Corner shop catwalk: innovative exhibition celebrates Southampton’s local culture and highlights students’ creativity

An exciting new exhibition is set to be unveiled at The Spark Atrium, Solent University. The Corner Shop & Portals into Other Worlds, a multidisciplinary exhibition that brings together community, culture and creativity, will run from 2-4 December 2024.

This unique project, a collaboration between Southampton Forward, Solent University, Winchester School of Art and seven local corner shops, explores the essence of Southampton’s diverse corner shops as cultural and community hubs, operating quietly but crucially at the heart of local neighbourhoods.

Drawing inspiration from Babita Sharma’s book The Corner Shop, the project highlights these familiar spaces as vital cultural landmarks. Seven corner shops – each with its own story and loyal customer base – are brought to life through the work of students from Solent University and Winchester School of Art, who have contributed to the project by designing original fashion pieces, providing photography and documenting stories.

This free public exhibition invites the community to experience these stories and celebrate the role Southampton’s corner shops play in the city’s cultural identity.

“This project is a powerful example of how community collaboration can create new connections and celebrate our city’s diversity,” said Claire Whitaker, CEO of Southampton Forward.

“Corner shops are more than businesses; they’re meeting points, support networks and places where Southampton’s multicultural stories intersect every day. Working with students to amplify these stories through fashion, photography and creative writing has given us all a fresh appreciation for the role these shops play in our daily lives.”

At the core of the project is a student-led fashion showcase inspired by the unique role of corner shops in the community. From workwear to luxe sportswear and party attire, each look tells a story of how these local shops serve as cultural bridges. This project also includes newly designed shop signs and accessories created in partnership with Southampton’s Women’s Integration Group (WIG), celebrating the corner shop’s part in the city’s social fabric.

As Stephanie Allen, Project Producer, explains: “The Corner Shop project has been an invaluable learning experience for students across multiple disciplines, from fashion design to makeup artistry, photography and media. It’s been fantastic to see them apply their creative talents and develop new skills while engaging directly with our city’s communities. These students have shown remarkable dedication, and their work serves as a vibrant ‘love letter’ to Southampton’s corner shops.”

Alongside the student designs, the exhibition will feature a new creative writing piece by local author Susmita Bhattacharya. Drawing on oral histories collected from shopkeepers, Bhattacharya’s evocative narrative honours the resilience and diversity of Southampton’s corner shops and reflects their touchstones of shared memories and community pride.

Event Details:
Dates: 2-4 December 2024
Location: The Spark Atrium, Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0YN
Time: 9.00am to 5.30pm (open to the public and free to attend)

For more information visit southamptonforward.org.uk/thecornershop

The Corner Shop and Portal into Other Worlds is the brainchild of Creative Producer Darrell Vydelingum and is supported by funding from Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.