Sue Kreitzman
FASHION EXHIBITION
‘Old’ is New at Selfridges
British department store Selfridges typically kicks off the year with it’s Bright Young Things exhibition of new design talent. But this year, the retailer is turning the concept on its head with the launch of Bright Old Things, a showcase of works created by “mature” designers ranging in age from mid-40s to 80s. According to a Selfridges release, the store acknowledges that ‘old’ is as subjective as it is irrelevant” and “it’s never too late to try something new.”
The exhibition will spotlight the work of designers, photographers, artists, musicians , entrepreneurs, an architect-turned-topiarist, and a YouTube star. Among the well-known and new discoveries names are retailer-turned-designer Nick Wooster, painter and former Sunday Times Fashion Editor Molly Parkin, artist Sue Kreitzman and Bruno Wizard, described by Selfridges as “the most famous punk you’ve never heard of.”
Photographer Todd Selby also shot each participant in their homes and studios.
Each was given a Selfridges display window facing Oxford Street, where millions of people pass each day. There is a Bright Old Things in-store shop at Selfridges and there are some special events in the works, including something planned for during London Collections: Men.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on is telling great stories. How better to start the year than by celebrating fourteen of them?” said Linda Hewson, Selfridges creative director. “As a centenary-old department store which has been successfully reinventing itself over and over again, it made so much sense for us to shine a light on the wealth of talent and experience harnessed by bright older creatives. These people can definitely teach us all a thing or two about growing old whilst staying young at heart and relevant.”
