Discover what’s on at ATIKA Art Space this June, with an inspiring exhibition with an emerging artist that celebrates London’s creative community and cultures. Explore the latest programme, connect with contemporary art, and experience one of East London’s most exciting cultural spaces.

We are excited to launch our first ATIKA Art Space in ATIKA London Vintage, where this month we feature Cherie Chun's collection of illustrations. Each month, we’ll be shining a spotlight on one artist who has submitted their work to be displayed in-store, transforming part of ATIKA into a rotating creative space that celebrates the incredible talent within our community.

At ATIKA, our concession departments are an essential part of what makes the store unique. Carefully handpicked and thoughtfully merchandised, each brand brings its own attitude while complementing our wider vision of curated vintage fashion.

In our latest blog post series we will be introducing some of the faces and voices behind these concessions, sharing their inspirations and showcasing their collections. Kicking off the series we have Ella, behind Cupids, our playful whimsical Y2K edit. Find Cupids on the ground floor in our main room.

If you’ve spent any time online recently, you’ve probably noticed it: 2016 fashion is back — but not in a serious way. Old outfit photos are resurfacing, not as inspiration, but as jokes. Flower crowns. Fishnet tights. Skinny jeans. Peak Instagram-era looks being reposted with a heavy dose of irony.

Right now, 2016 fashion exists as a punchline. And honestly, that’s usually the first sign that it’s about to return.

Fashion has a habit of circling back through humour first. We laugh at past trends, exaggerate them, meme them — and then, almost without realising it, we start wearing them again. Just slightly tweaked. A little more self-aware. A little less try-hard.

With comfort still dominating how people dress, and streetwear influences carrying over from last year, it feels like the perfect moment for a reworked version of 2016 to make its way back into wardrobes. Not exactly as it was — but close enough to recognise.

So, what parts of ironic 2016 are we expecting to see taken seriously again?

Taking over our ATIKA LISTENS series today is Ella - our gorgeous marketing manager!

Ella’s playlist dives back into the mid-2010s indie sleaze moment. An era of late-night spontaneity, unpolished charm, and dance floors that felt a little chaotic in the best way. It brings together the gritty guitars, neon-tinged synths, and unapologetic attitude that defined a scene built on energy over perfection. Press play and step back into the mood of a time when everything felt raw, restless, and alive.

Interview by Charlie Kloos

C: If you had to describe the playlist in 3 words, which words would you choose?

E: Messy, hedonistic, sweaty!

C: How does your personal style influence your music taste - or vice versa?

E: My earliest style inspirations came from the girl bands I was listening to as a girl - the Spice Girls ‘2 become 1’ music video forever being an iconic influence in my fashion choices even now. I think music and fashion are deeply connected as they both play a big part in shaping our identity. 

C: What’s a music hill you’d die on?

E: ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’ by Abba is one of the best songs ever made.

Ever wondered what’s going on behind the scenes at ATIKA? Before the first customer walks in each day, a lot of vintage hustle happens behind the scenes. From making the space bright and ready for customers to processing our unique items, our mornings are all about creating the perfect atmosphere for you guys to shop ‘till you drop! We’ve crafted this blog for you to take a sneak peek of our morning routine. Keep reading to find out what we get up to each morning.

You’ve been loving the sounds on our shop floor, and we thought it was only right to share the magic (so you won’t have to Shazam us anymore).

We’re handing over the aux to our team, one by one. Each staff member is curating a 20-song playlist that captures their personal style and musical mood. It’s our way of sharing a bit more of who we are, through the music we love.

First up: our Press and Marketing Manager, Bennie, kicking things off with a swinging mix of 70s gems, Italo disco and sultry sax solos. It’s the perfect soundtrack for golden hour drives, living room dance routines, or just staring into the void with a cigarette, reliving a love affair that mostly happened in your head.

Hit play, follow along, and stay tuned for the next staff takeover…

Interview by Charlie Kloos

C: If you had to describe the playlist in 3 words, which words would you choose?

B: Sultry, Groovy, Intoxicating.

C: Which track brings you the most joy when it comes on?

B: People who know me know I usually gravitate toward the most depressing songs imaginable - I’ve actually been banned from DJing at certain parties because of the very real risk of killing the vibe. But this playlist definitely represents my sunnier side. ‘Emotional Rescue’ by The Rolling Stones in particular brings me so much joy - the falsetto, the groove, and that sax solo? Gets me every time. It’s impossible not to dance.

C: If your playlist was a film soundtrack, what film would it be for?

B: Definitely the soundtrack to a sexy, tension-filled film set somewhere in the Mediterranean - I’m thinking sun-bleached villas, some light espionage, and definitely a love triangle. The kind of film where everyone is hot and no one is telling the truth.