selfridges selfridges launches launches womens designer s

SELFRIDGES LAUNCHES
WOMENS
WOMENS DESIGNER
GALLERIES
ART MEETS ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE IN A HIGHHIGH-TECH FASHION ENVIRONMENT
Selfridges has unveiled the first phase of its transformed Womens Designer Galleries in its London store. The
new Galleries are inspired by the store’s neo-classical architecture. The space features an exclusive digital
art gallery and next generation fitting rooms providing an elegant and contemporary backdrop for the
sophisticated woman to select and personalise a high-end wardrobe.
Hidden away from the Galleries floor, high-tech fitting rooms offer the upmost privacy, serenity and natural
daylight. Customers will chose from exclusive silhouettes and designer collections in an innovative and
unique environment, surrounded by a constantly changing piece of digital art from British artist Daniel
Brown, a pioneer in the medium who is known for his interactive installations. At the forefront of technology
is the central fitting room mirror featuring three screens mounted together. The screens have built-in
cameras that allow customers to capture an image or short video of themselves on each of the panels. The
images can be viewed simultaneously allowing for outfits to be compared, colour decisions to be made
and fit to be checked. Customers will also have the option of emailing the images for their own records, or
to a friend for feedback on their choices.
A highlight of the space will be the Gallery Exclusives — UK exclusive looks that have been carefully
selected by Selfridges buyers from the very best of British and International design houses. The Gallery
Exclusives will be presented amongst directional collections from both new and longstanding luxury
designer collections. This format encourages customers to personalise their wardrobe by using high fashion
pieces from different designer brands in one overall look. Eight dedicated Boutiques representing Chanel,
Prada, Lanvin, Céline, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Dries Van Noten will be given an
avant garde edge through juxtaposition with the main edit featuring Haider Ackermann, Rick Owens,
Maison Martin Margiela, Comme Des Garcons, Junya Watanabe, PLAY, Sacai, Ann Demeulemeester, AF
Vandervorst and Gareth Pugh.
“The Womens Designer Galleries at Selfridges will showcase some of fashion’s most exciting designers in a
creative setting that embraces the expectations of today’s modern woman,” says Alannah Weston,
Selfridges Creative Director. “We know that our customers are sophisticated, global trend-makers and we
look forward to presenting beautiful designer pieces including exclusive looks in a serene and elegant
environment.”
Customer experience is a key factor in the design, but also in the development of the service offering.
Bespoke texts and emails can be sent to customers based on their tastes and purchasing habits when new
products arrive. A dedicated ready-to-wear tailor will offer customisation directly on site.
Selfridges Director of Womenswear, Sebastian Manes says, “We have been very specific in the designers we
have chosen for the Womens Designer Galleries at Selfridges. The concept for the room evolved in tandem
with the selection of these designers in order to offer customers the collections they will love and a place to
discover exciting looks of each season.”
Designed by Jamie Fobert Architects, the room will feature 10 different types of marble combined to form
an eye-catching floor. “I was greatly inspired by the story of stone – how marble has been used since the
time of Trajan’s Column in Ancient Rome, to Michelangelo’s David and even Marble Arch in London,” says
architect Jamie Fobert. “Upon entering the space, customers will experience a room that is minimal, but
feminine and graceful, yet strong.”
In celebration of the launch, Tanya Ling has developed a series of illustrations representing the modern
luxury woman that will preview the space in-store. The Gallery will open in time for London Fashion Week in
February 2012. Two further phases of the Womens Designer Galleries will launch in 2012 and 2013.
About Selfridges
The business was founded by American entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge in 1909 and was widely
regarded as the first and best example of a modern department store. Gordon Selfridge ran the store
himself until he retired in 1940. After several ownerships the company was de-merged from the Sears Group
in 1998 and floated on the London Stock Exchange. In 2003 W. Galen Weston purchased Selfridges and
under his ownership Selfridges has become a unique UK destination for fashion, luxury and retail theatre
known for its world-class yet egalitarian customer approach. In June 2010 Selfridges was named Best
Department Store in the World by the IGDS (Intercontinental Group of Department Stores) and the IADS
(International Association of Department Stores), a title which Selfridges holds until June 2012. Selfridges has
four stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester (Trafford Centre, Exchange Square) and an online store
delivering within the UK.
For more information,
information, visit selfridges.com.
Contact
Contact details
For further information and images, please contact:
Kitty McGee
Selfridges
T: 020 7318 3397
E. [email protected]
Allison Lawrence / Helen Arathoon
Gabrielle Shaw Communications
T. Tel: 020 7318 3204 or 020 7318 3987
[email protected]
/ [email protected]
E.