Loake: Premium footwear needs premium displays

Bespoke oak footwear displays for the 'Barbour by Loake' collaboration

We partnered with renowned British footwear brand Loake to create elegant, custom-designed shoe stands for their 'Barbour by Loake' collaboration launch. The project required displays that matched Loake's exceptional craftsmanship while meeting tight launch deadlines across multiple retail locations.

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Plan
Design
Deliver
Install
Upgrade

Client overview

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Retail
UK

Loake is a renowned British footwear brand known for its exceptional craftsmanship and stylish designs. With a strong heritage and reputation for attention to detail, Loake maintains high standards across all aspects of their brand presentation, from their handcrafted shoes to their retail environments.

Key goals

Showcase the new 'Barbour by Loake' collaboration effectively in retail stores
Create displays that align with and enhance both brands' visual identities
Reflect Loake's signature craftsmanship and attention to detail in the display design
Ensure timely delivery to meet the collaboration launch deadline
Loake
UK

Project brief

We were tasked with designing and producing bespoke footwear stands to enhance the in-store presentation of Loake's shoes for an upcoming product launch. The project required a combination of functionality, style, and careful material selection to achieve the right balance between showcasing the footwear effectively and maintaining brand alignment.

31 July 2024

–

18 October 2024
2.5 Months

Key objectives

  • Design displays that reflect the same level of quality and craftsmanship as Loake's footwear
  • Select natural materials that echo Loake's aesthetic and complement existing branding
  • Ensure perfect alignment with graphic elements and branding guidelines
  • Deliver completed displays on schedule to enable installation before the launch date
  • Solutions

    Bespoke oak stands

    Custom footwear stands were crafted from oak, selected to complement Loake’s natural aesthetic and existing retail materials.

    Carefully matched timber

    Wood grain, tone and density were carefully matched to create a cohesive connection with Loake’s existing store environment and branding.

    Branded engraving

    Darkened engraving was applied to the stand bases, incorporating Loake’s branding while adding a refined, premium detail.

    Premium retail finish

    The natural oak construction created a warm, sophisticated presentation that complemented the quality and craftsmanship of the footwear on display.

    Visual showcase / Deliverables

    Results

    0
    bespoke oak display stands produced in initial order
    0%
    on-time delivery to launch deadline
    0 weeks
    from order to delivery

    Implementation

    • Not included in this project

      Plan

      We map out your project scope, nail down the tech specs, and chart the path from concept to completion – on time, on spec, no excuses.
    • Included in this project

      Design

      Our design team worked through several discussions with Loake to finalise the display specifications. Multiple variations of the engraving were tested to ensure a perfect match with branding and graphic elements. Wood samples were carefully selected to match the grain density and tone that aligned with Loake's vision and existing display materials.

    • Included in this project

      Deliver

      Production and logistics were carefully managed to meet the critical launch timeline. The completed displays were delivered on schedule on 18 October 2024, allowing Loake to install them in their stores just in time for the 'Barbour by Loake' collaboration launch. The initial order of 300 units has been followed by repeat orders, with the displays now in ongoing use throughout Loake stores worldwide.

    • Not included in this project

      Install

      We bring our experienced fitters on-site to set everything up precisely, making sure it all works flawlessly and looks exactly as it should.
    • Not included in this project

      Upgrade

      We refresh your existing setup, extending its life and keeping it current as your brand evolves and technology moves on.

    Testimonials

    I wanted to extend a big thank you to you and the team for creating and delivering the first batch of our new footwear displays. We managed to get them out to our stores just in time for our 'Barbour by Loake' collaboration launch!

    Lauren Parke
    Lauren Parke Marketing Manager, Loake

    I wanted to extend a big thank you to you and the team for creating and delivering the first batch of our new footwear displays. We managed to get them out to our stores just in time for our 'Barbour by Loake' collaboration launch!

    zxc zxc

    Key learnings

    • Collaborate from the outset: Close involvement with the client helps ensure materials, finishes and design details align with the brand from the beginning.
    • Match materials carefully: Natural materials can vary, so careful selection and testing are important when achieving a consistent branded finish.
    • Refine the details: Small elements such as engraving, tone and finish can have a significant impact on the overall quality and authenticity of a display.
    • Use samples to build confidence: Physical samples and prototypes allow details to be reviewed and refined before committing to full production.
    • Design for scalability: Display solutions should consider future requirements,making it easier to reproduce and expand the range as the retail estate grows.

    Tips

    Invest time in material selection to ensure perfect brand alignment
    Test multiple variations of details like engraving to achieve exact matches
    Build in buffer time for production when working with natural materials that may vary
    Maintain close communication with clients throughout the design process
    Plan logistics carefully when delivery timing is critical to product launches
    Use samples and prototypes to ensure client approval before full production
    Design for scalability to support ongoing orders and global rollout

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