By Tom Kirkby: Electrik Sheep is one of Newcastle’s coolest independent shops. They’re a champion of the local art scene and they curate the finest clothes, books, magazines and toys for their customers. We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Laura Dover – the shop manager, buyer, and all around master of ceremonies – to ask her some questions about her shop, Electrik Sheep. Click Read More for the Interview and additional photos.

What is Electrik Sheep?

Electrik Sheep is a concept store and gallery. It started as a place to showcase products created or related to the graphic design industry, and It continues to grow. We currently stock products sourced from all over the world – from cult street-wear labels, collectable art and vinyl toys to cutting edge design books and magazines. They’re all relevant to what’s happening in the current art and design scene. Overall, the store is an evolving entity with new products being introduced each season and sometimes even on a weekly basis to retain a fresh and exciting atmosphere.

What’s the story behind it? How was it started and why?

The store was conceived over three years ago by Peter and Sheilen, the owners of Reluctant Hero, a Newcastle based graphic design agency. They spent many years working in graphic design and advertising in the US. Their work was located in cities like San Francisco and New York where they noticed stores specializing in inspiring design merchandise. These sort of stores tend to only exist in such cities and Peter and Sheilen thought why should the good people of Newcastle be deprived.

What is your involvement with the shop? What is your job role?

I’m the retail manager and buyer. I’m in the store monday through friday helping customers, researching various product areas and buying art, clothing and books for the store. I’m constantly scouring for the latest clothing label, newly published book or emerging street artist to show in the store. I also arrange exhibitions and events in the store and look after the website and visual layout of the physical store.

How do you think Electrik Sheep fits into Newcastle as a whole? In relation to the art and fashion scenes?

I think Electrik Sheep is one of those stores, as all independents are, that gives a city its individual personality. Without such establishments and the people that work, shop and hang out at them we would live in characterless cities with the same high-street stores and bland cultural scene. I think it’s important that we all support the independent businesses and champion it as the last standing of non-corporate culture. Electrik Sheep also highlights the low-brow art-scene and makes exclusive and limited edition art and fashion accessible to everyone. It provides inspiration and design sources for many creative university courses and creative businesses existing tucked away in pockets all over the northeast region.

What does the future hold for the shop?

The future of the shop is to continue to provide Newcastle (and the international community via the web) with a reliable source of art and fashion provided with the same friendly approach as it always has. Maybe one day there will be more than one Electrik Sheep. The future is in the customers hands… spread the word!

You always play cool music in the shop, what’s on the playlist at the moment?

At the moment we are playing: Dan le Sac and Scrubious Pip, MGMT, Jamie Lidell, Kings of Leon, Lupe Fiasco, MIA, The Kills, and Lightspeed Champion. There is so much more but your article would just be a list of music!!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Support the independent businesses in their cities – they help make up the cultural fabric… I know I’ve already said that loads of times, but I would to reinforce the message again!!!

- el fin

Store Details

Electrik Sheep
22 Pink Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 5DW
01912614444

Electrik Sheep Website
SuperFuture on Electrik Sheep

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