Fenwick celebrates its 140 years of the Newcastle department store in style with a Circus theme running throughout the entire event. This included the opening of a fashion exhibition in collaboration with Northumbria University which features a collection of flamboyant circus costumes and a brand new look for Café 140.
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The circus extravaganza inspired the decor throughout the store, down to the new carpet running through the revamped first-floor café. Picture – balloons, vibrant colours and all the stylish fashion pieces you could imagine.
The new Café 140, located on the first floor near womenswear, will be bringing back some of the classic dishes that shoppers may remember throughout the years. However, the best part is, while you’re sitting having a cup of coffee you get a great view of the beautiful dresses inspired by past-era fashions in their new exhibition. What’s not to love?
Grace Cassidy, 22, a sales assistant at Fenwick, said: “The new cafe and exhibition only opened on 24 March 2022 but it has already been a big hit with the customers. I’ve had a lot of customers asking me about it, and I love it when they do. To anyone who comes in the store and wants to know more feel free to ask the staff we love that we can celebrate our store turning 140 with you.”
The Fashion exhibition in Fenwick has been an attraction for many customers browsing on the shop floor who are intrigued to find out the history behind the pieces. The circus costumes on show come from a collection of memorabilia from the Fenwick ancestors that are now part of an archive collection by Tyne and Wear Museums. The costumes are back as part of the exhibition, but you can also find some historical pieces including archive images, artwork and a timeline of events across the history of the company. Not to mention, the exhibition features connections to the Fenwick family including Arthur Fenwick’s journal.
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“The clothing pieces in the exhibit are amazing. Fenwick teamed up with Northumbria University for a lot of the pieces, and they have all turned out amazing. There is a unique range from circus costumes to wedding dresses. I would recommend it to anyone, especially those interested in fashion history,” added Grace.
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The events didn’t stop there on 26 March, 2022 Fenwick took to Northumberland Street in Newcastle city centre to perform aerialists and acrobats for their 140 years birthday which entertained the locals passing in the centre.
“We are hoping it will attract customers, Fenwick has been such a big part of Newcastle over the last 140 years, therefore, it’s great we get to celebrate their anniversary with the customers and look back on how it all began. Everyone at Fenwick is so passionate about what we do, and we hope the customers feel the same and enjoy celebrating all the store has to offer. There are so many more celebrations to come, as the cafe will remain for the next year. This is just the beginning of the anniversary, and the next year is set to be a very exciting one for Fenwick.”
Have you visited the exhibition yet? Tweet us @Fashion_North.
