
Luxury brands constantly hunt for established architects and designers to apply their academic sensibilities to elevate a brand in order to create an impressive design. For brands and designers, the chance to create a cool concept store is the way to brand their name on the global design stage. The world of retail spaces becomes a battlefield to attract customers and with so many brands on the market, it takes bold strokes to prevail from the rest. Every few months it seems a new flagship has opened, and brands are making their mark on the map with a radical and explosive architectural vision.
Design Contract present selection of 5 most amazing luxury retail stores around the world.
Dior store by Peter Marino, Amsterdam – Netherlands
Despite a GDP per Capita that has ranked for many decades as one of the highest in the world, the Dutch have traditionally had a cultural awkwardness towards openly embracing luxury. Contrary to other European countries not hampered by any frugal Calvinist inhibitions, the monobrand luxury fashion store was virtually non-existent. But the seeming disinclination towards the phenomenon which once prevailed started to change with the opening of the Louis Vuitton boutique in Amsterdam in 2002. It was considered an audacious move at the time, but the arrival was very well timed as the perception and appreciation of luxury and fashion had started to slowly shift closer towards the sensibilities of fellow Europeans. More than ten years on, the dutch capital has become the leading hub of high-fashion retail in the Netherlands, and now boasts a respectable number of monobrand luxury fashion stores.
The influx of these brands is ongoing and it has gained new momentum with the recent store opening for yet another illustrious name from the LVMH fold: Dior. Located on the city’s shopping strip for high-end brands, the store occupies two floors and features an interior design by New York-based architect and long-time collaborator Peter Marino. The aesthetic is inspired by the brand’s iconic flagship store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris and oozes the vibe of a luxurious boudoir so similar to feminine Koket style and armchairs. It’s an oasis of pristine white, captured in custom-made moulded fixtures and panelling, and is furnished with a variety of matching display counters.
Harrods ladies shoe salon by Shed, London
Taking inspiration from the Golden Age of Art Deco, sweeping curves and an imposing 30m illuminated ceiling feature give the department a real sense of place whilst directing customers on a journey of beautiful shoes in elegant surroundings.
The prestigious Ladies Shoe Salon in Harrods is a 15,000sqft department carrying 80 brands and a total of 3,500 shoes. Service and experience is key, with bespoke furnishings, golden interior details just like Metropolis console from Boca do Lobo and softly carpeted areas all feminine and luxurious.
Fendi Spring/Summer 2014 windows, New York, Paris, Milan, London
The wispy beauty of organza beckons from the new Fendi store windows, inspired by the Fendi Spring/Summer 2014 Fashion Show Collection. Golden tones, copper and creamy walls create sense of the ultimate luxury.
Hermès Bijenkorf window displays by Studio Kiki van Eijk, Amsterdam
Dutch designer Kiki van Eijk has realized five fantastical window displays at Amsterdam’s luxurious de Bijenkorf department store. An Alice and Wonderland theme is evident in the visualization, though Van Eijk’s primary inspiration came from the idea of ‘the gift of time’ (Hermès’ theme for 2012).
Burberry flagship store at Pacific Place, Hong Kong
The store draws inspiration from the recently-opened Burberry World Live flagship on Regent Street in London and reflects store design concept developed by Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey.
Design Contract will continue to share with you fantastic ideas for your office design, interior design, corporate interior design (see article “10 Best hospitality design projects: Restaurant & Bar Design Award Winners” here), commercial interior design, luxury hotel design (see article “Luxury Hotel Design- International Hotel Awards Winner Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow” here), top design events (see article “North America’s Premier Show- Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2014. Best exhibitors”) and best design projects (see article “The 2014 Architectural Digest 100 top talents in architecture and interior design” here). Don’t forget to subscribe this blog and to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest.