In 2009 I joined a social enterprise called Fabrication which is a creative community of around 50 local Yorkshire based artists. Fabrication has a workshop and studio space as well as two shops in York and Leeds. The shops have a range of arts and crafts, ranging from prints to photography, pressed flower art, ceramics, textiles and fashion. It’s amazing to see the huge variety of skills and talents under one roof! My jewellery never really had an outlet before, whereas my paintings and artwork were often exhibited so to have a sales venue I could join in the city centre was just perfect.
The Leeds shop has a large full height window – as do most of the stores on Albion Street. Having completed the British Display Society training in visual merchandising at Bradford College many years ago, window dressing was always a career I quite fancied. At the time of completing my course I was encouraged by my tutor to apply for a job that would mean I would travel Europe working in various stores as a window display designer. However, for various personal reasons I didn’t go for it – a decision I have sometimes regretted but since joining Fabrication I get to live a little of that dream here in Yorkshire!
While working my shifts at the shop I would often look out through the large glass expanse at the front of the Leeds shop which just made me really want to join the display team and help with the designs. I enjoy collaborative work much more than working on my own projects or for myself. If something achieves a greater good then it always motivates me and is far more rewarding.
Our first main window display with me on board was the Christmas window and anyone in retail knows that windows are an important thing this time of year. I was thrown in at the deep end somewhat! Themed around a winter forest this window incorporated hundreds of hand cut white paper leaves that draped from real wood branches. Various displays have been created using homemade props to set off the gorgeous products we had in the shop. The window changes every month and it is something I always look forward to either seeing or being a part of. With so many talented artists involved in the display team, we can make just about anything between us all: from delicate paper garlands, giant dreamcatchers to huge wooden ginger bread houses!
So if you’re ever in Leeds City Centre do have a wander down Albion Street and have a look at our current window on display – you may even be tempted to pop in and have a browse!
https://www.fabric-ation.co.uk/
WINDOW DISPLAY GALLERY
Props in images: Amanda Burton
Window Drawings: Amanda Burton
Product Display & Photography: Emma Manners
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