been transformed into L8TE, which will host everything from dinners to DJ sets and beyond, so keep your eyes peeled for listings.

Though the store looks very different to its last iteration, what remains is LN-CC’s commitment to digging out, supporting, and celebrating some of the world’s most talented designers. Alongside fashion behemoths like Prada and Balenciaga hang pieces from a new wave of creatives – from those at the forefront of sustainable design, to brands dismantling gender and turning out wildly conceptual collections that traverse the line between fashion and art. 

As LN-CC reopens, here, the store’s buying team list the upcoming brands they’re most excited to see lining the rails of the space.

ESHAAN DHINGRA, MENSWEAR BUYER

You can spot a Greg Ross piece from a mile away – I love the way he’s redefining everyday garments with an innovative outlook. He is somehow able to follow today’s trends but do it in a completely different way. I also love No Faith Studios, which definitely makes you look twice within today’s “quiet luxury” landscape. Their collections are made up of bold silhouettes, dishevelled details, and extreme styling, which all speaks perfectly to today’s fashion-minded youth. Lastly, O.Files, which is able to perfectly fuse vintage-inspired looks with today’s contemporary aesthetic. It’s a unique blend of both ruggedness and cleanliness. They use military inspiration to create garments that focus on quality and price – for them it’s all in the details, so be sure to look closely.

LARA DJANDJI, CORE AND CONSCIOUS BUYER 

Rier is one of those brands that comes alive when you try it on, you just fall in love – the quality, the silhouette, the fabric, everything is just perfection. I also love Fidan Novruzova, who is one of the sweetest people when you meet her in person. Her work in incredibly beautiful – it’s not for nothing that she’s been selected as a finalist for the 2024 LVMH Prize. She really creates her own world and her AW24 collection is so considered. She really understood who her customer is and we can see that. Beyond fashion, the way that Myco Audio’s speakers are created out of fungi is fascinating. I love that mushrooms are now being used to create sustainable products.  The brand is so innovative, and I love the scientific creativity behind it. The cherry on the cake is that they look great!

OLLY SMITH, STREET AND SPORT BUYER

Ollie Evans, founder of Too Hot Ltd, is  one of the strongest vintage collectors on the planet. Mostly known for his Stone Island and Prada Sport archives, Ollie has recently come across some insane Louis Vuitton one-offs and Kapital handmade pieces that we're beyond excited to have in-store. This is truly one of a kind and celebrates the unique LN-CC DNA. I also love Metalwood Studio. I was lucky enough to meet Cole Young and his team in Paris last year. Metalwood gives us injections of 90s and Y2K core and packages them together onto modern streetwear shapes and accessories fit for purpose on or off the putting green – it’s interesting and unexpected. I’m also excited about This Is Never That, which is one of the strongest streetwear brands to come out of Korea in recent years, TINT continues to go from strength to strength. Bold graphics and classic logos take centre stage while contemporary shapes make it totally wearable.

LIA CARLINO, WOMENSWEAR BUYER

Isa Boulder is an exclusive designer stocked in our incredible Atrium, with our collab with the brand spotlighting South Asian craft and bringing it to the London customer. Isa’s designs are a continuous source of inspiration and innovation, expressiveness and individuality. You can almost see the sound of the waves she witnesses in her native Bali in the clothes, and I love how the collection reflects intense creativity and thoughtful slowness. I also love Aya Muse’s sexy knitwear, which is brand new this season, and MSCHF, who it’s great to partner with for its launch in the UK. We  love the way the brand interprets and reimagines – it definitely fits in with our disruptive nature of LN-CC.

Follow LN-CC here.

Full credits for cover photo: Photography Roe Ethridge, Styling Katie Shillingford, Set design Andy Harman, Hair Erin Piper Herschleb at L’Atelier using ORIBE, Make-up Whittany Robinson using ADDICTION TOKYO, Manicure Eva Suriaty at Lady Panda Nail NYC using Gel-X by APRÈS and Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red by OPI, Model Rosalieke Fuchs at Ford Models, Casting Nicola Kast, Digital techJonathan Nesteruk, Photographic assistant Taylor Schantz, Styling assistant Precious Greham, Set design assistant Eric Brittan, Production Jemma Hinkly at Artist Commissions and Alana Amram at Hen’s Tooth Productions, Post-production Two Three Two