Author: ellacottrell1

SELFRIDGES INVITES CUSTOMERS TO ‘GO LONG’ AT THE STOCK MARKET IN THE CORNER SHOP

Preowned items can be valued, exchanged and repaired in a space playfully inspired by the London Stock Exchange.

15 May 2023. Selfridges launches The Stock Market at the Corner Shop, a month-long circular experience where customers can uncover the value of what they already own, exchange items for Selfridges credit and restore or upcycle clothing and accessories.

Drawing inspiration from the towering 360 degree desks and the rotundas of data-filled screens found at the London Stock Exchange, The Corner Shop has been transformed into a ‘trading floor’, an immersive hub for buying, selling, repairing and upcycling.

Reselfridges stockbrokers man the ‘trading desk’, encouraging customers to “go long” and enhance the value of products to keep or resell. The stockbrokers will connect visitors to the very best circular services from SOJO, SneakersER, The Handbag Clinic and Vintage Threads, as well as a series of bookable services from upcyclers in residence, making signs of wear and tear points of pride and interest, like hand beaded moth holes or bespoke customisations including frills and applique.

The launch takes place as part of Worn Again, a season of secondhand and circular shopping experiences at Selfridges. Running until August, Worn Again explores ideas, collaborations and events to keep products in circulation for longer and dial up the pleasure and reciprocity of shopping secondhand, as Selfridges aims 45% of transactions to come from circular products and services by 2030.

Services available at The Stock Market include:

Resell and shop secondhand

Visitors to The Stock Market can have items from their wardrobes such as shoes and accessories valued by a team of expert authenticators, with the option to sell to Selfridges in exchange for store credit. A curation of secondhand clothing and accessories will also be available from partners including Vintage Threads and The Handbag Clinic.

Repair and restore

Extend the life of worn and treasured items with services include bag repainting and repair, restoration of leather items, upcycling and downcycling of clothing and sneaker and shoe restoration. Services available from The Handbag Clinic, Vintage Threads, SneakersER and SOJO.

Tailoring and alterations

A team of expert tailors from SOJO will be available to make alterations to any clothes, such as hemming clothes, altering waists, re-attaching buttons and adding zips.

Upcyclers in Residence

A series of upcyclers in residence at The Corner Shop will help to revive wardrobes. Through daily sessions, upcycling experts will demonstrate different ways to breathe new life into clothes. Sessions include screen printing, appliqué, tassels and ties and mend and reknit. Tickets will cost £10 for a two-hour slot and profits from ticket sales will go to Oxfam.

The Stock Market at the Corner Shop is open until 10th June

Book services

Book Upcyclers in Residence

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Notes to Editors:

About Worn Again

Worn Again is a season of secondhand and circular shopping experiences running until August. It brings new destinations, collaborations, ideas and events to customers through Reselfridges, Selfridges’ ecosystem of circular products and services, to make shopping secondhand and circular as easy, exciting and desirable as shopping new season. 

Customers can participate in Worn Again via a unique mix of experimental circular destinations, products, services and experiences in Selfridges London, Manchester and Birmingham stores and at Selfridges.com. These include an exclusive Marine Serre atelier concept, secondhand fashion and lifestyle destination The Edit by Reselfridges, a Swap Shop series, Made to Order rethought as Made In Selfridges, a charity Car Boot Sale, an outdoor furniture fair and a reimagined Stock Market in the Corner Shop, where items can be valued, traded, repaired or upcycled. Permanent new Reselfridges additions include Subscription and Rent to Buy services.

About SOJO

SOJO is a London-based fashion-tech platform, founded by Josephine Philips, re-inventing the clothing repair and tailoring industry. Launching in 2021 as the UK’s first clothing repairs and alterations app,  SOJO delivers emissions-free door-to-door repair and alterations services to customers via their London based tailoring studio, while providing an integrated and scalable solution to e-commerce fashion brands to help reduce returns and increase circularity within their businesses.

About Josephine Philips, SOJO

Josephine Philips founded SOJO immediately after graduating from university in June 2020, with the mission of helping to make the fashion industry more circular by revolutionising the clothing repair and tailoring sector. A lover of vintage fashion, Josephine continually found herself falling for secondhand pieces that were not in her size. With no convenient way to get the pieces tailored, she got to work to create a solution, launching the UK’s first app dedicated to alterations and repairs in January 2021.

As one of the UK’s most exciting young tech entrepreneurs, Philips has secured financial backing from key industry players including Simon Beckerman, Founder of Depop, Yael Gairola, Pangaia’s former COO, Peter Hawkings, Creative Director at Tom Ford. In 2022 Josephine featured on Forbes Europe 30 under 30 in the Technology category, selected as one of 40 recipients of Google for Startups Black Founders Fund and spotlighted on the inaugural Vogue Business 100 Innovators list.

About The Handbag Clinic

Founded in 2013, The Handbag Clinic is the longest-established luxury restoration and preowned retailers in the UK operating through stores and concessions across the UK including London, Newcastle, York and Colchester as well as franchises in Europe and the Middle East. 

