OMA drapes wooden curtains in Maison Ullens flagship store

Dutch architecture studio OMA installed tessellated wood curtains as part of its design of the Paris flagship store for French fashion label Maison Ullens (+ slideshow).

OMA Maison Ullens flagship store interior Paris

The curtains at the Maison Ullens boutique are made from tiny tessellated triangles of wood and were created by German designer Elisa Strozyk, who has previously made a rug made from wood-veneer offcuts.

OMA Maison Ullens flagship store interior Paris

Maison Ullens’ first Paris store was designed closely with the brand’s founder to ensure the interior complimented the attire on show.

OMA Maison Ullens flagship store interior Paris

“The project was developed through a close and personal relationship with Mrs Ullens,” OMA partner David Gianotten told Dezeen. “Therefore the interior design of the store became a good combination of the modern architectural style of OMA and the brand philosophy of Maison Ullens.”

OMA Maison Ullens flagship store interior Paris

The designers divided the space into public and private areas using a wall covered in ivory-coloured onyx stone. In the entrance space, a single statement garment is hung from a brass hook on a section of the onyx wall below the brand’s logo.

OMA Maison Ullens flagship store interior Paris

Golden panels line the doorway between the two display rooms on one side of the wall. Garments are on show in the first central area and accessories are presented in the other room.

OMA Maison Ullens flagship store interior Paris

The tones in these spaces are muted to show off the clothing and so the interior remains appropriate for future fashion trends. “The colours of the materials were kept neutral, except for the brass accent,” said Gianotten. “Therefore the collection and the interior will shape and re-invent the identity of the space based on the fashion seasons.”

OMA Maison Ullens flagship store interior Paris

Surrounded by dark wood walls, the area at the back of the store is divided into a series of small spaces that contain a fitting room, a small bar and a lounge for entertaining private clients. The store opened this week on Rue de Marignan in central Paris, to coincide with the city’s haute couture fashion week.

OMA Maison Ullens flagship store interior Paris

Last month Viktor & Rolf opened its first flagship store in Paris, which is covered in grey felt to muffle the noise of browsing shoppers.

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Belgravia boutique reveals evening gowns through bespoke metal screens

Ammar Basheir and Flower Michelin Limited have designed a retail interior for a west London boutique where garments are displayed within a series of bespoke metal screens (+ slideshow).

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

Ammar Basheir and London studio Flower Michelin‘s design for On Motcomb within a grade II listed building is hidden from the external facade, concealed by golden ornaments in the window.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

“Once inside, the evening wear is gradually revealed and unveiled, glimpsed through a series of curtain-like bespoke laser-cut metal screens and powder-coated fins,” said the architects.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

On the ground floor, small enclosures within the boutique are created by the curtain-like metal strips, within which gowns are hung from rectangular rails suspended from the ceiling.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

The screens also cover the walls and partially reveal ornate wallpaper that references the era of the building.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

A staircase covered in sections of antique mirror leads the visitor to the basement. Full-height mirrors lean against dressing room walls, which are subtly illuminated.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

The range of lighting levels throughout the store were designed in collaboration with specialist lighting designer Stephen Cannon-Brookes.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

Photography by Matt Clayton.

Here is some more information from the architects:


Flower Michelin Ltd: Completed Project ON Motcomb

ON Motcomb is set in a double shop-unit over the Ground and Basement floors of a Grade II Listed Building within the Belgravia Conservation Area and the Grosvenor Estate.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

The streetscape of the property frontages are part of a prestigious destination shopping street and held in high regard by Westminster and Grosvenor, who wish to preserve and uphold their character, where possible.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

Design concept: the proposal encloses the interior from the external façade, deliberately restricting the visual connection between the ‘street’ and the interior.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

Once inside, the evening wear is gradually revealed and unveiled, glimpsed through a series of curtain-like bespoke laser-cut metal screens and powder coated fins.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

The gowns are displayed behind these screens against a backdrop of ornate wallpaper (that pays homage to detailed plasterwork of a previous era), wall washed with recessed lighting details.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited

This concealed perimeter lighting allows scene control through a range of lighting levels, designed in collaboration with specialist Lighting Designer, Stephen Cannon-Brookes, with the ceiling detail also cleverly concealing air conditioning vents.

