Solent Southampton University started out a great initiative for students to embark on a journey of discovering the real world of retailing. From designing, selling and sourcing products, to visual merchandising, retail design and space planning, students have been , under strict supervision and guidance of tutors and project managers (Lisa Mann), learning about all the operations involved to run a successful shop.
Marlands Shopping Centre in Southampton has given Solent Southampton University a commercial space that has been turned into, what Re:So is today , a beautiful and exciting pop-up store filled with student and graduate goodies to buy.
Products such as scarfs (
Emma's Prints), jewellery and accessories (sunglasses by
Sophie Hannah Richardson ), vintage clothing (
Lemonade Vintage and Customized Clothing by Ellisha White ), books, publications (
THIRD FLOOR Publication), decorations and furniture (
DIG Haüshizzle) have all been designed or customized by the University's students and graduates.
The space is divided into two areas: the actual shop and the art gallery filled with beautiful furniture and art, that (advice to enthusiasts) is all up for sale! The gallery was also thought of as a space for special events, talks, exhibitions, workshops and conferences, giving the beautiful location an extra functionality.
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| Emma Armstrong of Emma's Prints and Katie Friedlander Boss (Store Design) |
Katie, the Visual Merchandiser and the creative mind behind the design and display of the pop-up has kindly offered to tell us how she planned the space and managed to bring all this to life:
"The Re:So interior was designed in response to the buildings
existing decor. It is grade two listed and had a very raw feeling to it due to
the exposed brick work, plaster and unfinished wood work.
I really wanted to
use this and create a design that emphasised and enhanced the spaces ‘natural’
beauty. I also was very aware that as a pop-up it wouldn’t have any longevity
so I designed the fixtures and display pieces from foraged and found items and
bits of furniture that were transient in themselves so as not to waste
resources. So for example the lights are made from wine bottles and the shelves
are made from pallets and ladders and the fitting room from some old banisters
and dust sheets, the whole project has kept everything in it’s basic form but been
reinvented to create an inspirational space.
As the shop has been created to sell students work, I wanted
to ensure that all types of products had a forum to be seen in, including art
work. The second room (there are two, one is red brick and is retail orientated
the other is plaster and panels and more gallery orientated) seemed perfect to
act as a gallery. The large windows, long wall expanses and natural light
seemed an ideal space to exhibit art works.
In the last decade shopping has
changed so much and I believe that shops now should offer more then just being
a place to spend money and that customers should be offered an experience.
Hopefully the experience Re:So offers is one of innovation, uniqueness and
reflection." Katie Friedlander Boss (P.M and Visual Merchandiser of Re:So Pop-Up)
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| Solent Uni Sweatshirt Fridge |
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| Lemonade Vintage and Customized Clothing Earrings Stand |
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| Emma's Prints by Emma Armstrong |
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| Emma's Prints by Emma Armstrong |
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| Emma's Prints by Emma Armstrong |
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| Art by student Matt Jacobs |
So make sure you come down to Southampton and visit the amazing POP-UP in the Marlands!
You will find happy and talented students to advise and help you with any questions you might have and you will definitely have the chance to buy some unique and gorgeous things!
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