The art of retail

The new store is located on East 67th Street.
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Meanwhile, white polished stainless steel panelling leads from the entrance and winds itself around the ground floor, promoting an element of angular simplicity. Double-velvet upholstered boxes displaying accessories are suspended in front of the panelling.

Along the opposite wall, a long, undulating, Marni-signature hanging display rail runs from the entrance up to a staircase leading to the second floor. Set into the back of the ground floor space are circular-tiered display tables in fibreglass, which are topped with shoes. Abstract sunglass-wearing display heads line an accessories wall.

Branching out

The second floor opens onto a large room with petal-like, polished stainless steel benches, clear Plexiglas display cases and additional stainless steel display rails. Sprouting upwards from the main to the second floor, a giant, mirror-polished stainless steel ‘tree’ branches out through a second, equally dramatic, trapezoidal opening.

“A feeling of space is created by the double-height entrance and by the trapezoidal opening, through which the Marni stainless steel tree grows, carrying the collection.”

In its ‘shadows’, an oval railing encircles the room and displays the ready-to-wear collection. An intimate ante-room at the back houses the lingerie collection on fibreglass hangers and busts in recessed leather boxes.

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Artistic, angular simplicity and geometric minimalism are the phrases that best capture the essence of the space, Castiglioni explained. But there were significant challenges in creating a minimalist space that would not come across as too cold, she noted. “The challenge was to create a minimalist design which would not appear sterile and unwelcoming,” she said.

“We decided to cover the floor with a soft wool carpet in different tones of lilac throughout the store, which contrasts harmoniously with the coolness of the abstract shapes.”

Echoing the design signature of Marni’s clothing lines, the interiors of the second New York store play with contrasting materials, blending steel with leather, fibreglass and velvet.

“Identical to my approach to the creation of collections, where I continuously experiment with different fabrics and the juxtaposition of their texture, the boutique presents a wide range of materials that stand in contrast. Polished stainless steel, natural fibreglass, leather upholstered display boxes or covered in double velvet, as well as large Barrisol light.”

The end result is a space where every element contributes in creating a complete, holistic experience, Castiglioni explained. “I rather view the store’s design as a path that leads you through and tells you of the collection. All different parts and perspectives overlap and mingle, contributing to the whole vision of the boutique.”

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