Despite being a temporary store, the new space will remain open for approximately one year. Park Associati therefore opted for a light modular concept, capable of adapting to the existing interiors as well as those of any future stores. The project began with an attentive study of Hermès’ creative philosophy, which specifically highlighted the tailor-made craftsmanship that characterises all the fashion house’s products. And it is precisely the atmosphere of the craft workshops where the Hermès creations have always been produced that originated the idea of designing a modular, flexible and functional panelling system on which items, from silks to clothes and accessories, could be displayed.
Configurable according to needs, the standard-size panels will be mounted on blocks that lift them from the ground and will be joined by connections that allow for curving when necessary to create a self-supporting system that seamlessly follows the line of the walls. The panels’ birch wood covering features a geometric graphic design etched on its surface originating from a recurrent pattern of the Hermès fabrics, the so-called Gribuill, inspired by the mosaic design of the floors of the fashion house’s historic Parisian headquarters.

This mark becomes an elegant embroidery that shapes a system of solids and voids functional to the display of objects, at the same time creating an environment of refined simplicity. Details such as the shelving’s horizontal sections deliberately left untreated subtly break off this perception of refinement, as a reminder of the fact that this is still a temporary space and an atelier.

Some Plexiglas panels were specially created to display and backlight the silks. The portions of wall not covered by the panels feature pleated curtains that help liven up the wall itself. Resembling a two-dimensional, rarefied frieze, another graphic motif cherished by the Hermès iconography flows along the false ceiling.

The walls connecting the different floors are decorated with a design that is meant to be a tribute to Milan’s historic architecture, specifically to the textures that characterise many of the façades of the city’s modern buildings.

Chosen as a contrast to the birch wood’s brightness, a warm, fairly dark grey gives a uniform colour to walls and ceilings.
The colour of carpets and fabrics varies depending on the type of product on display. The ground floor’s mix of shades of orange therefore characterises the space dedicated to men’s and women’s silks, perfumery and objects for the home, while a soft green identifies the area for men’s footwear and prêt-à-porter.

The same green is the leading colour on the first floor, where women’s footwear and prêt-à-porter are displayed. On the third floor, dedicated to travel accessories, leather goods for men and women, jewellery and horse riding accessories, the colour warms up again and takes on strong burgundy tones in the carpets, fading to a spicy shade reminiscent of Marsala wine on the curtains. The bright grey of the linear geometric display units is well suited to all the colour palettes used. Like other furnishing accessories in the store, the display units come from the fashion house’s stores, whereas some of the seats were chosen by the client specifically for these spaces. The style of the three subtle yet characterful environments manages to combine the contemporary taste of simple shapes and materials and an international fashion brand’s need to exhibit its creations showing them to advantage.