Cover Explore these architectural stores designed by luxury brands; The hypnotic Gucci Eye on display at Gucci Garden in the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia (Photo: Gucci Website)
Explore these architectural stores designed by luxury brands; The hypnotic Gucci Eye on display at Gucci Garden in the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia (Photo: Gucci Website)
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Explore how Gucci, Prada and other luxury brands create architectural masterpieces that honour history in style
Luxury brands seamlessly blend architectural innovation with their rich heritage, creating global spaces that balance beauty and function. These flagship stores are more than retail venues; they are cultural landmarks honouring historical contexts while showcasing cutting-edge design.
From Fendi’s restoration of Rome’s Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana to Hermès’ Crystal House in Amsterdam, these luxury brands reimagine materials, preserve iconic elements, and craft spaces that embody their identity, innovation, and timeless elegance.
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Lemaire in Tokyo
Lemaire is one of the luxury brands that recently unveiled its first Japanese boutique in Tokyo. Turning a 1960 residence in the Ebisu district of Shibuya into a serene retail sanctuary, this space retains its original layout. It blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with Lemaire’s understated elegance.
Features such as handmade bamboo blinds, sliding Shoji paper screens and traditional Japanese plaster create a harmonious atmosphere, complemented by an adjacent garden. The living room is the boutique’s centrepiece, where a reproduction of Freud’s iconic couch takes the spotlight. It is crafted from vintage kilim rugs, handwoven wadded panels and abaca mats.
Gucci in Bologna
Guccification at Gucci Garden (Photo: Gucci Website)
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Having formerly housed the Gucci Museo, the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia now showcases the multifaceted Gucci Garden. Designed by former creative director Alessandro Michele, the multifaceted venue features a boutique, the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura—helmed by the three-Michelin-star chef himself—and the Gucci Garden Galleria exhibition curated by Maria Luisa Frisa. The Galleria spans two floors, celebrating Gucci’s rich archives while presenting a fresh narrative through themed rooms showcasing old campaigns, retro objects and iconic craftsmanship.
Visitors embark on an immersive journey beginning with ‘Guccification,’ exploring the evolution of the Double G motif and playful reinterpretations of the brand name. The experience is enriched by a red-velvet cinema showcasing exclusive films and the sensory allure of the Gucci Eye, the emblem of this hypnotic space.
Prada in Shanghai
Above Intricate wood craftsmanship at Prada Rong Zhai (Photo: Prada Website)
Above Intricate wood craftsmanship at Prada Rong Zhai (Photo: Prada Website)
Intricate wood craftsmanship at Prada Rong Zhai (Photo: Prada Website)
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Following a meticulous six-year restoration, Prada Rong Zhai was opened in Shanghai. This cultural space reflects Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli’s admiration for Chinese heritage, blending superb craftsmanship and architectural preservation. Prada Rong Zhai stands as a dialogue between Milan and Shanghai, honouring the cultural legacy of its design.
In 2004, the Jing’an district was deemed a cultural heritage district, situating this magnificent home in a rich historical context. In line with homeowner Rong Zongjing’s designs from 1918, the Prada team restored the house to its original glory while infusing it with vibrant charm.
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Hermes in Amsterdam
Named the ‘Crystal Houses’ project, MVRDV designed the Hermès flagship store in Amsterdam by transforming familiar materials into unexpected forms. Its standout feature is a transparent façade made of glass bricks, stretching upward before transitioning seamlessly into traditional terracotta.
This unique design faithfully recreates the original structure on Amsterdam’s iconic PC Hooftstraat while preserving the street’s historic character. Glass bricks, window frames and architraves echo the area’s vernacular, making the Hermès store a striking addition to Amsterdam’s architectural landscape while spotlighting one of the world's most famous luxury brands.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
