Louis Vuitton Island, Singapore
Moshe Safdie's spectacular Marina Bay Sands resort is the gift to Singapore that keeps on giving. As if the hotel, casino, mega-mall, skating rink and rooftop infinity pool weren't enough, now one of two glass-and-steel pavilions Safdie built at the edge of the bay has opened as a Louis Vuitton Island 'maison'.
The label hired longtime Vuitton collaborator (and architectural provocateur) Peter Marino to outfit the Safdie 'crystal' with an interior reminiscent of a luxury cruise liner. Marino has designed all Vuitton's 12 maisons worldwide, but the setting of Singapore's has guaranteed a unique experience for the label-loving Asian market. Visitors can access the flagship (LV's fifth location in the small country) by bridge; by 'travelator', which ascends into the centre of the showroom from an underground tunnel; or, naturally, by private boat.
In the more intimate lower rooms, which house fine jewellery and the men's 'universe', Marino covered the floors and panelled the walls in shipbuilding timber buffed to the nines like a Monte Carlo cruiser. An angular staircase with a nautical balustrade cuts across the place and carries visitors up past a Ruben Toledo cityscape to the sun-splashed upper decks. Here, floating ceilings and window shades angled like trapezoidal sails control the natural light yet maximise the 360-degree views; Marino positioned the showrooms around the core of the building, so shoppers can look out from the perimeter.
There's no shortage of spaces in which to luxuriate: high rollers enjoy exclusive presentations in the private lounge, and a loggia off the mezzanine overlooks the harbour like a ship's upper deck. But Marino, who is perhaps most famous for his exhibitionist's wardrobe of black leather chaps and matching accessories (see Wallpaper* 138), comes into his own in the women's universe, where he's suspended ships' masts from the 11m ceilings like trapeze swings.
Then, over the women's accessories department, he's hung a 15m by 8m twisted-wood sculpture called Upper Strut, by British artist Richard Deacon. Viewed from different perspectives and from different floors, the artwork appears to move dynamically across the soaring expanse. It can make you feel a bit delirious - but, frankly, that's not a bad state of mind for a shopper.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Based in London, Ellen Himelfarb travels widely for her reports on architecture and design. Her words appear in The Times, The Telegraph, The World of Interiors, and The Globe and Mail in her native Canada. She has worked with Wallpaper* since 2006.
-
A vacant Tribeca penthouse is transformed into a bright, contemporary eyrie
A Tribeca penthouse is elevated by Peterson Rich Office, who redesigned it by adding a sculptural staircase and openings to the large terrace
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Antwerp Navigator: an unfussy guide to ‘the diamond capital of the world’
A visit to Antwerp will stimulate and inspire your senses, in the best way. Here’s what we recommend
By Ellen Himelfarb Published
-
AtArchitecture on narratives, uplifting spaces and their search for 'beauty and meaning'
Mumbai's AtArchitecture discusses its methods, ethos and hopes for India's architecture through its portfolio and search for 'beauty and meaning'
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Louis Vuitton drafts contemporary artists to use the house’s silk ‘carré’ scarf as a colourful canvas
In a tradition which dates back to the 1980s, Louis Vuitton has asked five artists to reimagine its silk carré scarf using floral motifs
By Jack Moss Published
-
For A/W 2024, the working uniform gets a futuristic spin
Sculpted silhouettes, unexpected textures and plays on classic outerwear meet in the A/W 2024 collections, providing a twisted new take on city dressing
By Jack Moss Published
-
The breathtaking runway sets of S/S 2025, from beanbag animals to a twisted living room
Wallpaper* picks the best runway sets and show spaces of fashion month, which featured Bottega Veneta’s beanbag menagerie, opulence at Saint Laurent, and artist collaborations at Acne Studios and Burberry
By Jack Moss Published
-
The A/W 2024 menswear collections were defined by a ‘new flamboyance’
Sleek and streamlined ensembles imbued with a sense of performance take centre stage in ‘Quiet on Set’, a portfolio of the A/W 2024 menswear collections photographed by Matthieu Delbreuve
By Jack Moss Published
-
Colourful luggage to brighten up your summer
Eschew grey, navy and black for vibrantly hued luggage that will stand out on the airport belt and add colour to summertime escapes
By Jack Moss Published
-
Women’s Fashion Week S/S 2025: what to expect
Next week sees the arrival of Women’s Fashion Week S/S 2025, with stops in New York, London, Milan and Paris. Here, our comprehensive guide to the month, from Alaïa’s arrival in New York to Alessandro Michele’s Valentino debut
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
‘Things are not what they seem’: Unpacking the S/S 2025 menswear shows
Wallpaper* fashion features editor Jack Moss explores the trends and takeaways from this season’s menswear shows, from an embrace of ‘irrational clothing’ to couture-level craft and eclectic new takes on tailoring
By Jack Moss Published
-
Paris Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2025: Loewe to Dries Van Noten
Wallpaper* picks the best moments of Paris Fashion Week Men’s S/S 2025, from ‘hypnotic precision’ at Loewe to Dries Van Noten’s final show, as well as the latest outings from Pharrell Williams, Kim Jones and Grace Wales Bonner
By Jack Moss Last updated