The Handbag Clinic’s integrated offering of ‘Buy, Sell, Restore, Authenticate’ uniquely combines restoration with authentication and resale to deliver a seamless service for conscious luxury connoisseurs and collectors. With a mission to preserve the past whilst mindfully reinventing for the future, The Handbag Clinic is a proud gatekeeper of sustainable luxury. It stocks a hand-picked collection of authentic pre-owned luxury handbags, luggage and accessories from the world’s most coveted brands including Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton and restores 700+ bags and shoes, including luxury trainers, each month. 

SELFRIDGES GETS READY TO BE WORN AGAIN WITH A SEASON OF SECONDHAND AND CIRCULAR SHOPPING

Worn Again is a season of secondhand shopping, swapping, repairing, upcycling and trading with ‘Reselfridges’ products and services. 

20 April 2023. Selfridges’ ambition is that 45% of transactions will come from circular products and services by 2030 through Reselfridges, its Resale, Rental, Repair, Refill and Recycle ecosystem.  As we imagine what the near future of shopping will look like, Selfridges hosts ‘Worn Again’, an invitation to customers to explore Reselfridges at scale, with the most buzz-worthy retail experiences taking place from April to August this year.

Launching on the 20th April, ‘Worn Again’ is a season dedicated to ideas, collaborations and events brought to life through Reselfridges. Instead of typical offerings of “newness”, the creative scheme explores different ways to keep products in circulation for longer. Worn Again will dial up the pleasure, reciprocity and fun of shopping, as well as the desirability of secondhand and circular products.

Customers can participate in Worn Again via a unique mix of experimental circular destinations, products, services and experiences in Selfridges London, Manchester and Birmingham stores and at Selfridges.com. These include an exclusive Marine Serre atelier concept, secondhand fashion and lifestyle destination The Edit by Reselfridges, a new sub brand from Coach focused on circular craft, a Swap Shop series, Made to Order rethought as Made In Selfridges, a charity Car Boot Sale, an outdoor furniture fair and a reimagined Stock Market in the Corner Shop, where items can be valued, traded, repaired or upcycled. Permanent new Reselfridges additions include Subscription and Rent to Buy services.

Worn Again at Selfridges – a season of secondhand and circular shopping experiences:

The Edit by Reselfridges, from 20th April

Fashion and lifestyle destination The Edit by Reselfridges, designed with Liverpool-based architects, Mutt, offers a new way to shop secondhand, with a focus on Selfridges unique curation, environment and expert service. The space will house fashion and lifestyle products chosen by Selfridges buyers and  sourced exclusively by Reselfridges’ vibrant global network of resellers and archivists. The Edit by Reselfridges will also be in store in Birmingham and Manchester.

MARINE SERRE at the Selfridges Corner Shop, 17th April – 14th May 2023 

MARINE SERRE is the natural forerunner to Worn Again with a first of its kind residency in the Corner Shop exploring the brand’s ground-breaking approach to regeneration. The pioneering brand takes residence in Selfridges London to stage a creative ‘atelier’ experience. The Corner Shop is decorated with vintage furniture upholstered with crescent moons and an array of exclusive Marine Serre pieces from her State of Soul SS23 collection. There are two couture dresses on display; an upcycled t-shirt dress from the SS23 Hardcore Couture collection and an upcycled denim belt dress from the SS23 State of Soul collection. Each dress will be available made-to-order, created in the Marine Serre Atelier with a lead time of 1-2 months. In addition, over the month’s residence, The Corner Shop will offer a series of workshops dedicated to regenerative design and creation. 

•21st – 23rd April: Marine Serre’s expert team will be in residence, transforming vintage pieces into custom-made t-shirts. Customers can upcycle their own t-shirts or choose from a selection of vintage options.

•29th – 30th April: the launch of the first Marine Serre sneaker, the ‘MS Rise’. Each person who purchases a pair will be invited to use the soles to print their own custom t-shirt.

•6th – 7th  May: visitors can bring their own clothes to be printed with an iconic signature moon Marine Serre logo.

Vinterior, from 17th April

Pre-owned furniture marketplace Vinterior launches its first physical destination in Selfridges London. From classic mid-century modern furniture to ‘must have’ design icons like the mushroom lamp and togo sofas, the edit will feature one-of-a-kind pieces from throughout the decades including iconic brands such as Ercol, G-Plan and Ligne Roset.

The Stock Market at the Corner Shop 15th May – 4th June 2023

At the Stock Market in the Corner Shop, items can be valued, exchanged and repaired in a space playfully inspired by the City trading floor. Our Reselfridges “Traders” are there to inspire customers to “go long” and help enhance the value of products, to keep or resell. An on-site team of creatives will offer a different perspective on value via the repair experience. A programme of bookable upcycling services will make signs of wear and tear points of pride and interest, like hand beaded moth holes or bespoke customisations including frills, zips, applique and screen printing.

Women for Women Car Boot Sale, 20th May

Hosted by Alex Eagle, the Women for Women International #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale returns to Selfridges London for a second year on Saturday 20th May. Selfridges Car Park will host boots filled with past-season and secondhand designer fashion donated by brands, designers and fashion and beauty insiders. All money raised will go directly to Women for Women International, enabling the charity to continue its life-changing work with women living in countries affected by war and conflict. 

