The colourful collection of independent makers donned their brightest garments and accessories to promote the national campaign which urges shoppers to ditch Black Friday on Friday 29 November 2024, and support small, local businesses instead.

The designers will join over 80 other creatives showcasing their talents and products at the upcoming Tea Green Events Winter Market at V&A Dundee from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December 2024 (10am-5pm).     

Joanne MacFadyen, who launched Tea Green Events 10 years ago, commented, “As we celebrate a decade of championing Scotland’s independent creative talent, alongside a decade as the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design, it’s more fitting than ever for us to bang the drum for Colour Friday.

“Supporting small businesses changes lives and we can all make a difference by making more considered purchases. Shopping online with faceless giant retailers might be quick and easy, but by buying even one high-quality product designed and created locally, we support the livelihoods of those living amongst us, reduce our carbon footprint and create more joy! So, as our V&A Dundee winter market approaches, we’d urge people to vote with their feet, embrace their community and invest in local designers.”

Erin Thompson, Retail Manager at V&A Dundee, said, “The Winter Design Market is one of my favourite events of the year. It’s a joy to see our museum spaces bustling with support for local Scottish talent. This year, we’re delighted to be supporting Colour Friday, and we have designers & makers joining us for the very first time, including graduates from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.”

Founded by entrepreneur and small business champion Holly Tucker, Colour Friday was born out of a desire to shift the focus away from the frenzy of Black Friday sales, which tend to benefit big corporations, and instead highlight the creativity, craftsmanship, and colour of independent businesses.

According to the Colour Friday campaign, the nation spends £13.3 billion on Black Friday despite the fact that almost half of UK shoppers said they rarely or never used their Black Friday purchases. Almost a third said they regretted buying them and more than half expressed concerns about the negative environmental impact of overconsumption during the sale period.

Meanwhile, one in three small to medium-sized businesses fear closure by the end of 2024 despite small businesses generating around £2.4 trillion a year for the UK economy and employing 16.7 million people.