A part of a multi-year renovation of its New York flagship retailer, vogue model Louis Vuitton has hidden its building with a “baggage” facade and moved into a short lived retailer that includes sculptures designed by OMA.
Louis Vuitton lined its flagship at East 57th Avenue and fifth Avenue in a facade modeled after the model's signature trunk, whereas concurrently opening a short lived location across the nook that includes sculptures developed with OMA associate Shohei Shigematsu, who rises by an atrium.
Designed by Louis Vuitton's in-house group, the bags facade wraps fully across the ongoing building on the New York flagship. It appears to be like like six grey trunks of various sizes, stacked in descending order.
In response to the group, the design pays homage to the model's Trianon Grey material, a light-weight grey textile that dates again to the 19th century.
Particulars comparable to handles, locks, rivets and silver hardware are additionally represented on the facade, with the group noting that the most important of the handles “weighs 5,000 kilos.”
“It’s completed with the basic particulars synonymous with Louis Vuitton's savoir-fare, together with handles, signature locks and silver hardware produced from laser-cut chromed metal,” stated Louis Vuitton.
“3D scans of actual hard-sided Louis Vuitton trunks have been used to create locks and latches, and metal corners have been welded by hand. The stack has 840 rivets, every engraved with the “Louis Vuitton” moniker.
Lighting strips run alongside every perimeter of the trunk, whereas black and brown stripes signify the leather-based lining.
Whereas building takes place on the flagship, the model has moved its retail operations to a five-story constructing across the nook at 6 East 57th Avenue, which comprises 4 flooring inhabited by a chocolate retailer, menswear and girls and the debut of the mannequin. the model's first cafe within the US.
The constructing's exterior structure and inside ground plan stay unchanged based on the group, though it’s now outfitted in a cloth palette of sunshine wooden, cream and brown hues inside an uncovered concrete construction.
4 towering 16-meter-tall sculptures developed by Shigematsu stand within the foyer atrium, equally modeled after “iconic” torsos.
“The trunks are workshop-built to precise product specs and stacked to lift shifting, counterbalancing, twisting and zig-zagging shapes, exhibiting power and lightness,” the group stated.
“Every is additional distinguished by way of completely different Louis Vuitton supplies – historic stripes, basic Monogram canvas, white Damier and a metallic monogram – which have redefined the timeless piece from the previous to the current.”
Elsewhere within the retailer, furnishings items from the close by flagship 'reappear' in keeping with the model's 'dedication to round creativity' and have been combined with new items from designers comparable to Carlo Mollino, Charlotte Perriand, Christophe Delcourt and Pierre Augustin rose
Outsized sculptures of a giraffe and ostriches and a display with Louis Vuitton motifs cowl the facade of the constructing, which has additionally been lined with vibrant exterior pendants.
The flagship might “probably” double the shop's measurement, based on New York Yimby, whereas the short-term location will shut as soon as the renovation is full.
“Between the charming retailer areas and the whimsical world of the cafe, Louis Vuitton 57th Avenue NYC is a short lived retailer that aspires to depart a long-lasting impression on New Yorkers and vacationers alike,” stated the group.
Louis Vuitton typically turns to luminaries of the design and structure trade for its initiatives.
Frank Gehrey not too long ago designed a watch and purse for the model, whereas the North American head of guardian firm LVMH not too long ago spoke about an general dedication to sustainability.
Picture courtesy of Louis Vuitton until in any other case famous.