Student’s retail designs brought to life in flagship Space NK store

James Nicholson’s perspex lipstick display chandelier for the luxury beauty retailer’s new ‘By Terry’ range began as an idea created for a project as part of Leeds Beckett’s visual merchandising module of BA (Hons) Retail Management last year.

A team of second year students took part in a research visit to London where they met and received a talk from Paul Wilkins, Head of Visual Merchandising at Space NK. The students were then tasked by Paul to produce ideas for displaying new brands in-store and for branded events for some of their in-store ‘discovery spaces’.

In May, the students met Paul again, along with Heather Alexander, Space NK’s Retail Director at the company’s Leeds store in the Victoria Quarter, where they formally presented their ideas.

James, along with fellow students Lucie Brown, Catherine Dowson, Luke Jenkins, Charlotte Hagley and Jess Griffin, were chosen to go on to work with Louis Matthewman, Space NK’s Events Manager, to bring their presented ideas to life within Space NK stores over the coming year.

Visual merchandising module leader, Esther Pugh, said: “When Paul Wilkins was shown James’s chandelier idea in a presentation at their Leeds store, he was hugely impressed by it! In fact, he commented on the high calibre of all the Leeds Beckett students' ideas. I was so very proud of the students' achievements and pleased that they created such a positive impression. It is great that the students can put such projects on their CVs to demonstrate industry experience to future potential employers.”

James’s chandelier was launched at the beginning of September at a special event at the prestigious Space NK Knightsbridge and Paul gave him special credit in his speech to invited guests and their loyal customers.

James explained: “It was such a privilege to be invited by Space NK to the launch event of their new AW16 and 'By Terry' ranges. It was so surreal seeing my design brought to life in such a spectacular way and being displayed opposite Harrods! The event was fabulous and it was great to meet all the people who had been involved in the new season launch and get such positive feedback on the chandelier. Getting a mention from Paul Wilkins, Space NK's Head of Visual, in his welcome speech was very humbling.

“Being given the fantastic opportunity by my lecturer, Esther Pugh, to be involved with his project as part of the visual merchandising module and to see it launched in such a prestigious location has been such a valuable experience for me and I loved being a part of it!”

Esther added: “I am always eager to engage students in real life industry projects. These allow students to develop transferable skills such as working to deadlines, engaging with clients and working in teams as well as technical abilities and giving practical application to theoretical concepts. I’m so excited to see James's and other students’ ideas being brought to life in Space NK. I would like to thank Space NK for committing time to our students and for mentoring them. These kinds of 'real world' projects make this course fun and always receive excellent student feedback.”