Ground Floor: Mannequins and gown display areas.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited
Ground floor plan – click for larger image

Stair well leading to Basement: Grey antique mirror wraps the stairwell walls, with wall wash lighting details to the landing and grey smoked glass balustrade infill.

Basement: Two elegant and spacious Dressing Rooms with day and night lighting settings, Guest seating area, Tailor’s space, Office, Kitchenette, WC, Storage.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited
Basement plan – click for larger image

An interesting discussion on the direction the ‘high-street’ shopping experience might take.

Challenge of site’s small scale with addition of Westminster Planning / Listed Building and Grosvenor Licence constraints.

On Motcomb boutique by Flower Michelin Limited
Perspective and diagrams showing screens – click for larger image

ON Motcomb ‘brand’ presents the first boutique in London to carry this exclusive edit of evening wear straight from International Catwalks (London, Paris, Milan and New York) and from the very best Designers and emerging brands.

Architect: Flower Michelin Limited
Interior Designer: Ammar Basheir
Client: Auxerre: ‘ON Motcomb’
Main Contractor: Oracle Interiors
Lighting Designer: Cannon-Brookes Lighting Design

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through bespoke metal screens
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Ink, Beijing: The Hong Kong-based men’s concept store brings its anti-commercial, underground yet high fashion labels to Beijing

Ink, Beijing


It’s easy to imagine how important the concept of VIP is in a country where individuality is easily lost in an immense multitude of people. Among Chinese men, the older generations are still quite status-oriented and fashion is often simply a tool used…

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Las Chicas boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos

This boutique interior by Brazilian architect Guilherme de Vasconcelos features a red faceted wall that references the angular qualities of polished gems (+ slideshow).

Las Chicas Boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos

Vasconcelos of GUIV Arquitetura designed the interior of the Las Chicas womenswear boutique that stocks Brazilian brands in Belo Horizonte.

Las Chicas Boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos

The faceted wall houses a small illuminated shelf for products. Made of triangular MDF polygons, it is finished in a red lacquer. “The project strategy is inspired by the process of lapping and polishing gems, which transforms raw elements of nature in precious jewellery with angular faces and bright colours,” said the architect.

dezeen_Las Chicas Boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos_

Large full-height mirrored doors hide two dressing rooms.

Las Chicas Boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos

The white counter follows a similar triangular shape to the faceted wall and sits in front of a wall patterned with hexagons.

Las Chicas Boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos

Women’s garments are hung from tubular stainless steel supports.

Las Chicas Boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos

Other retail interiors that have featured on Dezeen include a Stuttgart boutique featuring a textured wall of 22,000 wooden sticks and an extension of Paul Smith’s London boutique with a cast-iron facade.

See more architecture and design in Brazil »
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See more information from the architect:


Las Chicas Boutique intends to be a reference space for fashion in Belo Horizonte and seeks to enhance the Brazilian design offering clothing and accessories of consecrated national brands to the female audience. Located at the traditional neighborhood of Lourdes, in a street with high pedestrian flow and moderated commerce, the Las Chicas Boutique also promotes periodically vernissages and meetings for professionals and connoisseurs of the fashion world.

Las Chicas Boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos
Plan – click for larger image

The project strategy is inspired by the process of lapping and polishing gems which transforms raw elements of nature in precious jewellery with angular faces and bright colours. The objective was to integrate a large ambient, clear and enlightened and impactful elements with angular faces and well-defined lines, to capture the attention of pedestrians passing through the region.

In that sense, the faceted panel is the key piece of the store, not only for its scale, but also due to the function it takes as space articulator. Made by triangular polygons in MDF, each one different from another, and finishing in pink matte lacquer, the panel continues to the back of the store and hides two dressing rooms behind the mirrors.The counter uses the same language, with faceted geometry and offers space for two people to work comfortably.

