The Perfect Shop Lighting-A Fashion Must-have!

From the catwalk in Paris to designer stores in Milan, there is one must-have that every fashionista wants – the right lighting. It can accentuate colors, guide the customer’s eye to the latest collections, and more. In the fashion world, light is the ultimate accessory.

Show Me Your True Colors

When it comes to fashion, next season’s colors are a hot topic. So once they finally arrive on the shop floor, it goes without saying that they should look their best. The secret? Top-quality lighting. By installing lamps with a color rendering index (CRI) value of 90 or above, customers will be able to view clothing as close to their “true” color as possible. LEDs are a great option for this, as are high-pressure discharge lamps, which provide a high degree of color fidelity and clear illumination. In terms of color rendering, it is crucial not to overlook changing room lighting, as this often is where customers decide whether to purchase or not to purchase. Warmer (flattering) tones also help here.

 Fashion Lighting     

Speaking of warmer tones, color temperature is also an important aspect to consider. The temperature required will vary according to the type of clothing in question (as well as the desired atmosphere). Leather or warm-colored goods, for example, benefit from warm lighting – 2700-3000 K – whilst suits and black clothing require a much cooler temperature (higher Kelvin value). Accessories and jewelry also look best with a temperature of 4500 K or higher.

In addition to showing off the color of the entire collection, lighting can also be used to highlight particular pieces or parts of the store. Accent lighting illuminates selected items more brightly than the surrounding area. Using directional accent lighting, such as spotlights, allows light to be targeted where required, from mannequins to display tables. Flexible set-ups are essential here, as they enable the direction and angle of accent lighting to be adjusted should displays or shop layout change. Track-mounted luminaires allow lighting to be quickly relocated.

3000k LED Track Light

On location

After clothing comes the design of a store itself. As high street shops face increasing competition from online stores never before has the interior design of a shop been more important to boost customer experience. Here, just like fashion, it’s all about layers. First up is general (or ambient) lighting – the main source of light. Ambient lighting sets the tone or atmosphere of a space. From warm and cozy to cool and edgy, it should reflect the brand and the style of the store. Remember: the required look might change according to time of year, or even time of the day, so installing dimmable lamps or smart lighting can save time and energy. As well as putting clothes in focus (as outlined above), accent lighting can also be applied to highlight architectural features, such as pillars or alcoves. In addition, LED strips can be incorporated into furniture, such as along shelving or behind a display area.

The real fun begins when it comes to decorative lighting: think classic chandelier or a funky modern centerpiece. Such fixtures should fit the overall design or present an intentional stark contrast. Finally, comes task lighting. Essentially this is brighter lighting required in parts of a store where work is carried out, such as the cash register. On one side of the counter, the light should create a feel-good atmosphere and reinforce the customer’s decision to buy. On the other side, the light must be glare-free and allow shop assistants to focus on their work without becoming fatigued.