Selfridges Rental: ‘Rent to Buy’ and ‘Buy Now’, from April

A new ‘Buy Now’ feature on Selfridges Rental will allow customers to purchase selected rental items ’Rent to Buy’ will give customers the option of purchasing an item that they are renting if they decide they would like to keep it for continued use (with the rental cost deducted from the price).

Reselfridges Rental Subscription, a permanent new service launching in April

A new bag-focused rental service through which customers will receive a different designer bag of their choice delivered to them each month. The hyper-curated edit of more than 200 styles across 40 brands includes iconic new season and archive designs as well as new names to know, with styles to experiment with for everyday, parties and special occasions.

Coachtopia, 20th April – 21st May 2023

Selfridges’ Concept Store welcomes Coachtopia, a new sub-brand from Coach focused on circular craft. Powered by community and harnessing more than 80 years of Coach leather expertise, Coachtopia reimagines the product lifecycle from end to beginning—reducing the creation of new materials by crafting with waste and designing products that can be reimagined, remade and recycled to live multiple lives. A pop up that’s as much a place for meeting and learning as it is for discovering the brand’s vision for the future of fashion and commitment to circularity.  

The pop-up will also showcase eighteen Coachtopia Ergo bags which will only be available in the UK at Selfridges. The Coachtopia Ergo is a shoulder bag that reimagines an iconic 90s silhouette from Coach’s archives. Made from either Upcrafted or Coachtopia leather, the bags are made with at least 48% recycled or repurposed materials – including leftover leather scraps from tanneries that might otherwise have gone to landfill – and are designed to be reused and remade over multiple lives.

WORN AGAIN

More information TBA on the Reselfridges Swap Shop (June & July), “Made in Selfridges” (June & July), and the Edward Mews Furniture Fair (August) 

Notes to Editors:

Reselfridges

Reselfridges is Selfridges’ ecosystem of circular products and services bringing together resale, rental, repair, refill and recycle, with an ambition that 45% of transactions will come from Reselfridges by 2030.

RESELFRIDGES

LOEWE X HOWL´S MOVING CASTLE AT SELFRIDGES

The collaboration is boldly brought to life with Selfridges, where LOEWE takes residence from February 1 with an exclusive pre-launch of the capsule collection in the Corner Shop, a unique culinary experience and Studio Ghilbli exhibition space.

Visitors to Oxford Street will discover giant 2D Sophie and Calcifer characters and the Moving Castle on glowing clouds across Selfridges iconic façade at the Corner of Oxford and Duke Street, just above the Corner Shop, where the collaboration will take residence until February 25. A playful, multi-dimensional LOEWE x Howl’s Moving Castle experience, only at Selfridges, includes Calcifer’s Kitchen, a culinary experience inspired by the movie and created by Balbosté at Dolly’s, cinema screenings of the film at The Selfridges Cinema, a pop-up by LOEWE Perfumes and a window on Oxford Street. Selfridges’ exhibition space located on Edward Mews will also be transformed into The Cloud Room, where visitors will be able to discover a selection of the film’s original sketches by Studio Ghibli, go behind-the-scenes of the campaign, explore the making of the collection’s exquisite Moving Castle bag, and find themselves amongst the clouds with an immersive installation. 

LOEWE x Howl’s Moving Castle opens at Selfridges London from February 1–25.

For more information on LOEWE x Howl´s Moving Castle at Selfridges please go to https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/features/articles/corner-shop/

LOEWE X HOWL´S MOVING CASTLE

“The world we are living in needs a counteract: not as an escape, but as a different outlook. This, to me, is what Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films for Studio Ghibli are about: a commentary on the moment and an alternative to it, always heartfelt, fulfilling, full of fantasy and sentiment. This is also the reason why the final installment of our collaboration with Studio Ghibli feels more timely than ever.

One of my favorite Miyazaki creations is the 2004 fantasy epic Howl’s Moving Castle, which is one of the most commercially successful Japanese films in history. Loosely based on a 1986 novel of the same title by Diana Wynne Jones, it tells a story of loyalty and compassion against a backdrop of magic, imposing technology and the destructive effects of war, which makes it incredibly resonating. Set in a fictional kingdom at war, Sophie is the story’s protagonist, a quiet young milliner who is turned into an elderly woman after being cursed by a witch who enters her shop. The metamorphosis transforms Sophie into a heroic central figure, who encounters a wizard named Howl and gets caught up in his resistance to fighting for the king.

Blending hand-drawn and digital animation, Howl’s Moving Castle is technically innovative, exemplifying the power of craft as a bridge between the old and new—a creative approach that LOEWE is proud to share. In the collection, we pushed creativity with bold, intricately crafted pieces designed to bring the world of the film, literally, to life. Key pieces embody the beloved characters and backdrops, giving wearers the chance to identify with the film on a deep level and escape into its rich layers. It’s almost like handcrafted virtual reality in wearable form.

