Selfridges Manchester an ‘international fashion destination’ following £3m investment

Selfridges’ Exchange Square store sees a £3million investment, a womenswear transformation, the launch of its first AW15 fashion scheme and a MIF collaboration…

A brand new womenswear department at Selfridges Exchange Square has opened offering the very best in luxury fashion, including a number of exclusive boutiques with brand new and exclusive Valentino, Givenchy and Christian Louboutin spaces. The store now offers the only brand ‘world of’ destinations – featuring ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories – outside London.

“We’ve invested three
million pounds into
womenswear to create
an international fashion
destination”

The recently redesigned 3,000 square foot shoe department – the UK’s largest women’s shoe department outside London – features a new concept for master shoemaker Christian Louboutin, combining a variety of signature Louboutin elements with design features that are unique to this new format, and brings together men’s and women’s accessories and shoes, alongside the designer’s beauty collection.

The floor also plays host to a number of leading designers including Alaïa, Balmain, Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, Victoria Beckham, Saint Laurent, Roland Mouret, Stella McCartney, Moschino, Robert Cavalli, Peter Pilotto and many more. Manchester-based media and textile artist Andrea Zapp’s first luxury womenswear collection is also featured.

General manager Jane Sharrocks said,“We couldn’t be more pleased with the look and feel of womenswear at Exchange Square. We’ve invested three million pounds into womenswear to create an international fashion destination. The mix of boutique concepts alongside a carefully selected edit of contemporary and luxury womenswear and shoe brands from around the world – enhanced by unique Selfridges’ experiences – is first-class. I can’t wait see the reaction of our customers, both loyal and new.”

The investment has included the opening of a new 70 square metre personal shopping space which can accommodate groups of ten to fifteen and is perfect for bridal parties and specialist events.

Selfridges has also launched Strength, its first AW15 fashion scheme, in store and online which will ‘explore the materiality of fashion and its most enduring techniques, fabrications and ideas. Products with purpose and integrity, each with strength of design and strength of character, will be the pure focus of the project.’

As part of a collaboration with Manchester International Festival, Selfridges is showing an exclusive film by Ruth Hogben as a digital installation in its Exchange Square windows. The film is inspired by the ballet Tree of Codes which premiered at the Festival and is intended to ‘reflect the sculptural forms, braveness and materiality that inform Strength’s distillation of the new season collections.’ Or watch it on Selfridges’ online broadcast channel, HOT AIR.