After the success of its pop-up shop last spring, San Francisco’s Academy of Art University has opened a permanent 1500-square-foot, not-for-profit retail space called Shop657. The store will sell apparel, shoes, accessories and decorative lifestyle pieces designed by students and alumni, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
As part of their coursework, BFA merchandising product development students will create gift items and accessories, and BFA merchandising and buying students will select the products to be sold. They will collaborate to set pricing and work on the marketing plan, reports WWD. Items for sale range from $50 to $800.
“Creating and operating a dedicated fashion retail space is a unique opportunity and a logical progression for our fashion merchandising and design students and alumni,” says Keanan Duffty, the school’s senior director of fashion merchandising.