The LOEWE x Howl’s Moving Castle collection features the film’s key characters—Sophie, Howl, fire demon Calcifer, as well as Markl, Heen, Turnip Head, and the Witch of the Waste—animating clothing and accessories: drawn as leather or shearling intarsia, turned into embroidery on leather or textile, decorated with crystal and stud inlays on leather. The characters appear on bags including the Puzzle, Flamenco, Hammock, Amazona, Luna, and Bracelet pouch, on small leather goods, on jumpers, jackets, and shirts, with details such as appliqué, raffia or feathers making them stand out as if they were alive. Scenes of the film are printed in the lining of tweed jackets, or all over shirts and shorts. Feathers on a cardigan create a magical fluttering and silhouettes allow the characters to be the real protagonists on each piece. The castle itself is featured too, as a collage of bits and remnants from our signature bags such as the Puzzle, Flamenco, Amazona, and Hammock, assembled to create a distinctive shape. The film’s mischievous fire demon Calcifer also inspires a new scented candle in the LOEWE Home Scents range, a smoky fragrance with notes of incense, immortelle, patchouli, vetiver, roasted hazelnut, cardamom and elemi.

The images we have created with Juergen Teller to promote the collection feature Taylor Russell, Rianne Van Rompaey, Oliver O’Sullivan, Hyunji Shin, and a sheep, photographed against a white backdrop. Smiling broadly and interacting with the pieces, ultimately they project a heartfelt sense of wonder and amusement.

The message is one of uplifting connection. Crafting fantasies to create alternative realities and see the world in a different way.”

Jonathan Anderson

The LOEWE x Howl’s Moving Castle collection launches in selected stores worldwide on February 2, alongside pop-ups in key locations around the world. A pre-sale on loewe.com opens on February 1, allowing registered clients exclusive access to the collection ahead of the launch. Selected Calcifer items will be exclusively sold online.

THE ART OF CELEBRATION AT SELFRIDGES

Selfridges has had a 2D makeover – from playful installations to marking joyful occasions, ​offering customers new ways to celebrate together.

9 January 2023, Selfridges Celebrates launches today. Selfridges new season launches across all stores with a focus on helping customers celebrate special moments, big or small. In 2023 this is brought to life through the lens of 2D artistry.​

Unveiling all-new window displays and unexpected visual pleasures in its physical and digital spaces, Selfridges Celebrates is Selfridges playful take on how to shop and plan for the moments in life that call for joyful celebration. All year round, customers can find thoughtful gifting ideas and experiences, sustainable solutions and accessible treats, all with a Selfridges 2D twist.​

In a world flooded with hyper-connection and the multi-sensory, 2D illustration is having a moment in the spotlight across all Selfridges categories. Four talented female artists and illustrators Angela Kirkwood, Paulina Almira, Brindha Kumar and Lena Yokoyama have been commissioned to interpret special Selfridges destinations from Dolly’s Café to the Skate Bowl and The Psychic Sisters, to transform 29 iconic windows across Selfridges London, Manchester, and Birmingham stores, with a series of mood-lifting, two-dimensional installations. Angela’s joyful drawings and cheeky characters will also mark each of this year’s calendar celebrations at Selfridges.​

A special commission by John Booth in Selfridges flagship Oxford Street windows on the corners of Oxford Street and Orchard Street invites customers to explore playful interpretations of what celebration means to them.​

Customers will also be able to shop exclusive 2D inspired collaborations and drops revealed throughout the year, from special edition Selfridges Selection treats featuring colourful designs by Angela Kirkwood, to playful homeware, cards and trinkets by David Shrigley, Reselfridges vintage fashion edits inspired by 2D artistry and a whole host of Selfridges Celebrates eventing.​

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NOTES TO EDITORS​

To discover Selfridges’ artist collaborations, gifting ideas and events, visit Selfridges Celebrates.​

SANTA TAKES ELIZABETH LINE TO SELFRIDGES

Selfridges’ Santa and his Christmas Pudding Disco Dancers commute to Selfridges London via the new Bond Street Elizabeth line station to provide festive entertainment and moments of magic for customers this Christmas

[Thursday 1 December 2022] Today, Santa arrived at the new Bond Street Elizabeth line station on his way to Selfridges London to provide festive entertainment and moments of magic for customers.

Santa and his Christmas Pudding Disco Dancers will roam store daily throughout December, alongside helpful elves in the Christmas Shop, spreading the festive cheer as the countdown to Christmas begins. Visitors to Selfridges London can immersive themselves in the festive spirit this month, with high energy shared experiences that are a fantastical feast for the eyes.

Through its Christmas scheme, Season’s Feastings, Selfridges celebrates the power of food to bring us together this festive season. Giant Christmas pudding disco balls are suspended from the ceiling by the central escalators, creating Insta-worthy sparkle and glimmer. Dolly’s café has been transformed into the ultimate feasting destination abundant with Christmas décor, with party energy brought by a cast of Christmas characters and musical entertainment including a Christmas choir. In the evenings the countdown clock will strike to signal a theatrical festive performance, with confetti cannons and Christmas cheer.

Manchester Exchange will have its own cannon experience to wow customers and in Trafford, local Instagram favourite Gooey have brought their sweet treats to a new Christmas Café pop up serving cookies, brioche donuts and hot drinks. The Birmingham store’s Christmas Café is a festive destination for customers to socialise and be inspired. Info on festive events can be found at Selfridges.com.

