LONDON — A key component of Bicester Village’s 30th anniversary celebration, Penny Martin, founder and editor in chief of The Gentlewoman, on Thursday inaugurated the Village News pop-up shop and the launch of 1995, a bespoke publication done in partnership with Bicester Village that examines the culture and spirit of the decade.
Hailing 1995 “a pivotal year” in front of shoppers and members of The Gentlewoman Club, Martin expressed her gratitude toward those who helped her put the magazine together, including Desirée Bollier, chair and global chief merchant for The Bicester Collection and its owner, Value Retail Management.
“Big thank you to those retail geniuses for supporting an in-depth, printed look at fashion, service and travel since 1995, via sensational photography, essays and design,” she said.
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“In a summer that threatens to be dominated by retro ‘cool’ Britannia, it’s been a joy to think about some of the modern, female North Stars of the 1990s and their lasting ideas and achievements, and even to interview some men for a change,” continued Martin in front of the white and green color-coded pop-up.
Martin then cut the ribbon on the Village News pop-up, which stocks past issues of The Gentlewoman, 1995-themed memorabilia, and a post office box where guests will be able to share their favorite 1995 moment.
In addition to the 1995 zine, the off-price retailer unveiled a campaign with a series of film shorts that feature real Bicester customers in a surreal environment. The films also showcase the village mascot, Porridge the bear; a magical phone box portal, and dresses that fly around the VIP shopping suite.
Called “What Will You Find?” the campaign was shot and directed by the London-based photographer Joyce Ng. The creative director was Matt Tsang, with styling by Clara Mary Joy.
The celebrations will also see Bicester embrace the ‘90s with a multiphase village takeover that will run until the end of the year.
In July, Alex James, bassist for the Britpop band Blur, who now makes artisanal cheese at his Oxfordshire farm, will be speaking. He’s also curated a list of ‘90s music that guests can listen to inside the village phone boxes.
Bicester’s brands are joining the party, with Marc Jacobs creating a ‘90s grunge capsule, and fragrance brands including Creed, Issey Miyake and Jo Malone London spotlighting their top scents from the era. MAC plans to bring back its most popular ’90s lip product shades for a limited period.
More events are planned for the second half.
