Thom Browne pop-up store at Le Bon Marché in Paris

The New York fashion icon and designer Thom Browne is taking over Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche with a site-specific art installation and pop-up store until the 17th of October. He is reputed for his perfectly proportioned and unique silhouettes for men and women as well as his theatrical shows. The pop-up store will be merchandised with the star items of his Autumn-Winter 2015 collection. Also, for the first time outside of his Hudson Street store, his original New York hand-made tailored suits are available.

"I am proud to be the Guest Designer for Le Bon Marché's 2015 event. To be recognised and invited by such an iconic Parisian department known for its great balance of the traditional and the modern is truly an honor. I am looking forward to bringing the world of Thom Browne to Le Bon Marché". Tom Browne, Designer

The art installation, specifically created by the designer will enhance the pop-up store even further with a decor of mirrored draws much of his inspiration from - and a floor crawling with silver-plated Thom Browne signature wingtip shoes.

"We are delighted to welcome Thom Browne, a fashion designer who needs no introduction, has a passion for the style of the late 50's and is a virtuoso tailor. To celebrate the event and pay tribute to his fashion shows that are always highly anticipated, we are happy to present his deliciously unusual display offering a total immersion in the world of Thom Browne." Jennifer Cuvillier, Art Director Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche.

To celebrate the event, the designer has also created a selection of items exclusively for Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche including knit wool whale motif pullovers, coin purse and laptop holders in Macintosh ready for viewing from August 29th.

Anya Hindmarch's 'All I Ever Wanted' AW 12 collection at Selfridges

The Anya Hindmarch window installation in Selfridges is an exclusive re-creation of our London Fashion Week AW12 Show at the Royal Academy.

The "All I Ever Wanted" collection and window installation takes its inspiration from the excitement a child feels peering through a toyshop window at Christmas. Picture all the enticing boxes, the toys that wind up, move and light up. It's a collection  that is inspired by Quality Street and their colours, with leathers influenced by their foil wrappers. 

Alongside the finest leathers and beautiful craftsmanship you would expect from Anya Hindmarch are bags packed in boxes like toys (after all, bags are like toys for us girls), bags dotted with tiny LED lights and music box clutches that play "Deck the Halls"

 

 

 

 

 

The magical world of Re:So - The Retail Solent Initiative launched by Solent Southampton University

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.

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)

Solent Uni Sweatshirt Fridge

Lemonade Vintage and Customized Clothing Earrings Stand

Emma's Prints by Emma Armstrong

Emma's Prints by Emma Armstrong

Emma's Prints by Emma Armstrong

Sunglasses customized by  Sophie Hannah Richardson

Art Gallery with furniture by DIG Haüshizzle

Art by student Matt Jacobs

Candle Holder by DIG Haüshizzle

Furniture by  DIG Haüshizzle

Industrial Lampshades by DIG Haüshizzle

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!