Season’s Feastings comes to life elsewhere in store in the festive window displays, featuring surreal and spectacular interpretations of festive ‘foodie’ moments, and the Christmas Shop on the fourth floor, where visitors are invited to spend time savouring the festive experience and choosing ornaments that are special to them.

Meave Wall, Selfridges’ Stores Director, says: “This Christmas is all about coming together with loved ones to enjoy cherished rituals. We’re inspired by the power of food in bringing people together and through our theme, Season’s Feastings, are celebrating what this means to us at Selfridges. With our iconic Christmas windows on Oxford Street, Christmas Shops in every store and a line-up of fantastic entertainment, we’re ready and excited to welcome customers in to make their festive season brighter.”

Link to book events at Selfridges
https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/features/info/stores/events/

THE SELFRIDGES CORNER SHOP PRESENTS: & GOOD COMPANY

Selfridges welcomes London’s MACHINE A and Brussels based SMETS to the Corner Shop this September

&Good Company is a celebration of the creativity and innovation to be discovered in the world’s best local, independent, multi-brand stores. ​Every year, Selfridges delivers hundreds of brand collaborations and special projects but is yet to partner with another multi-brand retailer. This September, The Corner Shop will welcome London’s Machine-A and Brussels-based Smets to keep Selfridges in good company for 4 weeks.  

The power of physical retail, customer experience and expert curation will be explored with these independent trailblazers and via a global edit of emerging brands, exclusive merch and a focus on Project Earth and Reselfridges selections. For this first-of-its-kind experiment, The Selfridges team will work closely alongside friends, founders, and champions of new talent, Stavros Karelis and Pascaline Smets.  

“We never stop feeling excited about the future of retail, &Good Company is all about sharing inspiration and creativity from some of the best independent multi-brand stores globally.  We are fascinated by curation and the way these founders have approached fashion; they both have such unique ways that we wanted to give them a platform to express this even further. We are delighted to support their businesses by offering them our best collaborative retail platform, The Corner Shop”.  Sebastian Manes, Buying and Merchandising Director, Selfridges 

Over 4 weeks, customers can discover curated collections from the two stores. Machine-A, founded by Stavros Karelis, is the multi-brand luxury concept store in Soho, London, focusing on continuously highlighting an eclectic mix of emerging and established brands. Machine A brings to &Good Company 22 global brands, including 16 that are new to Selfridges. Stavros Karelis and the Selfridges buying team have worked closely with the designers to offer an array of exclusive-to-Selfridges items. Machine-A has created its first merchandise collection, an exclusive run of t-shirts in four individual designs. Graphic designer Paul Hetherington re-adapts the Machine-A logo into x4 different band-esc styles emblazoned across the front. The t-shirts will pay tribute to the launch of Machine-A Shanghai, as part of the international opening, long-term friends of the brand have shared the reason they love Machine-A, these quotes and designer names; Raf Simons, Matthew Williams, Martine Rose and Coperni will be included above the logo. The t-shirt will also include a QR code on the back allowing the full audio from each designer to be explored. Also available, is a curated vintage edit under Machine-B: the collaboration with cult vintage brand Byronesque. 

“Selfridges has always been the landmark of the London retail and fashion world, with an indisputable reputation on a global level as the best department store. Its curation, creative direction & offer is such that it is absolutely one of the most exciting projects we have done to date. I am thrilled & honoured to collaborate in such an iconic location, with the main aim for both retailers to promote the notion of the London community and showcase MACHINE-A’s unique selection of designers and brands!  

“It is the first-time retailers in London have decided to unite forces and their communities in such a dynamic way, during a month when London celebrates the best of design talent. I am so excited to show to our audiences what we have been working on, including a special limited-edition launch of MACHINE-A’s first-ever branded experience.” Stavros Karelis, Founder – Machine-A  

 SMETS, founded by Pascaline Smets, the high-end luxury store, has exuded a powerful sense of personality and uniqueness since the 1980s. Their avant-garde vision has changed the way shoppers see and purchase fashion in Brussels and Luxembourg. Smets will bring three emerging Belgian designers to Selfridges – all Exclusive to &Good Company at The Selfridges Corner Shop. A selection of design pieces, including sculptures, candles, and specialist books have been personally chosen by Pascaline. Smets will also debut its first-ever vintage offering, a 27-piece archive edit of Alaïa RTW from SS17 and FW17.  

“Selfridges has always been a place to discover new talents and has a global presence. We feel very lucky and honoured to present our brand within The Corner Shop alongside the incredible store Machine-A. For the occasion, we decided to focus on Belgium talents with three emerging designers, Valentine Witmeur Lab, Leo and Arte Antwerp. As Smets is not only about fashion, we have also curated an offering of artwork from photographer Julien Boudet and design pieces from Le Cactus Bleu from Gufram. We hope the Selfridges Customer will get a glimpse of our spirit, Passion, engagement, vision, curiosity, freedom and respect.” Pascaline Smets, Founder – Smets 

The &Good Company Corner shop will be open from 5th September for 4 weeks.  

