Located in a 1,097 sq ft space on Moscow’s Petrovka Street, a strip famous for its theatres, Aquazzura’s new Russian outpost is certainly full of drama. Behind the building’s original exterior, created in 1874–76 by Russian architect Boris Freidenberg, the Florentine footwear brand’s signature black and white stripes are let loose. A defining feature of all five of its existing global stores, the stripes are a nod to the black and white pillars found in the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, the brand’s birth city.
In Moscow, they have been given a Russian makeover. Joined by scarlet hexagonal tiles that adorn the store’s arched ceiling and back wall, the bold stripes form archways and extend across the floor, transforming into a mesmerising woven pattern inspired by the intricate inlaid marble floors found in Saint Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum.
The bold new design is the work of sisters Cláudia and Catarina Soares Pereira of Casa Do Passadiço, who already have multiple Aquazzura interiors under their belts, including the luxury label’s Florence, London, Miami and Las Vegas stores, as well as its New York and Milan showrooms.
Black and white striped furnishings feature in all five of Aquazurra’s existing global stores
‘Our main concern was to translate the amazing architecture of the city and to bring its mood into the shop,’ say the Portuguese duo, who have completed over 200 projects during their 20 years in business. ‘We fell in love with the Russian architecture and wanted to reproduce this feeling in the details.’
A palette of rare marbles, golden brass, velvet, linen, handwoven carpet, glossy lacquers and decorative plasters for the ceilings and walls. An important opening for the six-year-old brand, which is already enormously popular in Russia, the Moscow store forms part of a wider expansion plan spearheaded by founder and creative director Edgardo Osorio, who hopes to turn Aquazzura into a global accessories brand with stores in every major city worldwide within the next ten years.
The store features black and white striped furnishings inspired by Basilica of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, the birthplace of the brand
Hexagonal tiles feature in the new space, taking inspiration from the marble floors in Saint Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum
Hand woven carpet, velvet and bright lacquers also feature within the space, the original interior created by the Russian architect Boris Freidenberg between 1874-76
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Aquazzura website
ADDRESS
Aquazzura
18 Petrovka Street
Moscow 127051
-
Why are the most memorable watch designers increasingly from outside the industry?Many of the most striking and influential watches of the 21st century have been designed by those outside of the industry’s mainstream. Is it only through the hiring of external designers that watch aesthetics really move on?
-
This Fukasawa house is a contemporary take on the traditional wooden architecture of JapanDesigned by MIDW, a house nestled in the south-west Tokyo district features contrasting spaces united by the calming rhythm of structural timber beams
-
At last: a London hotel that’s great for groups and extended staysThe July London Victoria, a new aparthotel concept just steps away from one of the city's busiest rail stations, is perfect for weekends and long-term visits alike
-
LA confidential: Phillip Lim’s inaugural concept store is a triumphant homecoming -
Loewe celebrates its past, present and future with a new flagship in Madrid -
First class: the finest A/W 2016 fashion week invitations -
Eytys' striking new Stockholm flagship is an ode to brutalism -
Leather system: bags of style at Tsatsas’ new Frankfurt showroom -
House warming: Want Les Essentiels opens its first global boutique in NY -
Hussein Chalayan opens his first flagship in London -
London concept store LN-CC peels off its winter coat to reveal its latest Gary Card-conceived skin
