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In the heart of Paris, Acne Studios has rewritten the rules of retail with its flagship store at 219 rue Saint-Honoré. This iconic fashion brand has breathed new life into its space, creating an environment that seamlessly melds classic Parisian charm with the bold, counter-cultural spirit for which Acne Studios is renowned.
A Monument to Design
Acne Studios’ Paris flagship store is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The design, masterminded by Barcelona’s esteemed architectural studio, Arquitectura-G, transforms the boutique into a work of art that blurs the boundaries between history and modernity.
The exterior façade is clad in Saint Maximin stone, a golden-beige limestone sourced from a nearby French quarry. This stone, deeply ingrained in the history of Parisian architecture, adorns the walls, floors, and columns, enveloping the boutique in an aura of grandeur and timelessness.
The Parisian Connection
The vision for the new store draws inspiration from an unlikely source – the Rålis skate park beneath a bridge in Stockholm. Acne Studios’ Creative Director, Jonny Johansson, envisioned the boutique as a secret society, akin to the sub-culture thriving beneath the arches of a bridge. This concept infuses the store with an unexpected, underground charm that’s as captivating as it is avant-garde.
A Play of Light and Shadow
One of the most striking features of the flagship store is the way it plays with light. The preservation and stripping back of the original floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to cascade through the space. This design choice results in an open, double-height interior that seamlessly connects the two floors.
The lighting fixtures, designed by French artist Benoit Lalloz, form elegant, wave-like arrangements that create a sense of fluidity, contrasting beautifully with the store’s solid stone columns. This interplay of light and shadow adds depth and dimension to the space, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
Artful Furnishings
The interior furnishings continue the theme of artistic contrast. Hand-made bespoke metal rails, crafted by Arquitectura-G, line the path to the upper level, providing a visual counterpoint to the store’s angular stairs. British designer Max Lamb contributes soft, organic-shaped furniture, including black leather seating and hand-dyed fabric display units and tills. These elements offset the store’s sharp architectural lines and add a touch of comfort to the shopping experience.
All images in this article are courtesy of Acne Studios.
