Virgin makes up cosmetic pitch

Design Clinic is among several consultancies which have been approached to discuss design for Virgin’s planned 45m cosmetics chain, due to open late next year.

“Design Clinic is one of a number of agencies we are talking to,” confirms a spokeswoman for the planned 100-strong chain which aims to challenge Boots and The Body Shop. The spokeswoman is from The Project Consultancy, set up to mastermind the chain by Victory Corporation, a joint venture between Virgin and entrepreneurs Rory and Tim McCarthy (DW 18 October).

Nine design consultancies from interiors, packaging and corporate identity disciplines were originally involved in discussions, she explains. The spokeswoman adds that “more than one designer” has been shortlisted for further discussion. “We need the experts in each specialised field of design,” she adds.

The nine contenders, who the spokeswoman declines to name, were not paid for initial suggestions, but the unspecified amount of shortlisted designers each receive a fee.

“It was an enormously detailed brief, everything from the personality of the brand to how a lipstick should feel when you close it,” she says, adding that a long-term relationship with the chosen designers is expected.

The spokeswoman declines to say when the appointments will be made.