New look for Cotton On by students

By Aimee Chanthadavong

Cotton On and designer Catherine Manuell have partnered with RMIT University’s visual merchandising students to create new window displays and in-store designs.

The group of 20 students were provided a brief based on the 1970’s comedy Gilligan’s Island in which they had to design, manufacture and install a window and in-store concept for the Cotton on Kid’s Richmond store within a two week time frame and budget.

Sue Robinson, RMIT Visual Merchandising teacher responsible for organising the project, told Retailbiz that this project has been beneficial for the students.

“They were able to have direct contact with people in the industry who provided them with direct feedback. It was also important for them to realise the reality of the retail world where deadlines really means deadlines and how important visual merchandising is in driving sales for a store,” she said.

“The experience was also great exposure for the students, where we able to see them in their professional manner, particularly knowing that Cotton On is a good stepping stone and currently employ some of our ex-students.”

For accessory and luggage label Catherine Manuell, the students worked to create a window display based around designer’s current catalogue, ‘Sculptural and Modern Floral’.