introducing: bicyclette
For me, the name bicyclette has connotations of urban city life with a whimsical, romantic twist. I like the fact that it’s more abstract, and brings to mind a lifestyle and feeling rather than a literal description of the product or store. It creates curiosity and intrigue. It brings to mind European influences and an artistic flair, and has a certain independence and free-spirit about it.
bicyclette is a retail store that will support local talent and provide innovative designs by promoting new artists and unique designers and provide customers with a stimulating visual environment. The aim is to create a retail space that sells a lifestyle and becomes a destination for one-of-a-kind and exclusive fashions, accessories, home products and giftware, fulfilling the needs of the customer to express their creativity and individuality through fashion and design.
The purpose of the store reaches beyond simply selling products and aims to sell a feeling of community and a lifestyle brand that is distinct and compelling. Creativity is the driving force behind the store, and between the product assortment and visual environment, the goal is to create a connection between the customer and the brand. A significant part of this will be executed through the innovative store design and visual merchandising. An eclectic mix of merchandise will be offered, and clothing and other products will be cross merchandised to construct unique and inspiring product displays that juxtapose clothing with home, gift and decorative items, and new products with reworked vintage pieces in creative vignettes.
How important is store environment and visual merchandising to the shopping experience?
Images: http://www.weheartit.com
Over the course of the next year , I’ll be continuing to develop my store concept, hopefully with the input of others. I have ideas about how I envision it, but I know that it will change continuously as I do more research and creative exploration throughout this process.
This is gorgeous! If your store style is anything like your personal style, I am hooked!
The store environment and merchandising experience are key. The best shops are the ones that allow you to discover something new and unique.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Yay, I’m really excited for this! I especially like that last image as a source of inspiration. If your store looks anything like that last image I’d probably be there everyday.
On a side note, are you going to carry jewelry? I would love to see some more places in the city that sell vintage or locally made jewelry that isn’t tacky. It’s hard to find good quality local stuff if you don’t know where to look.
@Julia
So glad to hear it!
Jewelry is going to be a huge focus for me, and specifically locally made. I know what you mean about it being hard to find, and I would love to be able to bring a number of different designers together in one location.
I would love to hear about any designers or brands you’re especially interested in, or that you’ve seen other places.
Looks great Paige! Glad you figured out the header
Woo c’est magnifique! I can’t wait to see this amazing concept come to life…but this is great to tie me over in the mean time.
I’d love to see some of my favorite Aussie labels in your store some day! I also agree with Julia about lovely jewels =).
Just off the top of my head, 3 jewelry designers come to mind… all from Vancouver though. But Canadian is still local right haha.
Dotted Loop – she does 2 lines, Dotted Loop and Vintage Remix. The vintage one is particularly interesting because she takes apart a bunch of old pieces and puts them back together in different, cooler ways.
http://www.dottedloop.com/
Justine Brooks – she takes elements from nature, like twigs, leaves, mussels etc, and casts them then dips them in silver. Her pieces are really strange but interesting.
http://www.justinebrooks.com/
Toodle Bunny – all of her stuff is kind of charm-bracelet-esque. She uses alot of cameos and birds and these sorts of things. All handmade though.
http://www.toodlebunny.com/
Anyways, take a look at their websites, they all have some really unique pieces and this is the style of jewelry that I would like to find that is made and sold in Toronto, but haven’t yet.
Thanks!
Mink Pink is one Aussie label that I’d love to carry and which really hasn’t been brought to Canada very much yet. Are there others?