Photo: Louis Vuitton Greenbelt / Louis Vuitton Website
Cover Photo: Louis Vuitton Greenbelt / Louis Vuitton Website

The aesthetic of a store is essential in creating an inviting atmosphere. See how these stores intertwine their love for retail with interior design

When entering an establishment, one steps into the unique world of the brand and company. With the rise of a more lifestyle focused approach to marketing, retail shops are no longer just for making a simple purchase; they have evolved to be a much more immersive experience. The thoughtfully crafted interiors are designed to make store-goers feel special, to marry a well-plotted flow throughout the space for ease of browsing with an intimate sense of belonging. A shop's interior is an expression of the brands' core values and hopes to create a genuine connection with its clients, making for a seamless and pleasurable experience that one wishes to return to, over and over again.

Here are 7 retail stores that you would love to linger in long after you have done your shopping: 

1. Aesop - Greenbelt 5

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Photo: Aesop Greenbelt / Aesop Website
Above Photo: Aesop Greenbelt / Aesop Website
Tatler Asia
Photo: Aesop Greenbelt / Aesop Website
Above Photo: Aesop Greenbelt / Aesop Website

Clean and chic— a constant theme in the interiors of Aesop stores and their branch in Greenbelt 5 is no exception. It is a place wherein both timelessness and relevance are both embodied. The concept of the store focuses on minimalism, highlighting the purity of their products. Aesop's wall fixtures speak volumes in a muted way through their seamless integrated design. The brand makes their products the focal point of the interior and the way they organise each shelf in a repeated monotonous pattern of their iconic logo and typeface, with monochromatic hues, brings a palpable sense of calm and wellbeing. A lesson to learn from Aesop's store is that “a little goes a long way”, and they have proven it time and time again. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Univers - Greenbelt 3

Step into a world of light with Univers' bright and airy new retail space at Greenbelt 3. With exceptional light fixtures and a primarily white colour palette, the concept store is designed to accentuate every vibrant product, allowing their Avantgarde and fashion forward brands to stand out. By the entrance is a unique spheric installation by James Clar, a light and media artist who is known for his works that deal with the perception of reality. To add to the list of noteworthy pieces, located in the middle of the of the store are Belgian Designer Maarten de Ceulaer's pieces from his “Mutation Series”. The “club chair” and “low organic chair” command attention at the centre of the room. The space captures the expressive individualism that most of their regular clientele is known for. 

3. Louis Vuitton - Greenbelt 3

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Photo: Louis Vuitton Greenbelt / Louis Vuitton Website
Above Photo: Louis Vuitton Greenbelt / Louis Vuitton Website

With a 665 square metre space, situated in the heart of luxury in Makati's Greenbelt 3, the interiors of Louis Vuitton centres on the marriage between Filipino heritage and French savoir-faire. The French fashion house worked closely with Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez and Jessica Kienle Maxwell of the sought-after furniture brand, Philux. Louis Vuitton's flagship store pays homage to Philippine culture through a thoughtful layering of local materials, textiles and art. The use of solihiya woven elements, rattan, and abaca are seen throughout the store, interpreted into contemporary elegance such as through ceiling panels and teardrop lamps. With installations by Bea Valdes, Olivia d'Aboville and Monica Delgado, as well as custom rugs by Iñigo Elizalde, the space melds beautiful Philippine artistry with French luxury resulting in a design that is truly unique in the world and proving that Filipino craftsmanship is also best in class. 

See also: 6 Must-See Designs From Louis Vuitton’s Savoir Faire Showcase

4. Off-White - Greenbelt 3

The artistic design of Off-White's Manila flagship store mirrors the brand's tagline “work in progress”. With its industrial interior, walking in the store is like entering a place under construction— a reflection of the brand's disruptive ethos. The whole store is surrounded by glass except for the marbled wall, which is a uniform in all of their stores and continuing in the deconstructive theme are the metal shelves that one would not normally associate with high-end luxury. However, Off-White is not any ordinary luxe brand— their retail spaces make a point to push forward their core values and continue to rock the boat with their off kilter, edgy yet undeniably chic pieces. 

See also: Anton Tantoco Huang Clues Us in on the Future of Luxury Retail This 2022

5. Ronnie and Joe - SM Aura

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Photo: Ronnie and Joe SM Aura / Ronnie and Joe Website
Above Photo: Ronnie and Joe SM Aura / Ronnie and Joe Website

Panelled with embellished glass doors, the entryway of Ronnie and Joe already sets that Avantgarde energy that their spectacles are known for. The store, designed by Ed Calma, is awash in black, from the door frame to the walls and furniture, making it a perfect canvas for their eyewear to shine. The pops of colour come from the displays. The space is a perfect example in sophisticated and understated retail design where the product is allowed to speak for itself. 

6. Akimbo - Uptown BGC

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Photo: Akimbo Uptown / Akimbo Website
Above Photo: Akimbo Uptown / Akimbo Website

The luxury multi-brand concept store's interior, with its black and beige tones is best described as industrial luxe. Akimbo houses impressive artwork by artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sorayama, and Banksy— which perfectly reflects the street style energy of the brands that they carry. Akimbo have brands like Pleasure, Kenzo and Wood Wood in their store. It is a destination of its own where one can linger and shop beyond clothing. Explore some of their lifestyle brands such as Bearbrick, Medicom and P.E. Nation. 

See also: The Biggest Nike Store in Southeast Asia is Now Open in the Philippines

7. Officine Universelle Buly - Greenbelt 3

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Photo Courtesy of Officine Universelle Buly
Above Photo Courtesy of Officine Universelle Buly
Tatler Asia
Photo Courtesy of Officine Universelle Buly
Above Photo Courtesy of Officine Universelle Buly

With its name engraved in gold lettering on a black marble frieze, the perfumer brand is the epitome of Old World Parisian glamour. Embodying the brand's French identity, the first flagship store in the Philippines of Officine Universelle Buly's teleports you to a luxurious boutique in France. Basking in celadon green walls and dark wood panels, the interior has a warm and inviting ambiance. The floor plan is spacious yet not overwhelming. The glass display cases are neatly organised and pleasing to the eye. The interior allows one's eyes to wander around and take in every detail while experiencing their artisanally crafted products. 

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