Retail Detail: 10 outstanding store designs – Part II

Optimist Eyewear Store, Chalkida, Greece

The Optimist Eyewear Store in Chalkida, Greece, skilfully plays on people's expectations. With a stylistic mix of the kind of white cubes which are familiar from the field of exhibitions and minimalist Mediterranean airiness, the 314 architecture studio created a fascinating setting in 2015 which could not be less suggestive of a classical optician's shop.

REDValentino Store, London, UK

In terms of style the REDValentino Store in London, which was completed in 2016, looks like an amalgam of a Wes Anderson film and a resplendent department store of the Twenties. The architect India Mahdavi has created an extremely harmonious environment with the boldest of colours. Pastel shades, gilded details, circular patterns on the floor and a wealth of upholstered and leather furniture produce an ambience of pure luxury.

Sulwhasoo Flagship Store, Seoul, Korea

Identity, travel and memory – these three terms served the architects Neri&Hu as the starting point for the installation which makes an overwhelming impression on visitors to the Sulwhasoo flagship store in Seoul as soon as they enter. The filigree steel structure graphically encloses the interior and runs through the entire building like a system of nerves. As if hypnotised, visitors explore their surroundings in search of the new spaces, niches and views which regularly open up throughout the building.

XL-Muse Bookstore, Yangzhou, China

Although the XL-Muse Bookstore was actually created in 2016, visitors to the shop in Yangzhou, China, will feel as if they have landed in the future. With the aid of curved bookshelves and a black, reflecting floor the Shanghai-based Studio XL-Muse has created a visually all-round space which is light years removed from what we expect of the traditional bookshop.

Saint Laurent Flagship-Store, Tokyo, Japan

Anyone who has studied the life of Yves Saint Laurent will notice that the word "revolutionary" is used again and again. There is no doubt that Hedi Slimane, who repeatedly fascinates us with tasteful designs, is worthy of following in these great footsteps. In 2015 the then Yves Saint Laurent head designer created what was at the time the company's largest flagship store in Tokyo. The interior could be described as stylish flamboyance rich in contrasting materials. The floors and walls are made of marble, and placed between them are seats with black leather upholstery, while mirrors everywhere reflect the space many times over and flashes of colour provided by golden metal palm trees and masks fill the space like an artistic installation.

© Architonic