SANTA UNVEILS CHRISTMAS AT SELFRIDGES: SEASON’S FEASTINGS

With eight weeks to go, Christmas launches at Selfridges stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester and on selfridges.com with a theme of Season’s Feastings: a celebration of the power of food to bring us together

[Thursday 27 October 2022] Season’s Feastings invites customers to celebrate the power of food to bring us together this festive season. Launching across Selfridges’ four stores and on selfridges.com, Selfridges will offer customers serving suggestions for setting up, dressing up, gift giving and merrymaking, as we look forward to coming together with friends and family to enjoy cherished Christmas rituals.

A Festive Day Out 

The Christmas windows, unveiled today, are a must-see as part of a festive day out in London, bringing us together at this time of year. There are 15 windows to explore in total, taking inspiration from the theme with surreal and spectacular interpretations of festive ‘foodie’ moments. Customers can also visit Selfridges’ biggest Christmas Shop to date, open on the fourth floor of the Oxford Street store, reimagined as a magical and immersive place where visitors are invited to spend time savouring the festive experience and choose ornaments that are special to them. Christmas Shops in the Birmingham and Manchester stores are also now open, along with window displays to delight and amuse.

Moments of Magic

This festive season, Selfridges is set to bring loved ones together with high energy shared experiences that are a fantastical feast for the eyes. From 25 November, Santa and his squad of Christmas pudding disco balls will be making daily visits to the Christmas Shop and festive destinations at all stores to greet customers and spread joy as the countdown to Christmas begins. Santa will host events such as the iconic Breakfasts with Santa across London, Birmingham and Manchester, giving customers plenty of chances to make their Christmas wishes.

Reimagined Destinations

Selfridges invites customers to think, feel and experience Christmas with joy and delight in reimagined destinations. From 31 October, Dolly’s café in London will be transformed into the ultimate feasting destination abundant with Christmas décor. From 25 November, the party energy will be brought by a cast of Christmas characters and musical entertainment including a Christmas choir, and in the evenings the countdown clock will strike to signal a theatrical festive performance. Rottingdean Bazaar have been commissioned to design the Selfridges Christmas tree this year, located at the Duke Street entrance of the London store.

In Manchester Exchange, a new confetti cannon experience will wow customers. In Trafford, from 1 November local Instagram favourite Gooey bring their sweet treats to a new Christmas Café pop up serving cookies, brioche donuts and hot drinks, and the Birmingham store will also open a Christmas Café as a destination for customers to socialise and be inspired.

Gifts for All

Selfridges is the home of expertly curated Christmas gifts, helping customers to celebrate with gestures big and small. This year, a Season’s Feastings printed guide cooks up the ultimate Christmas at Selfridges with a host of ‘recipes’ from friends and contributors. Customers can discover DeadHungry’s ultimate festive dessert and the Black Power Waffle by Ghetto Gastro, tips on how to have a more sustainable Christmas from Stella McCartney, as well as how to create DIY decorations with Max Allen and Laila Gohar’s recipe for an unconventional Christmas.

Customers will be inspired through curated advice and a personalised approach. A Hampers Concierge can create bespoke gifts tailored to any recipient and through Selfridges’ Experience Concierge customers can gift unique-to-Selfridges experiences such as Cinema membership, lessons in the skate bowl and pampering sessions.

Earth-conscious shopping is easier than ever with Project Earth labelled edits that are better for people and the planet and a host of Reselfridges services such as rental for partywear, beauty refill gifting and pre-loved presents.

Celebrating Community 

Selfridges is proud to partner with Centrepoint this Christmas to fund housing and support for young people across the UK.  Over the festive period initiatives such as proceeds from a giant 8kg panettone in the Foodhall and a ‘donate as you dine’ scheme giving customers the option to add £1 to their restaurant bill will raise money for the cause.

Meave Wall, Selfridges’ Stores Director, says: “This Christmas is all about coming together with loved ones to enjoy cherished rituals. We’re inspired by the power of food in bringing people together and through our theme, Season’s Feastings, are celebrating what this means to us at Selfridges. With our iconic Christmas windows on Oxford Street, Christmas Shops in every store and a line up of fantastic entertainment, we’re ready and excited to welcome customers in to make their festive season brighter.”

– Ends –

Notes to Editors:

BOOK CHRISTMAS EVENTS AT SELFRIDGES HERE

ABOUT PROJECT EARTH

Project Earth is Selfridges’ evergreen sustainability strategy with bold targets to reinvent retail and meet its commitment to a net-zero future.

Selfridges aims to help customers change the way they shop in three ways: by addressing the materials used in products, launching and exploring new retail models such as resell, repair, refill and rental, and engaging with teams, partners and customers to inspire a shift in mindsets. Building on over a decade of retail activism, Selfridges has made ambitious 2030 targets:

Materials: Everything built, bought and sold will meet its environmental and ethical standards

Models: 45% of transactions will come from circular products and services

Mindsets: Building an inclusive retail culture in which teams, communities and customers put people and planet first in all decision making

Underpinning Project Earth is a broader commitment to Science Based Targets and to achieve net-zero carbon across the business by 2040 as a signatory to the Climate Pledge.

GIANT 8KG CHARITY PANETTONE LAUNCHES AT SELFRIDGES


Selfridges Selection Really Big Panettone serves 100 guests and raises money
for Centrepoint this Christmas

In preparation for the upcoming festive season, Selfridges is unveiling its biggest panettone yet – an 8kg centrepiece that can be served and shared with 100 guests. 