Las Chicas Boutique by Guilherme de Vasconcelos
Section – click for larger image

The clothing exhibition is made by four tubular stainless steel supports. Accessories are exposed on the bench just below the plow, at the sideboard and in panel niche. The layout adopted allows the non-linear flow of customers, which can freely explore the space of the store, and on events days enables the rapid reconfiguration of the environment.

Architect: Guilherme de Vasconcelos (GUIV Arquitetura)
Photos: Gabriel Castro
Start of project: September 2012
Building Completion: March 2013
Built area: 130m²
Building Company: Gilberto Lacerda & Cia.
Woodworking: Marcenaria Monte Santo

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Guilherme de Vasconcelos
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MRQT Boutique by ROK

A textured wall of 22,000 wooden sticks has been installed in this Stuttgart boutique by Swiss architecture firm ROK (+ slideshow).

dezeen_MRQT Boutique by ROK_1

The minimal interior by Rippmann Oesterle Knauss (ROK) for menswear store MRQT features white walls and a concrete floor to contrast with the wall of wooden rods.

dezeen_MRQT Boutique by ROK_2

Extending in various directions and to different lengths, the beech wood sticks create the illusion of a single flowing form.

dezeen_MRQT Boutique by ROK_6

CNC-drilled holes define the direction of each stick.

dezeen_MRQT Boutique by ROK_9

A range of menswear is hung on metal rails against the backdrop of the textured wall, which references moving fabric. “The installation refers to the flowing forms and delicate texture of textiles and cloth,” said the architects.

dezeen_MRQT Boutique by ROK_3

A full-height mirror lit from behind hangs in the centre of the feature wall.

dezeen_MRQT Boutique by ROK_10

Display stands and shelving are all made from the same beech wood as the sticks.

Other shop interiors featured on Dezeen include a shoe store furnished with wooden pallets, ropes and tyres and Zaha Hadid’s Milanese shoe boutique for footwear designer Stuart Weitzman.

MRQT Boutique by ROK
Section (click for larger image)

See more retail interior designs »
See more architecture and design in Stuttgart »

MRQT Boutique by ROK
Plan (click for larger image)

Photography is by Daniel Stauch.

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by ROK
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Word of Mouth: Belgrade: Industrial spaces and unused barges are transformed into floating bars, fashion boutiques and more in the Serbian capital

Word of Mouth: Belgrade


by Emily Millett Warehouses, barges, malls and mansions, you name it—if it’s derelict and abandoned, Belgrade’s next generation is reclaiming it and breathing new life into the Serbian capital. What better symbol of a city on the brink of rebirth than the evidence…

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Word of Mouth: San Sebastian: Europe’s best city beach, the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, pintxo bars and designer boutiques

Word of Mouth: San Sebastian


This summer saw all kinds of action in San Sebastian, Spain, and those festivities aren’t over yet. With July’s International Jazz Festival, the Semana Grande with parties, bullfights and…

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Interview: Scott Meleskie of Clark Street Mercantile: The humble start to a versatile lifestyle shop focused on Montreal’s discerning creative community

Interview: Scott Meleskie of Clark Street Mercantile


Opening just over a month ago, Clark Street Mercantile is a modest boutique in Montreal aimed at the discerning gentleman. Clothing, footwear, apothecary, pens and paper, magazines, accessories, artwork, bags, blankets, tonic and grenadine, razors—the inventory…

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Interview: Michael Chen of Aloha Sunday: The co-founder of the San Diego-based boutique discusses the contemporary men’s market and gives us an exclusive preview of their F/W ’13 lookbook

Interview: Michael Chen of Aloha Sunday


It’s potentially easier to spot a killer whale off San Diego’s coast than to find a one-stop men’s clothing store that features up-and-coming local designers—at a reasonable price. Seeing the void in the market in the area,…

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Interview: Mirjam Vogt of Magazin: The co-founder of the Amsterdam design boutique discusses the strengths of Dutch design

Interview: Mirjam Vogt of Magazin


With one large window facing the street, Magazin looks out onto one of Amsterdam’s newest design districts. The artisanal shops lining the long street of Czaar Peterstraat seem to have appeared almost overnight, although locals will…

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