Selfridges opens pop-up ‘joke shop’ complete with designer products

The latest concept to take over the Selfridges Corner Shop pop-up space is an unusual one, with the luxury retailer opening The Joke Shop.

We’re told that “from slapstick to lipstick, good gags and even better bags… there’s silliness in store at Selfridges London”.

It’s an interesting idea and really is a bona fide joke shop with visitors able to buy whoopee cushions, bendy pencils, fake parking tickets, canned air, fake poo and much more. There are even pocket money purchase starting at 99p, which must be something of a low for product prices at the store. 

But this being a piece of valuable real estate in the heart of one of London’s most prominent department stores that sells luxury fashion and beauty, there’s more to it that’s likely to resonate with the Selfridges shopper.

There are “tongue-in-chic pieces by serious designers”. Think a Judith Leiber French Fries crystal-embellished clutch bag at £5.760; a Puppets and Puppets leather shoulder bag embellished with a chocolate chip cookie at £400; a Nata Concept Store £18 candle that looks like a piece of pasta; £25 T-shirts emblazoned with the words “I went to Selfridges and all I got was this lousy T-shirt”; plenty of Anya Hindmarch pieces such as a £175 KitKat or Rolo keyring, and more.

The retailer said the Joke Shop Manager will be on duty each weekend to introduce visitors “to the silliness we have in store. He’ll be joined by a member of the Marvin’s Magic team who will be there to demonstrate new tricks and pranks”. 

Selfridges Unlocked Keyholders will “get the first (and last) laugh” by using their Selfridges Key to unlock exclusive access to the manager’s office – “an immersive room filled with hidden gags and stunts. And once you’ve used your Key to gain access, you can feature in one of our iconic Selfridges windows”.

In the pop-up and elsewhere in the store (on the Art Block in the Accessories Hall), there’s Mel Brimfield’s ‘Slapstick Generator’ sculptures. One features a giant boulder, “hanging perilously above our Concierge Desk”. We’re told “you can stand beneath it to take a photo (cue nervous laughter)”.

The Joke Shop is “open for funny business” until 30 March.