All proceeds from the Selfridges Selection Really Big Panettone will go to Selfridges’ Christmas charity partner, Centrepoint, to fund housing and support for young people in the UK.

This Christmas, Selfridges is celebrating the power of food to bring us together through its theme: Season’s Feastings. Over the festive period, Selfridges will offer customers serving suggestions for setting up, dressing up, gift giving and merrymaking, as we come together with friends and family to enjoy cherished Christmas rituals.

Last year sales of panettone were +41% on 2020, as the sweet Italian bread soars in popularity, overtaking both Christmas cake and Christmas pudding. In 2021, Selfridges sold +75% more panettone than Christmas puddings, and 200% more than Christmas cake, as the panettone becomes a strong seasonal favourite.

This year, Selfridges presents seven panettone options, from the Really Big 8kg to a decadent Chocolate & Orange and a Vegan Classic. The Selfridges Selection Classic Panettone continues to be the bestseller, made with Madagascan bourbon vanilla beans, Italian honey produced deep in the volcanic terroir of the Euganean Hills, sultanas soaked in Moscato wine, free range eggs and fresh butter.

Andrew Bird, Head of Food at Selfridges, says: “Our 8kg panettone is the ultimate centrepiece for a festive party or get together. Inspired by our Christmas theme, Season’s Feastings, and the power of food in bringing people together, especially at Christmas, we wanted to create something to be shared and enjoyed by many, with the added benefit of raising money for our charity partner, Centrepoint, who do vital work to help homeless young people.”

Funding for Centrepoint goes towards giving homeless young people a future, with the ultimate aim of ending youth homelessness by 2037. Selfridges will raise funds for the charity over the Christmas period with initiatives including proceeds from the panettone going to the cause and a ‘donate as you dine’ scheme giving customers the option to add £1 to their restaurant bill.

Selfridges Selection Really Big Panettone is available at Selfridges London and selfridges.com, 8kg, £300.

THE FESTIVE SEASON BEGINS WITH A VISIT TO THE SELFRIDGES CHRISTMAS SHOP 

Discover a destination that’s a must-visit part of a festive spirit-filled day out for friends, families and loved ones to enjoy together.

Monday 3rd October 2022. Today Selfridges launches its biggest Christmas Shop to date (20% bigger than last year), in a dedicated new destination on the fourth floor of the Oxford Street store. The Christmas Shop also opens today in Selfridges Manchester and Birmingham stores. The Christmas Shop has been imagined as a magical and immersive place where visitors are invited to spend time savouring the festive experience and choose ornaments that are special to them.

Each decoration category has been selected by Selfridges to share a unique and inspiring point of view, and to ensure there is something for everyone. The Christmas Shop will showcase Selfridges’ favourite seasonal product stories within a destination that’s a must-visit as part of a festive spirit-filled day out for friends, families and loved ones to enjoy together.

The Christmas Shop will offer carefully curated decorations, lighting, ornaments, advent calendars, gift wrap and cards alongside personalisation services. Customers can explore more than 1,200 pick and mix baubles (+35% more than in 2021). Half of the decorations are exclusive to Selfridges and can’t be found anywhere else in the UK. A total of 60% of the decorations available are Project Earth labelled as being more planet-friendly options.

With 12 weeks to go until Christmas Day, Christmas related searches at Selfridges.com are significantly up on 2021:

  • Christmas decorations +60%
  • Crackers +25%
  • Christmas tableware +30%
  • Advent calendars +350%
  • Lights and trees +138%
  • Christmas wrapping paper +69%

Approaching the offer from the perspective that every decoration can be a special memory, and something to give, collect and keep, Selfridges has identified three key Christmas Shop themes:

  1. Savouring season’s feastings

Shoppers are personalising their Christmas trees with food and drink decorations. This year, over 100 bauble options covering speciality, cult, nostalgic and seasonal food and drink items are set to be one of the most popular collectable bauble choices.  Classic condiments, cocktails, sushi sets, tacos, Dutch pots, bacon and eggs or baguettes – playful decorations that make everyday favourites the contemporary icons of festive cheer. This trend will serve up further festive inspiration with Selfridges set to explore the power of food to bring people together this Christmas.

2. Celebrating diversity

March Muses, a black-owned British brand, creates figurines that celebrate diversity by diversifying celebrations and are the only supplier of Christmas decorations of colour in the UK. Handmade decorations include Black Angels, Wisemen and Santas, alongside gift wrap and cards. Following the huge success of the March Muses last year, find an expanded offer and only-at-Selfridges ornaments.

3. Preparing for a conscious Christmas

A total of 60% of the decorations available are Project Earth labelled as being more planet-friendly options.

New brands within the Selfridges Project Earth edit include reusable fabric Forever Crackers made from Italian silk and designed to last a lifetime, and candy coloured stockings made especially for Selfridges by interiors darling Casa By Paboy, a small homeware social enterprise based in Naples, Italy, founded by craftsman and designer Paboy Bojang.

The Recycled Candle Company produces candles with recycled candle wax from restaurants and churches. B Corp certified, Devon-based Ian Snow baubles are recycled, up-cycled, or made from sustainable materials, ensuring fair trade and ethical practises across the entire supply chain.

