Store Pop

Scheduled to coincide with ‘Bath in Fashion 2013’ Traffic People kindly shared their boutique with an eclectic mix of local designers for a 3-week period. Manageress of Traffic People’s Bath branch Jacquai Holcombe commented on the collaboration;

“Here at Traffic People we have been really excited to support and showcase these local designers and share our space with them. There are some fantastic designers based right here on our doorstep and it¹s such a positive move that we can offer them the opportunity to get seen and hopefully gain some sales.”

 Bath in Fashion has built a staunch reputation for attracting some highly influential speakers and collaborators within the fashion industry such as Manolo Blahnik and Stephen Jones to Biba founder Barbara Hulanicki. This year the roster included Roland Mouret, Julie Verhoeven, Iain R Webb and David Downton. The week long event took place from the 15th to 21st April while the South West Designer boutique courtesy of Traffic People ran until 28^th April. 

 

Co-ordinating and managing the concept alongside Jacquai at Traffic People was fashion editor and former manageress of ‘British Designers@FashionCapital’ boutique JoJo Iles.

 

On the collaboration she commented: “When I was running ‘British Designers@FashionCapital¹ was pleasantly surprised by the number of local designers walking in through the door looking for retail outlets. With ‘Bath in Fashion’ on the agenda I thought the event would provide the perfect opportunity to showcase some of these individuals plus add a unique local flavour to the proceedings. Retail is so tough at the moment so it is brilliant that stores like Traffic People are open to collaborations and in-store pop-up events.”

 

 

 

Designers that took part in the pop-up included:

 

– Anne Selby (scarves & accessories)

– Peregrine (knitwear and outerwear)

– Jan Knibbs (jewellery and womenswear)

– W. Blaikie Bespoke Leather (leather accessories and bags)

– Carole Wadham Millinery (hats)

– Be Boutique Ethique (womenswear)

– Hannah Bartlett (tailored womenswear)

– Eloise Atwell (womenswear)

– Carole Waller (handcrafted womenswear)

– Ette London (womenswear)

– Poppy Rocks (jewellery and womenswear)

– Peony & Moore (bags)

– Truly Sopel (vintage womenswear)

– Bibico (ethical knitwear and cottons)

– Julia Morgner (luxury printed scarves)

 

Featured in The Bath Magazine

 

The collaboration also included an evening soiree to meet and speak with the designers over drinks and canapés as well as a section in the Designer Show produced by John Walford at the Assembly Rooms.

Blouse & skirt by Boutique Ethique, bag by Peony & Moore,

hat by Carole Wadham

 

On the local collective Lucy Clayphan from Peony & Moore said: “We thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the South West Designer Showcase this year at the Traffic People store. It enabled us to promote our brand within a well-established Bath retailer alongside other emerging talented designers. I firmly believe new businesses should be supported and encouraged to help boost our economy, this project was a perfect way to do so.”

 

In this tough economic climate the retail sector has been hit hard and stores have to be consistently on-the-ball providing events, in-store experiences and promotions to entice customers away from online bargains and clone retail-park shopping. As Mary Portas said in reference to the failing High Street: “High Streets must be ready to experiment, try new things, take risks and become destinations again. They need to be spaces and places that people want to be in. High Streets of the future must be a hub of the community that local people are proud of and want to protect.” This very concept was the idea behind ‘Traffic People Presents South West Designers’ and long may more innovative retail & design collaborations continue.

 

Bath in Fashion images by Ferla Paolo Photography

Catwalk image by Chris Daw Photography

 

By JoJo Iles