New Cross Gallery has swapped art works for fashion rails to make space for the arrival of The Vintage Emporium.

A pop-up store – a temporary shopping space which designed to defy the economic downturn – the emporium is destined to remain at the gallery until Dec 31.

Stocked with high-quality aged finds, designer labels and couture from the 1920s to 1980s, the boutique was brought to the area by Ooh La La! Vintage.

During the pop-up store’s stay there will be an end-of-season swap shop where shoppers will be invited to bring one item to swap for another.

Oh La La! Vintage’s Tara Munro said: “The pop up shop is a good cost saving measure for new retailers and the collaborators involved have been able to test the waters before taking the plunge into a permanent shop space. It provides ways of exploring new retail opportunities in the area during hard times.

“Vintage has never been so hot due to the need for comfort, familiarity and all things nostalgic when purse strings are tight. Our Emporium is an affordable way of investing in designer and well made pieces.

“There's no reason why we can't travel somewhere else at the end of the run,” added Tara about the boutique’s next step. “But if it works we'd probably choose to stay in the area if we could.”

The Vintage Emporium at New Cross Gallery, 3 Lewisham Way, New Cross until Dec 31.