Retailer lays on the glitz to celebrate brand’s new outlet in City Of London
Ryman Design has been putting on the style to open its latest store today, 16 July, in the heart of London’s City.
The fifth outlet under the new design-led retail brand has greeting cards featuring much more prominently than in all the existing stores, alongside an extensive selection of design-led stationery.
And, not missing a trick, as the opening of store coincided with International Drag Day, drag dj Remy Melee added to the glamour and buzzy atmosphere as trading got underway with aplomb, with a juggler and the chance to win lots of prizes helping draw people in.
Ryman owner and former tv dragon Theo Paphitis said: “I’m thrilled to be adding another Ryman Design store to the estate, this time in the heart of Cheapside. Ryman Design is all about inspiring creativity with designer-led cards, gifts and stationery, and opening the store at such a vibrant time of celebration was a no-brainer for me.”
He confirmed that “because of the fantastic response, I’m looking forward to launching more!” about the expansion of the design specialist offshoot of the stationery retailer that was founded in 1893 and now has almost 200 stores.
The greeting card selection in the new Ryman Design store spans 16 bays, flanking the entire left wall from the front of the store right through to some of the back wall, under the eye-catching card sending phrases of “better than a text and “send some smiles”.
The front six bays were dedicated to the exclusive The London Studio Artists’ Collective greeting cards, which features designs from the 100 artists, designers and publishers that work as part of company’s family, spearheaded by founder Soula Zavacopoulos.
Several of those who are part of the Artists’ Collective were there today for the opening – as Gabi Maksimov, of Tikkled Pink, commented: “It’s so exciting to see so many of my designs on sale alongside so many other great designers and brands.”
Adding her joy at seeing her designs on sale in Ryman Design Jessie Maeve, of Jessie Maeve Studio, told PG Buzz: “This is such an amazing store in which greeting cards really come to life, and I’m so happy my designs feature among such as strong selection.”
Another of The London Studio’s brands is Art Of Drag which also features in the store on an exclusive range of specially-designed greeting cards, stationery and giftware.
Available through to August, this limited edition 2024 Art Of Drag Pride collection sticks with the style that made the brand famous –taking acclaimed artworks featuring cultural female icons and replacing them with drag artists – and as today is International Drag Day celebrating the culture around the world made it the perfect tie-up for the store opening.
Theo said he has “greatly enjoyed” working with Soula on the Art Of Drag collaboration, adding: “Her talent for thinking both creatively and commercially means she develops products that our customers can’t get enough of.”
Soula and her business were early winners of Theo’s initiative #SmallBusinessSunday on X, then Twitter, picked by Theo in 2011 as part of his ongoing support for smaller firms, and they have maintained the relationship ever since.
As Soula added: “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Ryman and love seeing our new Art Of Drag Pride Collection in stores as well as so many of our other fabulous artists’ designs.”
