Hussein Chalayan opens his first flagship in London
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

'The spatial design cannot wrestle with the content for importance,' says fashion designer Hussein Chalayan of his eponymous label's first ever retail space, which opens today in London’s Mayfair. 'The important thing is the creation of an environment, a backdrop to the clothes, rather than over-designing the space.'
True to his word, Chalayan's flagship is a subtle, low-key space that reflects the brand's philosophy and ethos. Designed in partnership with his long-term collaborator, architect Zoe Smith (opens in new tab) (of ZCD Architects) – who previously worked on the designer's exhibitions and concessions in Tokyo, Paris and London – the store, he tells us, 'is about creating a space within a space and a new perspective within an existing perspective'.
Upon entering, a liminal zone that marks the transition between street and shop is defined by triangular black floor tiles laid out in a backgammon pattern, that sit in contrast to the matching white tiles beyond.
A sloping black steel frame that wraps around three sides of the space lends the store an intriguing, distorted sense of perspective, while also providing spatial definition and a display rail in one simple gesture. Other features continue the theme of transition: the strip of gravel that lies in between the rail and the wall; the black hull of a boat placed in the centre of the store that can be used as a display or dinner table; and a digit counter display set into a simple black cash desk that serves as a reminder of the endlessness of time.
'We are thrilled to open our first flagship store in London,' says Chalayan, describing the store's W1 locale as an 'up and coming spot' in a new art district within Mayfair. 'For me [London is] the most important metropole in the world, where I grew up and to which I owe my development as a designer.'
Designed by Chalayan in partnership with his long-term collaborator, architect Zoe Smith (ZCD Architects), the store, Chalayan tells us, ’is about creating a space within a space and a new perspective within an existing perspective’
A liminal zone that marks the transition between street and shop is defined by triangular black floor tiles laid out in a backgammon pattern, that sit in contrast to the matching white tiles beyond
’The spatial design cannot wrestle with the content for importance,’ adds Chalayan. ’The important thing is the creation of an environment, a backdrop to the clothes, rather than over-designing the space’
A digit counter display set into a simple black cash desk serves as a reminder of the endlessness of time
’We are thrilled to open our first flagship store in London,’ adds Chalayan, describing the store’s W1 locale as an ’up and coming spot’ in a new art district within Mayfair. ’For me [London is] the most important metropole in the world, where I grew up and to which I owe my development as a designer’
INFORMATION
ZCD Architects and Leon Chew
ADDRESS
Chalayan (opens in new tab)
2 Bourdon Street
W1K 3PA, London
-
Women’s Fashion Week A/W 2023: what to expect
Look forward to Women’s Fashion Week A/W 2023 with our guide to this season’s shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Meet Tyler Hobbs, the breakout star of generative art
Tyler Hobbs is making waves with abstract, algorithm-assisted art that harnesses code as a creative medium. We speak to the American artist ahead of two physical exhibitions in New York and London
By Nick Compton • Published
-
Triennale pays tribute to Angelo Mangiarotti with extensive retrospective
‘Angelo Mangiarotti: When Structures Take Shape’ (until 23 April 2023) is an extensive retrospective of the Milanese architect's work, with contributions from Renzo Piano and UniFor
By Maria Cristina Didero • Published
-
LA confidential: Phillip Lim’s inaugural concept store is a triumphant homecoming
By Ali Morris • Last updated
-
Moscow mule: Aquazzura and Casa Do Passadiço paint the town red
By Ali Morris • Last updated
-
Loewe celebrates its past, present and future with a new flagship in Madrid
By Siska Lyssens • Last updated
-
Eytys' striking new Stockholm flagship is an ode to brutalism
By Ali Morris • Last updated
-
Leather system: bags of style at Tsatsas’ new Frankfurt showroom
By Yoko Choy • Last updated
-
House warming: Want Les Essentiels opens its first global boutique in NY
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated
-
London concept store LN-CC peels off its winter coat to reveal its latest Gary Card-conceived skin
By Katrina Israel • Last updated
-
Carlo Brandelli constructs a new flagship and vision for Kilgour on Savile Row
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated