The d&mShop's Pop-Up Holiday Shop in the URBN Center offers unique, personal gifts for friends and family, including jewelry, scarves and stationary.
The holiday shopping season is upon us, which means crowded stores, long lines and packed parking lots.
This year, leave the crowds behind and shop for unique, personal gifts for family and friends at the d&mShop, a retail laboratory run by the Design & Merchandising students within the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University. From jewelry to scarves to stationary, the shop features one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted items created, developed and/or selected by students, faculty, staff and alumni of Drexel University as well as local artists and boutiques.
The d&mShop operates as both a pop-up retail site and online store. The retail store pops up in the URBN Center Lobby (3501 Market Street) from Monday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 6. The shop will be open Dec. 1 from 9 a.m.–Noon, Dec. 2 from 4–7 p.m., Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Dec. 4 from 1–4 p.m., Dec. 5 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Products are also available online anytime at www.dmshopatdrexel.com. Use promo code DREXEL14 to get free delivery anywhere on campus before Dec. 25.
“Gifts for her, for him, for your pet, for your friend — there is something for everyone on your list at the d&mShop,” said Kristen Ainscoe, an assistant teaching professor who manages the shop. “We’d love to have you join us in supporting interesting and dynamic product development this holiday season.”
The shop offers students the opportunity to learn how to operate a business enterprise, while promoting the work and products of Drexel faculty, students, alumni, staff and local artists. Students are responsible for everything from product development to inventory allocation to social content and creation to photography and post-production to marketing.
The products offered for sale are based on submissions from artists that include original designs for items such as jewelry and accessories, apparel, gifts, stationary, handbags, scarves and home goods. Product assortments for the retail store and online store vary and are specialized and designed for specific events/dates. These products are often produced in small quantities and are only offered for a limited time.
Highlights from the shop include:
- Drexel Campus Bangle, $36.00
This exclusive cuff features the map of Drexel University (University City Campus). The campus map illustrates buildings, dorms and Drexel shuttle and SEPTA stops from Walnut to Baring Streets and 31st to 35th Streets. Campus Cuffs help students, locals and tourists alike feel comfortable navigating the streets, shuttle and subway system with an inconspicuous gesture, just like checking a watch. These map cuff bracelets are unique souvenirs and make great gifts for students and alumni.
- GO!PETDESIGN Flash MeriMice, $5.00
Show your furry friend that you care with products from designers who understand that the things we use, decorate our lives with and give to our pets should be aesthetically pleasing. These little creatures inspire hours of play with their round body, whiskers and long, enticing tail. Perfect for the earth-friendly household, they’re made from 100 percent eco-wool and dyed with AZO free natural dyes. Each MeriMouse is handmade and packaged individually. Designed by Peter Pracilio.
- Silicone Tote Bag, $32.00
From the gym to class to work, this bag will hold your pet, your books – just about everything in your life. Resistant to stains and odors from people and pets.
- Audubon Silk Square Scarf, $190.00
These Audubon scarves are the second installment of the d&mShop’s Audubon Series, a collection of 100 percent silk scarves with rolled edges designed by Sandy Stewart, academic associate dean for the Westphal College and graphic design professor, and Roberta Gruber, head of the department of design in the Westphal College. The scarves were designed using the historical Audubon prints housed in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.
- Holiday Cards Assortment, $8.00
A hand-written, personal card is one of the most heartfelt gifts you can give. The d&mshop’s holiday card sets allow you to choose the message you want to send, but the insides are left blank to personalize your holiday message. These cards were designed by d&m student Samuel Eisenstat.
Whether it’s the first day of school, a new job or congratulations on a promotion, these pens are the perfect gift for any high achiever. These hand-turned wooden pens are simple and elegant. Choose solid wood, with color and rhinestone accents. Replacement cartridges available. This product is hand-dyed and turned wood by product design alumnus Bradley Siegel.
About Design & Merchandising:
Students in the Design & Merchandising program at Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design develop an appreciation for style and product quality, learn to communicate verbally and visually about design across traditional and emerging media and gain the business knowledge and skills required to promote an aesthetically grounded point of view in the global marketplace. FashionSchools.org has ranked Drexel’s Design & Merchandising program 3rd in the US (out of 75 schools) and 2nd among East Coast U.S. institutions. The Design & Merchandising program educates and prepares students to effect change via creative problem-solving in design and commerce. Through an interdisciplinary approach, we graduate adaptable, creative, confident and passionate professionals who are technologically adept and globally aware. For more information, visit www.drexel.edu/westphal/undergraduate/DSMR/.