Tuesday 21 May 2013

Christian Louboutin Opens New Boutique within Harrods





Luxury French designer Christian Louboutin has opened his first standalone boutique within iconic
London department store, Harrods. The 140 metres sq space, which sits adjacent to the shoe boudoir,
offers a wide selection from the women’s shoe and bag collections.

Critically acclaimed product and interior designer Lee Broom was commissioned to design a store concept
drawing inspiration from its surroundings, as is customary for the brand. Whilst retaining signature
Christian Louboutin interior features including its red carpet and niched alcoves on which the product is
presented. The concept captures the spirit of Christian Louboutin combined with a quintessentially British
twist to celebrate Louboutin’s theatricality whilst offering the customer a unique shopping experience.

London landmarks are skilfully incorporated into the space; an intricate white fanned arch-way entrance
reminiscent of Covent Garden Opera House creates an impressive shop window whilst traditionally styled
white street lamps act as shoe display areas throughout the space. Wall displays of bespoke tiles, evocative of the original London Underground walls, act as a colourful backdrop for collections which are perched
upon shelving fabricated from illuminated light boxes. At the rear, paying homage to Big Ben, a giant
etched glass clock face illuminates the space against the arched windows of the store.

Divided into two distinct areas, the private shopping room is revealed behind a mirrored doorway. The use
of the brands signature red within soft furnishings and the tiled wall combined with the low lounge seating
creates an intimate space. A wall created entirely of cabinet shelves in a warm wood, peppered with antique
handle details, displays a selection of exceptional archive pieces from across the designers career lit by the
celebrated Crystal Bulbs from the Lee Broom collection.

Elsewhere, signature pieces from the Lee Broom collection were selected by Louboutin to furnish the space
including items from the Salon range, re-worked in patterned materials and a new colour palette of deep
purples, greys and dusky pinks. Broom’s Tile Lamp echoes the tiled wall featured throughout the space.
Whilst creating a contemporary space, the concept incorporated the traditional architecture of Harrods,
original features such as the moulded staccato detailed ceiling evokes a sense of grandeur and drama in the
space.

The launch collection in store will include exclusive styles for Harrods with Spring Summer pieces taking
inspiration from this season’s transparency theme, including the red carpet worthy Au Hameau in rouge
and the popular Un Bout. Highlights for Autumn Winter in store include a variety of styles on the single
sole including the elegant So Kate in crocodile, the kitten heeled and bow bedecked Gruotta in a luxurious
Grenadine and Hugetta ankle boot in rich bronze all available only within Christian Louboutin at Harrods









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