Glasgow Barrowland x Christian MacLeod

World-leading live music venue Glasgow Barrowland teams up with Scottish designer Christian MacLeod for ground-breaking merchandising partnership!

Article Source: Christian MacLeod
Last Updated: 13 August 2023 10:35

Scots fashion sensation Christian MacLeod has teamed up with iconic music venue The Barrowland for a huge long-term partnership – and he’s even been allowed to transform the legendary logo, creating new brands Barrowleod and CB.

Following months of negotiations, Christian has been appointed to create an exclusive collaboration with the iconic, globally-vaunted venue. He will create and manufacture a new premium range of co-branded products to showcase the venue around the world.

The Highlands-born designer, who now lives in Glasgow, shot to stardom with his innovative belt designs, featuring separate buckles and reversible straps to create multiple looks and options, as well as an all-important 100 per cent sustainable ethos which he now looks to bring to Barrowland merchandising.

Christian’s radical new approach to design saw him cause shockwaves in the fashion world when he exploded into the spotlight back in 2007.

And this groundbreaking first foray into the world of music and merchandising is certain to have the same huge impact, bringing a totally new approach, look and feel to the official branded merchandise – and more – from Scotland’s best live music venue.

Christian said: “Teaming up with Barrowland is incredibly humbling and such a unique opportunity, it is beyond an honour – this is a childhood dream come true.

“Being allowed to change the logo – not on the venue of course, that would be sacrilege – but for our projects, was incredible. Beyond my wildest dreams. To see my name as part of the Barras logo... wow.

“My first memory of Glasgow is my father taking me to the Barras Markets. I remember being mesmerised by the noise, the bustle, the energy and vibrancy of the area.

“The sign always stuck in my head. It’s iconic for a reason. All of that comes together to create the most powerful inspiration I can imagine.

“I have so many ideas and I can’t wait to reveal the first official new CM® @ CB® piece. It’s incredible to be given such creative freedom to take control of this global brand’s consumer art.

“Our shared purpose is to transcend the norms of the industry and elevate merchandise itself to create the next generation of premium global product.

“CM® is a multi-platform creative endeavour, a space for my continuous experimentation, and I am a huge fan of Barrowland. The main medium for me is belts yet I combine ideas of luxury, art, sport and music into my products.

“I understand this was a significant step for the historic venue, a first-of-its-kind. I want to reimagine the idea and ranges of Barrowland merchandise; the result is a modern uniform of the streets, designed in Glasgow and intended for the world. Blending heritage and innovation; to rewrite the script. I want to welcome you all into that world. Come backstage with us.”

Tom Joyes, General Manager at Barrowland said: “We are delighted and excited to work with Christian MacLeod. We are very much looking forward to unveiling his vision - to match his co-branded products with the magic of our venue.”

Christian created a new brand trademark and word mark for the range combining CM and B to make “CB” – see images. And this will appear on all items of merchandise designed by Christian from the venue in future, sold on Christian’s website and in-house at the Barrowland – as well as on their website, which Christian designed, ripping it up to create a fresh, exciting and supremely stylish online hub for fans.

“My history of designing belts has lead to this formula; the CM® + B trademarks fit perfectly to equal the "CB" co-brand mark, something I had been playing about with before I sent the presentation to Barrowland.

“I always had a clear direction ‘if’ I got this collaboration; Barrowland is Glasgow’s masterpiece and strongest asset. It IS music and it’s the perfect brand for me to team up with.

“It seemed not only logical but essential that the official website should sit comfortably alongside my own and fit the essence of our new joint brand, and luckily Tom and the team agreed.”

The collaboration launches today with promotional posters showcasing the new hybrid fashion and music brand CB – signed by Christian on the famously sprung dance floor.

The limited edition posters are available for four weeks only, sold on Christian’s website and in-house at the Barrowland – as well as on their new website. Posters are £15 for two, one showing a stylised image of the iconic sign at the heart of CB, the other a formula which created the new joint logo.

“CM® will release the first limited edition ‘CB’ co-branded product before winter 23 but while you wait in anticipation, pick up some hand-signed posters from our online store, as we celebrate a first-of-its-kind collaboration at the Barrowland.

“Our first piece will drop this winter but we are very much beginning right now, as you can see from the new Barrowland website. The signed posters are collectible pieces themselves and extremely limited, so we hope fans will love them and buy into our new concept for this very special venue.”

Like many of us – it was recently named the best music venue in the UK – Christian is a huge fan of the iconic venue.

“It’s hard to put into words what makes the Barrowland Ballroom so special - it just has magic oozing from everywhere. Look at the history of the place, it is incredible. There is something special lurking in those quirky old corners and nooks, which I am lucky enough to be able to explore.

“But don't take my word for it, I am just a designer; listen to Bowie, Biffy Clyro, Oasis, U2, The Stranglers, Simple Minds, The Clash, The Smiths, Big Country, Muse, Foo Fighters, Franz Ferdinand, Texas, Snow Patrol, SLF, The Vatersay Boys as this is the UK's best music venue - according to the artists.”

The unique deal, bringing in a high-end premium fashion designer to design and sell all new merch for a world-renowned music venue, is truly unique.

Christian added: “My brand playbook consists of the items strategy beyond seasons. Items and not a collection; sustainable and modern; building seasonless icon products.

“Alongside CM® belt drops, you will experience special projects involving sub-brands WORN PROJECT & PLAY, with exclusive product collaborations that incorporate his belt principles and concepts.

“You will see PLAY gigs popping up around Glasgow and Scotland, inspired by the melodies that inspire CM® designs. For me, music is often where ideas start.

“CM® PLAY features fresh talent and established icons with performances and special collaborations; exploring artists who have contributed to the unique art and identity of CM® belts. The Barrowland is the start of it all, fittingly.”

See and buy the posters now at - christianmacleod.com and barrowland.co.uk

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