The eye wants its share. And so fashion brands all over the world rely on renowned architects to come up with the most exclusive store that makes people exclaim ‘wow’ as soon as they enter (and outside too).

We selected a few luxury stores that attract customers from all over the globe. And if the eye wants its share, so does Instagram. Fashion shops try to go viral with attractive designs. Why not also show where you choose to shop?

Louis Vuitton Tokyo Ginza Namikidori

It has to be said: Louis Vuitton has set its sights high here. Designed by architects Jun Aoki and Peter Marino, the building housing the Louis Vuitton fashion brand’s boutique features an exterior glass surface that reflects sunlight, resembling the crystal-clear waters of a vertical ocean. The four-storey shop follows the same ‘undulating’ theme, dedicating the top floor to a lounge for VIP customers.

Prada Marfa, Chihuahua Desert, Texas (USA)

You probably have a painting, poster or phone wallpaper with the façade of this famous ‘store’, in quotes because it is actually an art installation. Born in 2005 and gone viral over the years, it has always attracted thousands of tourists and is designed by architects Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello by Danish artists Elmgreen & Dragset. Fun fact: a few days after the opening, the fashion store was vandalised and all the shoes and bags inside were stolen.

Burberry, Rue Saint-Honoré, Parigi

With this project, Burberry wanted to stand out. Realised in collaboration with architect Vincenzo de Cotiis, the flagship store is spread over three floors, with a façade that recalls the brand’s typical texture, to be recognised even from across the street. Opened in 2022, it welcomes customers from all over the world with the possibility of booking an appointment in the boutique.

Dolce & Gabbana, Piazza di Spagna, Roma

Dolce&Gabbana offers a baroque aesthetic in its fashion store on the Piazza di Spagna in the capital. Within the walls of a majestic 16th-century palace, the building resembles a Roman temple with frescoes and mosaics on all the ceilings, spread over two floors. The project was realised by architect Eric Carlson in 2019.

Acne Studio Norrmalmstorg 2 Stockholm Sweden

White marble envelops the Acne Studios store in Sweden. Realised by the Arquitectura-G architecture studio in Barcelona, the fashion shop takes care of all the smallest details to pay homage to the origins of the historic building, proposing a minimal dimension suspended between space and time. Fun fact: the store is located in the premises of the former Sveriges Kredit Bank where a robbery in 1973 gave rise to the expression ‘Stockholm syndrome’.

Not to mention all the luxury fashion boutiques that dot Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, creating a breathtaking combination of history, art and luxury. Last January, the latest new addition to the gallery was Bottega Veneta, a two-storey space conceived by creative director Matthieu Blazy.

Have you been to any stores? Which one attracts you most?

by Giorgia Dallasio
8th May 2024