DALLAS, Apr 14, 2008 / FW/ — Continuing its expansion in 2008, Marni inaugurates its first boutique in Turkey. Located in the charming 19th century environ of Akaretler, the stark modernity inside the Marni boutique is a counterpoint to the old world Istanbul, thus creating a symphony of beauty based on divergent elements.
Collaborating with the architects from Sybarite, Consuelo Castiglioni created a space that pulls the visitor through a narrative as he or she moves from room to room. Maintaining the original room volume while adding Marni’s signature style and looks, Castiglioni made the Istanbul boutique part of the new generation of Marni flagship store designs.
Providing an unexpected and captivating way of displaying the ever-growing accessories collection together with the ready to wear, the large front windows look into two rooms completely dedicated to the accessories collection.
A large stainless steel display step characterizes one of the two rooms and an array of differently sized inset fiberglass cases with backlighting, the other. Using stylized mannequins that hang from the ceiling making them look like they are floating, the two spaces seen from outside complement each other.
In the central main room, a stainless steel rail holds the MARNI collection curling around the perimeter of the store, repeating the shape of the steel step at the front. The focal point of this room is the floating mannequins that hang from the ceiling and are moved by fans.
Aged teak floors, textural and unfinished-looking walls, which resemble the whitewash used to cover graffiti, crisp clean fiberglass cases and mirror-polished steel are strongly dissimilar materials, chosen to accentuate through contrast the preciousness of the MARNI collections.
[MARI DAVIS]