Changing rooms - wall paper
I have been collecting all imagery, photos, and illustrations from Drop Dead past to present and selecting what will be used for the changing rooms decor. (Above are some examples of what will be used).
The idea is to get all of the images printed in lots of different sizes, cut and ripped, which will then be pasted all over the wall of the changing rooms area at the back of the store.
Oli said he wanted it to “look like a 15 year old angry kids bedroom,” and to look natural, so once everything is printed it will be applied to the wall by Oli and myself. This will have a rock and roll dressing room feel but also act as a ‘History of Drop Dead’ - with the neon sitting on the back wall.
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These are the drawings for the neon case that I have been working on with the neon specialist. Originally I was going to get a rusty metal case (similar to an image in a previous post) however this has worked out to be extremely expensive.
So, instead I am going to get the same design but in a black acrylic, with a sheet of clear over the front. I actually feel that this will work equally as well, perhaps better as it will keep a consistency with the front of the store and give a clean plain finish as the rest of the changing rooms is going to be quite grundgy looking. It will also compliment the white neon lighting and make it really vibrant.
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Oli and I discussed what the design for the neon it might be and as the kitty head appears recurently throughout the shop it seems appropriate to go with something else. A design on a Drop Dead vest is on an all seeing eye pyramid - this could look amazing as a neon.
Here is the design, which I took to the neon specialists to see if its possible, and after a couple of alterations we’re ready to begin production.
The design will be made in white neon and from two different sizes of neon tubing. From the drawing you can see that the thinner neon will be the type, inner triangle, eye lashes and centre of the eye. Everything else will be thin. The neon will be inside a case that is 1 meter high, so the actual design will be slightly smaller.
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The new TV character has arrived, right size this time!
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We are still waiting on planning permission for this to go up! It has arrived and hopefully should go up soon.
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These shelves (similar to the other ‘z’ shelves for jeans) will sit on top of the rail shelves and have t-shirts folded on them. The idea is to display all the different designs, then a selection of sizes will sit on the rails below. Ultimately making it easier for the customer to choose what they want.
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Finally, the sign is up!
(As it gets darker the illuminated colour halo effect will become clearer - photos to follow)
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Glass & mirrors
So now that normality has sort of resumed after the buzz of the launch it has become easier to focus once again on the store, with again only a short period of time to go.
I have ordered another mirror for the store (there is only one in the front area of the store so another is definitely needed. There is a small area next to the jeans shelves which is perfect).
I have also ordered two sheets of glass, one for the top of the counter and one to lay on top of the coffin. The idea with both of these is to prevent scratching. The counter has a sheet of neutral acrylic over the top of it as present, however due to the weight and durability of glass, this seems like a better option.
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Previously I was going to get a neon sign made, but there was little space for it once the in-store layout was completed. However, having one in a space designed in the way the changing rooms will be seems perfect.
Last week I went into Foot Patrol, another street wear store in the Soho area. I noticed their neon was in a case which looked rusty - this is something that would suit the style of the changing rooms. If this is places on the back wall above the stairs, customers will be able to see it from inside the store too. This particular wall is quite large, it seems it should be filled with something like this.
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On Sunday I visited Icecreamists, an ice cream boutique which has a gothic, rock and roll feel.
Oli and I have discussed how something like this could be suitable to the changing room area. The idea is to cover the entire back area and changing rooms with Drop Dead photographic imagery which will be torn away to reveal characters. This will give a trashy rock and roll changing rooms vibe but also act a ‘History of Drop Dead’.
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Oli sent me this photo. This would be ideal as a sign for the door, with “Sorry we’re dead” for closed, and “Yes, we’re alive!” for open.
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I have just come across an article written for the Daily Street website, about the launch of the Store on Saturday…
“For today’s fans of the brand, this store must be some kind of heaven. Cartoon wallpaper and cut-outs line every inch of wall, while shelves and rails filled with clothes span the store, from front to the back. Every inch of the store has been designed to fit the brand’s style, from the the colour changing counter at the rear, the ‘kitty brains’ light box which rests above it, and the giant, semi-transparent coffin (filled with glowing cats…) which sits in the middle of it all. It really is a huge interior design success, and I must give massive props to everyone involved in putting it together.”
To read the rest go to…..
http://www.thedailystreet.co.uk/2011/05/drop-dead-kingly-street-store-opening-recap/
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Post Launch - what next?
So despite still being on tour with his band Oli was keen to continue discussing the any improvements and areas which have not been completed. The fact that he is now in the UK helps greatly.
From recent posts and the launch day photos you can see what has been achieved so far, and in a short space of time.
As I have one month left for my project and there are obviously un-finished areas of the store, I will use this time to complete everything and increase the standard of finish.
Things to do:
- Changing rooms
- Window display
- T-shirt display - to catch attention of passers by
- Extra mirrors
- Accessories display
- Coffin Character
- Light box (although we have the light box I was slightly disappointed with the finish, as was Oli. The colours get washed out by the light, so I need to look into how we can rectify this problem).
- The final sign installation (to take the place of the temporary one after the mishap last week!)
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Launch!
(a mixture of my own photos and official photos, courtesy of Tom Barns)
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Drop Dead Clothing, Carnaby Village, 8 Kingly Street, 30th April 2011
- work finished to date.
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