In June, Southbank Centre ran a competition in conjunction with IdeasTap inviting their members to create a bright, eye-catching, unusual, fun, original and modern Christmas window for their flagship Festival Terrace shop.

The winner, Ffion Harman, certainly fulfilled the brief with her giant Southbank Advent Calendar that fills the whole 7m window and stops visitors in their tracks. Created from 24 individual packing crates, shaped to look like houses and each covered in bold vintage and contemporary fabrics the installation will turn into a functioning calendar from December 1 when each day the boxes will be opened up to reveal an artwork installation, gift idea or inspire some Christmas cheer.

”I love advent calendars, I like the way the excitement builds throughout December, so I wanted to use that excitement combined with lots of colours, prints and clean shapes to create a memorable display.’’ Ffion Harman.

“We are always keen to do something a little out of the ordinary and to work with fledgling design talent so this project with Ideas Tap has been a dream collaboration for us. I’m delighted that Ffion has pulled it off and delivered a real alternative Xmas treat” Adam Thow, Head of Retail & Buying, Southbank Centre. The Southbank Advent Calendar is in situ now until Dec 31, Southbank Centre Shop Festival Terrace.

About IdeasTap
IdeasTap are a creative network of more than 120,000 young creatives, a thriving online community and a charity that supports people through opportunities, funding, arts jobs and career.

Southbank Centre shop has three shops across the site – on Festival Terrace, inside the Royal Festival Hall and at the Hayward Gallery. All the shops offer a diverse range of design-led gifts, creative toys for children, ‘50’s inspired homewares and items relating to art, music, dance and photography.