UAL launches Not just a shop supporting the next generation of design talent. University of the Arts London (UAL) has launched a pioneering new retail space this autumn, selling design-led products and artwork from its abundance of talented alumni. Not just a shop will stock a diverse range of home, fashion and giftware – from cards, stationary, bags and jewellery, through to limited edition prints and one-off artworks – all created by those who studied at UAL’s six leading arts colleges.

A unique and welcome addition to London’s busy High Holborn, the store will sell products by a wealth of established and up-and-coming design talent, with a focus on sustainability, British manufacturing and traditional manufacturing techniques. not just a shop’s launch collection will include designs by: By Alex, Chatty Feet, Crispin Finn, Design K, Emily Nash, Emma Alignton, Fawn & Thistle, Finchittida, House of Cally, Jacqueline Colley, Kangan Arora, Materia Rica, Maya Magal, Miriam Bridson, Miyu Kurihara, Mystic Forms, Nose To Tail, Purpose & Worth, Ralli, Reiko Kaneko, Robbie Porter, Rolfe and Wills, Squid, STORY, Tatty Devine, Terracotta Row, The City Works, The London Refinery, Walk with Me, Wrap and Yuta Segawa.

UAL has launched the careers of many creative and cultural leaders including more than half of all Turner Prize winners and nominees, 37 of the 80 Royal Academicians, over half of the recipients of British Designer of the Year and over half of the fashion designers that showed at London Fashion Week 2017. Its alumni are also multiple winners in the most prestigious art and design awards: from the BP Portrait Award; Jerwood Prize; Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize; Minerva Medal; BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Oscars.

The University has long supported its students with starting and developing their businesses; its Careers and Employability department helps students and alumni to embark on their professional futures in the creative industries, find jobs, set up businesses and sell their work. As the name suggests, not just a shop will be much more than a commercial retail space; profits from the shop will go back into supporting the department’s enterprise programme, which includes free talks, workshops, funding and one-to-one business education and support. The new space will also provide a venue for UAL to host relevant enterprise learning events, with topics including: intellectual property for creatives; pricing and selling art and design work; visual business planning; building a brand and delivering the perfect pitch.

Nigel Carrington, Vice-Chancellor of University of the Arts London (UAL), commented: “As the main talent pipeline to the UK’s L87billion a year creative industries, UAL takes great pride in nurturing and supporting the next generation of creative talent. not just a shop will be an invaluable platform, right in the heart of London, for us to showcase our talented graduates to the world.”

Natalie Stevens, who curated the collection, said:“I selected these artists and designers based on the strength of their creativity, craftsmanship and distinctive style. Together, their products have provided us with a unique and diverse launch collection for not just a shop. UAL has previously supported many of them through its enterprise programme of exhibitions, trade shows and pop-up shops, so it’s particularly rewarding to have them represent UAL in its first permanent public retail space.” Shopping at not just a shop will allow consumers to source beautiful design products, whilst simultaneously supporting London’s vibrant art and design community and investing in the next generation of creative talent. The ultimate guilt-free shopping experience!

Design: UAL