Phillip Plein opens a theatrical showroom in Milan

Exterior — The men's accessories zone of the new Philipp Plein showroom introduces the concept of the ‘box in the box’, exterior structures in waxed black iron or polished stainless steel that frame the merchandise (Image credit: Courtesy of Contrasts Gallery, Shanghai)

A master of showmanship, Philipp Plein is one designer who doesn’t do things by halves. From outlandish catwalk creations to spectacular show sets, Plein is known for his envelope-pushing concepts. So it comes as little surprise that the label’s new Milanese showroom is equally extravagant. Designed by Claudio Pironi of Claudio Pironi & Partners, the new hub spans 3,000 sq m and seven floors.

While the showroom’s palatial proportions provide plenty of room to house all of the Plein lines – which include Philipp Plein Woman, Man, Junior and accessories – the top floor also houses Plein’s own office, which boasts an enviable view of Milan’s Duomo.

The exterior of Philipp Plein's Milanese showroom&nbsp; — *The exterior of Philipp Plein's Milanese showroom*

Describing the space as ‘a sequence of changing perspectives and panoramas’, Pironi has created a number of different zones or departments defined by use of material and colour. ‘The design for the Plein showroom is the expression of the desire to create a different experience for all who visit it,’ explains the architect. ‘These environments, seen both individually and as a whole, communicate a feeling of extreme, audacious luxury by way of a design based on prized materials, artful pairings and creative use of proportions.’

These prized materials include decadent surfaces such as the dazzling white Carrara marble which lines the womenswear department, smoked grey chamered mirrors in menswear and African teak with a high gloss lacquer in the formalwear zone. Naturally, typically Plein-esque interventions abound – a Swarovski-encrusted skull greets visitors in the foyer while a giant golden teddy bear and tall tubes full of sweets keep children entertained in the satin-finish brass-lined junior department.

Showroom interiors — The showroom's interiors were designed by Claudio Pironi, whose firm has realised 65 Philipp Plein projects so far with 28 more yet to come

Skull greets visitors in the foyer — A Swarovski-encrusted skull greets visitors in the foyer

Plein eyewear is on display in a backlit honeycomb methacrylate display case framed in brass

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Philipp Plein website

ADDRESS

Phillip Plein
Via dei Giardini, 21
Milan

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Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.