Brilliant Brighton fabric shop Cloth Control has been announced as the winner of a city centre -wide window dressing competition
Brilliant Brighton – a not for profit organisation formed of 517 city centre businesses, who come together to fund projects, including the city centre’s Christmas lights – launched their ‘Winter Wonderland’ window dressing competition, to find the best dressed festive window.
The competition, which ran from 2nd December 2023 – 7th January 2024, saw over 20 businesses take part, and members of the public vote for their favourite festive display.
Votes have now been counted and North Laine fabric shop, Cloth Control has been announced as the winner with their creative winter angel dressed window; all made from materials stocked in-store. The winning window arrangement was the creation of Cloth Control’s owner Päivi Salo – a former freelance seamstress who had a successful career working for the likes of the Royal Opera House, Kylie Minogue, Rambert, National Television Awards and King Charles III’s 50th Investiture Gala, but who decided to open her own fabric shop (a lifelong dream!), when the pandemic hit and theatres closed.
A relative newcomer to Kensington Gardens, Päivi and her team are delighted to have won the public’s votes and take the title. “Growing up in the Arctic Circle, winter was always a very special time. I have childhood memories of my mum’s love of angels, and when I saw the title for this year’s window display theme I thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring those memories alive,” Päivi explained. “ I am absolutely thrilled that my ‘Angel of North Laine’ was so well received by everyone.”
As well as winning the coveted ‘best dressed’ title; Päivi and her team have won a £150 Brilliant Brighton gift card, to be spent locally. One lucky voter, drawn in the prize giveaway, has also won a £150 Brilliant Brighton gift card too.
Brilliant Brighton’s Marketing and Events Manager, Shelley Welti said: “A huge congratulations to Päivi and the Cloth Control team on their ‘Winter Wonderland’ window dressing win! With 23 businesses taking part throughout Brilliant Brighton, we’ve really loved seeing our community’s creativity and local residents and visitors take to the streets to visit the displays, and vote for their favourites! Thanks to everyone who got involved!”