The Christmas shop will also offer a selection of wreaths made from pre-loved decorations sourced from charity shops, by The Picture Tales.

As well as offering more planet-friendly choices than ever before, the Christmas Shop has been built with sustainability in mind, reusing baubles from previous displays in store both for bauble walls and recycled into tabletops, giving them gold, red and silver flecks.

Following the Opening of the Christmas Shop today, Selfridges will launch its Christmas scheme across all stores and on Selfridges.com on 27 October to help customers celebrate with small gestures and great gifts and by helping friends, family and loved ones come together through unforgettable experiences. 

From 25 November, Santa and his elf squad will be making daily visits to the Christmas Shop and festive destinations throughout the London store as well as in Birmingham and Manchester to greet customers and spread joy as the countdown to Christmas begins.

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SELFRIDGES TOP TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS 2022

As the Christmas countdown begins, Selfridges releases its prediction of best-selling toys that are sure to delight and ignite imaginations of all little ones this Christmas. These gifts will keep them inspired over the Christmas period and entertained long after the festive holidays.

PERSONALISED JELLYCAT BUNNIES

Available exclusively at Selfridges, everyone’s favourite bashful bunnies can now be personalised in Selfridges’ fourth floor toy department. Have any little ones name embroidered on a bunny’s ear for just £5, all of which goes to charity The Toy Project who raise money to fund workshops and projects, like toy and book libraries and community events.

Jellycat Honey and Rose (launching soon) bunnies, £21
(Personalisation + £5 charity donation)

COOL CRUISER MADE FROM FISHING NETS

This super-sleek three wheel scooter is crafted from discarded fishing nets and perfect for families trying to be more mindful of the environment. With an adjustable handlebar and light up LED wheels, children will look super-cool whilst cruising. Built entirely from replaceable parts, it will grow with its rider and last a lifetime of scooting. Part of Project Earth.

Launching soon – Micro Scooter, Eco Mini Mint, £88

INCLUSIVE & EDUCATIONAL FUN WITH LITTLE OMO

Little Omo is working to ensure that children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds can feel represented. Handmade in the UK and made from FSC wood, these fun face puzzles can help children develop skills in areas from problem solving to shape and colour perception. Part of Project Earth.

Little Omo Face Puzzles, £27

DELIGHTING IMAGINATIONS WITH LE TOY VAN

Part of Selfridges’ more eco-friendly Project Earth collection, this Vanity Table and Stool set will let imaginations run free and make a perfect addition to a child’s bedroom. Hand crafted by skilled toy makers and made using sustainably sourced materials, this vanity table will delight little ones for hours of engaging play.

Vanity Table and Stool wooden furniture set, £120

SUPERSIZED SQUISHMALLOWS

Available exclusively at Selfridges, this delightfully squishy Avocado from Squishmallows is an impressive 20 inches tall and made from super-soft marshmallow-like filling, designed to be loved, hugged and squeezed! Making the snuggliest of companions, this Avocado will make a squish-tastic edition to a child’s bedroom.

Launching soon – Squishmallows 20” Avocado, £60

READY SET GO WITH THE BRIO DELUXE RAILWAY SET

Founded in 1884, brand Brio, is a real classic for any child’s toy collection. With 87 pieces, the set comes complete with passenger trains, freight trains, harbour and metro scenes, stations, cranes, bridges, road and rail tracks and little passengers. This interactive playset also helps develops motor skills, coordination, problem solving and social skills.

Brio, Deluxe Railway Set, £250

ARE YOU READY TO ENTER THE WORLD OF LEGO STAR WARS?

Exclusive to Selfridges, this LEGO Star Wars Ambush of Ferrix playset is the perfect gift for any Star Wars fanatic. Complete with 679 pieces and featuring three LEGO Star Wars minifigures, this playset will put skills to the test for any budding LEGO builders.

LEGO® Star Wars™ 75338 Ambush on Ferrix™ playset, £70

TURBO CHARGE INTO THE FUTURE WITH THE FAO SCHARTZ PORSCHE TAYCAN TURBO S

Perfect for the budding driver, the Porsche Taycan Turbo remote control car has wireless control and a charging station that mimics the real size electric Porsche. This remote control car will have your little ones turbo charging into the future with a maximum speed of 8 kilometres per hour.

Launching soon – FAO Porsche Taycan Turbo RC, £50

SING TO SLEEP WITH THE COCOMELON CODY DOLL

Here to help the little ones with their nursery rhyme inspiration, singing whizz and YouTube star, CoComelon’s Cody will have little tots drift off into the land of nod with its seven iconic sounds and phrases, and bedtime song. Simply squeeze his snuggly tummy when it’s time for bed.

Bedtime Cody musical plush doll 35cm, £28

THE PURR-FECT WORLD OF GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE

Kids can get stuck into the purr-fect world of Gabby’s Dollhouse with a dollhouse of their own. This one’s full of fun features, including the Dollhouse Delivery tower and working Cat-A-Vator. Of course, a Gabby Girl collectible figure is included, as well as a Pandy Paws figure, all of which can be brought to life with the app.

Gabby’s Purrfect Dollhouse, £80