The signage isn’t strictly necessary, because more tellingly, the underside of the awning is bright, bright red. It’s a very particular red, and in this most simple detail the few square feet beneath the canopy have just become the sexiest section of sidewalk in Florida. This is, obviously, Christian Louboutin’s new Miami flagship store.
The design, by Eric Clough of New York architects 212box, sees the outside wall planted with orchids, and inside multicoloured hosiery is strung up like an erotic spiderweb (if you can imagine such a thing), in an installation by Madeleine Berkhemer across the entrance hall. Here, one-way mirrors allow voyeurs to watch women try on the famous red-soled shoes as they lounge on luxurious patchwork furniture by Bokja.
When Louboutin said to Clough that he wanted to create 'a whole new language' for the brand through the design of the store, however, he might not have expected to be taken quite so literally. Clough invented a code of hieroglyphics, symbols and Braille, which, intricately carved onto tiny wooden tiles, entirely lines the space and creates an other-worldly exotic atmosphere.
It’s beautiful, but it’s not as if we really needed the extra encouragement, frankly – when it comes to sole searching, we’ve been seeing red for some time anyway.
Multicoloured hosiery adorns the entrance hall
The shop was designed by Eric Clough of New York architects 212box
Louboutin wanted 'a whole new language' created for the brand through the design of the store
Christian Louboutin
ADDRESS
155 NE 40TH Street
Miami
-
ICON 4x4 goes EV, giving their classic Bronco-based restomod an electric twistThe EV Bronco is ICON 4x4’s first foray into electrifying its range of bespoke vintage off-roaders and SUVs
-
‘Dressed to Impress’ captures the vivid world of everyday fashion in the 1950s and 1960sA new photography book from The Anonymous Project showcases its subjects when they’re dressed for best, posing for events and celebrations unknown
-
Inside Camperlab’s Harry Nuriev-designed Paris store, a dramatic exercise in contrastThe Crosby Studios founder tells Wallpaper* the story behind his new store design for Mallorcan shoe brand Camperlab, which centres on an interplay between ‘crushed concrete’ and gleaming industrial design
