Judge Gill designs within the Boxx

Manchester-based Judge Gill has created interiors and branding for Boxx, a 130m2 footwear concept store from JD Sports-owner John David Group, due to open later this month in the city’s Arndale Centre.

The flagship outlet is intended to appeal to young, fashion-conscious consumers and will stock brands including Adidas, Diesel, Nicholas Deakins, Puma and Vans. Further stores are planned for Cardiff and Kingston, as the first stage of a national roll-out.

The styling of the Boxx brand reflects the ‘urban influences and contemporary detailing’ that are currently driving the casual footwear market, says a consultancy spokeswoman.

Judge Gill designer Stella Taylor led the creative team. She says the design mixes a utilitarian feel with an eclectic approach to colours and materials. Warm and cold greys are juxtaposed with anodised aluminium panels and bright graphics. In-store imagery makes reference to the city of Manchester.

Industrial sizes and finishes give the store an urban feel. Furniture is bold, oversized and made out of sheet metal. This develops the ‘box’ theme, Taylor adds. Floor pieces are constructed from stacked boxes, while hanging furniture and displays can be broken down and reassembled.

Judge Gill won the job without a pitch, having worked with the client for about ten years. Its most recent commission before Boxx was a 3716m2 fashion store in Liverpool called Open, which launched in October.