GUILD HAS POPPED UP PERMANENTLY

GUILD, the popular concept store and gallery space for shoppers keen to support Dunedin designers re-opened Saturday 1 June in a new fixed central location at 145 Stuart St.

“Fans of GUILD will be very excited we are back in a permanent location” says Craig Scott, Chair of Dunedin Designed Inc. “Since moving to a trial pop-up model for the last six months, we’ve taken feedback from our loyal customers and while they loved the concept, there was still an overwhelming need for a fixed space. People said they missed being able to come into the store anytime, see what’s new and chat to the designer on duty. While online shopping is popular, people really love being able to come into a unique store like GUILD, where we showcase fantastic bespoke and often one-of-kind creations.”

GUILD is a key project for Dunedin Designed Inc, a unique society of local creatives working towards supporting Dunedin designer’s. GUILD provides an environment for designers to test, create and experiment, while developing their own brand and business experience.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to be in a new central premises” says Craig. “Our team have been working solidly all week since getting the key on Tuesday to transform the space into a chic store. We’ve chosen to open so quickly to take advantage of the Otago University’s 150th celebrations over Queens Birthday. We’re very sure Dunedin alumni will be very keen to see the incredible talent and craftsmanship showcased here – and hopefully purchase an item or two to take home.”

Committee member Bailey Ross adds “GUILD has generated over $500,000 in sales for its designers since 2015 and 90% of that money goes back to the designers. Our model means retail prices can be kept reasonable for shoppers and designers are able to choose the stock they offer for sale. Often these are one-off designs. It’s all about not restricting creativity due to the usual commercial pressures that makers face, and making Dunedin design accessible to shoppers.”

The store is staffed entirely by the designers, and boasts everything from handcrafted jewellery and innovative fashion to homewares, furniture, art prints and more.

BACKGROUND

GUILD’s chic store is a retail and gallery space, dedicated to showcasing high-end Dunedin based designers, creators and makers from disciplines as varied as fashion, jewellery, home decor and graphic design.

GUILD has a unique business model. Designers rent “units” from the society. This system forms the core of the concept. These units relate to “real estate” in the space as well as operating costs and time spend staffing the space. Sales made in the shop are reimbursed to the designer, less a small commission for the society's running costs.

Permanent GUILD retailers from Dunedin:

Aunty

Beats Clothing

Born Original

Darlene Gore

Ghost

Idour

Jackie Ryder Design

Jan McLean Designs

Mixie

MU

Self Destruct Studio

Susan Videlar

Victoria Black Jewllery

Since it’s launch, GUILD has showcased over 120 resident and guest designers in the store, including many design students from Otago Polytechnic.

The store was originally conceptualised by a small group of Dunedin designers looking for a new and interesting way to reach customers in a highly competitive commercial climate.

Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm, Monday - Saturday

Social Media: @guilddunedin


GUILD to change business model

Our Oamaru popup has gone so well, we want to share the GUILD goodness with more of you, so we are taking GUILD on tour! We’ll be popping up at events and towns near you next year. This new way of doing things will replace the permanent store at 45 Moray Place, Dunedin. So you have until Christmas to shop there! We are so proud to have generated over $450,000 in sales for our designers since we opened in 2015. Did you know that at least 90% of that money goes to the designers? Thank you for all your support. See you out there!

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Workshop series to celebrate our second birthday

GUILD will fittingly celebrate two years of creative endeavour with a series of in-store workshops, facilitated by both pop-up and permanent designers. Customers this month can learn to make beeswax food wraps, create a nest of ceramic bowls, or paint an original piece of art.

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October pop-ups

Glenn Jones' witty art prints have popped up in store this month and we have the pleasure of two extra cabinets' worth of Chris Idour jewellery for an exhibition of new work.

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September guest artists

We're loving seeing the works of Shanley Ceramics and Olivia Andrews Illustration we're hosting in store this month, and hearing the loveliest feedback about their wares too. Have you stopped by to check out their work yet? 
 

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