Style & Design
Originally published on Tuesday, 8th September 2009
Shop Lifts
Store expansions and new spaces launch this month
Retail is riddled with ADD. Pop-up shops, temporary installations and, my personal favourite, ‘ephemeral boutiques’ (what is this, an elfin disappearing act?) have ceased to surprise us, and now only serve to provide free cupcakes. Because there’s always free cupcakes. So we’re excited by proper expansions and new spaces with, hopefully, some staying power.
Selfridges new contemporary and denim space, 3rd Central, includes in-store boutiques by the likes of Anglomania and Alexander Wang, and the exclusive Jeremy Scott for Adidas collection. Over in Knightsbridge, Harvey Nichols are preparing to launch their revamped fourth floor which will cater to a younger market courtesy of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Marc By Marc Jacobs, and Les Chiffoniers.
And then there’s Topshop’s long awaited men’s expansion; Area Two One Four. As well as Topman’s existing ranges and designer collaborations there’ll be mainline collections from MAN designers James Long and Christopher Shannon, and concessions from Sharps Barbers and Rough Trade Records.
The only question now is; will New Look’s reported megalith of a flagship in the old Borders space on Oxford Street be keeping the in-store Starbucks? Because really, without our cupcake fix, we just can’t concentrate on shopping.
INFO
Selfridges 3rd Central open now.
Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor opening February 2010.
Topshop Area Two One Four launches September 17th.
