April 29, 2019 |
For the third consecutive month, UK retail sales are on an incline, despite the news that the institution of the British High Street is slowly disappearing. The contradiction of the retail landscape serves itself to thinking – is quality finally topping quantity? If in need of proof for this argument, look no further than 41-42 New Bond Street, where a Grade II listed building has just been converted into Casa Loewe. Opening last week as the UK counterpart to the brand’s global flagship in Madrid, headed by Jonathan Anderson, this space is an example of experiential retail done right, giving other luxury brands on the same street a run for their money. Going from a miniature boutique on Mount Street to its own three-storey institution, the brand has now established itself as one of the global luxury players, celebrating the expanding popularity of the brand. There’s fine details in every corner of the shop floor, all working together to create a harmonious crafty conversation – exactly what you would expect from Jonathan Anderson.
But before you head on over to splurge on the next IT bag or a drawstring balloon skirt, here’s your cheat sheet with 10 things you need to know about Casa Loewe:
1. The space was opened at the end of last week after a full year of intense renovation. Unlike most brands, Loewe didn’t hire a big architectural name to imagine the store. It was Jonathan Anderson who curated the space along with an in-house architectural team. According to the brand, the project was a complete team effort – from the construction teams of the building, to the master stonemasons for the staircase through to independent florists who created the unique ikebana-inspired displays visible throughout the store.
2. As mentioned, the store spreads over three storeys, all together totalling at 487 square metres. The ground floor holds women’s bags and accessories with a pop-up space dedicated to special projects. Few stairs down and you’ll find a full men’s collection (including shoes accessories), while the first floor houses the women’s ready-to-wear collection, shoes and jewellery.
3. When it comes to the inspirations, Casa Loewe was designed to evoke the home of a collector, where Loewe products are interspersed with pieces of art, craft and design from their growing art collection. A place of luxury, intimacy and culture.
4. Scattered around the floors are the works of 23 different artists, including the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize winners in 2017, with the starring piece being the Vulcano Table by Anthea Hamilton, along with a whole range of contemporary furniture staples.
5. The materials used in the interior design represent the house’s signature elements – cast concrete walls, wood panelling, linen curtains and poured concrete floors, all visual extensions of the textures utilised in Anderson’s fashion pieces.
6. There are four fitting rooms and a total of 17 people working in the store, all there at your convenience.
7. The store has a range of different price points, as Loewe wanted there to be something everyone could buy – there are sets of notebooks inspired by the prints of Paula’s Ibiza currently available at £50.
8. In addition to all of Loewe’s classics, you can also shop an exclusive collection of limited pieces inspired by the iconography of the UK, as well as a selection of the most iconic pieces from Salone del Mobile 2019, only available at Casa Loewe.
9. The staircase that dominates the space was inspired by the Georgian period, and hand built in Campaspero stone from Spain’s Valladolid region. And in case you’re feeling lazy, there’s the cylindrical panoramic lift in glass with brass detailing going through the middle of the space.
10. To mark the opening of the store, Loewe hosted possibly the most star-studded store opening in recent history. Who else could get A$ap Rocky, Joshua O’Connor, Kristen McMenamy, Stacy Martin and Jodie Comer on the VIP list? Only Jonathan Anderson and his team. We don’t have to say there were many a sneaky pics taken (by us), particularly of Sir A$AP doing some late-night shopping while dressed in new season Loewe, full-look of course. Those are some true fashion goals. Ready, stead – shop!
Casa Loewe is now open at 41-42 New Bond Street, London W1S 2SQ.
