Interior Design Showcase

Alberta and Ferretti opened their flagship store in Los Angeles on Melrose Ave. catering to the Hollywood crowd. Sybarite, the architectural firm that specializes in fashion boutiques did the design work including the interior and display system.

The storefront of the 4,300 square foot space  has backlit capital letters subtly announcing the name of Alberta and Ferretti on the 1957 building. Chiffon minidresses and metallic stilettos are superbly displayed on freestanding blackened and polished steel fixtures with LED screens mounted above  the single hanger system, showcasing each piece individually. The unique sculptural design of the mannequins, forming a point at the base and fit into round holes in the terrazzo floor, allow for easy positioning. Others are held in place by magnets and appear to be freestanding or suspended throughout the store adding to the ultra contemporary overall design.

Plans for other stores designed by Sybarite are locations in Paris, Beirut, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

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Italian born architect Renzo Piano is well known for his simple yet elegant and highly refined style perfectly blended with function. He has won many of the most prestigious commissions of the past century.

His recent works; The Chicago Art Institute and the California Academy of Science both use design to create eco-friendly sources of light. At the Chicago Art Institute his new wing  houses many great modern masterpieces. The sources  of natural light beautifully illuminate these fine paintings long hidden from the public.

One admirer said the “serenity of his best buildings can almost make you believe that we live in a civilized world” *

Comments about his redesign of the California Academy of Science note-  embracing the enlightened values of truth and reason. Because of its environmentally-friendly design it was featured on the Discovery Channel’s Extreme Engineering series in 2006 and on National Geographic Channel’s Man Made series in July 2008.

Renzo Piano- architect :  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/arts/design/14muse.html

 Charlie Rose interviews Renzo Piano:  http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10318

 * Ouroussof, Nicolai (May 13, 2009). “Renzo Piano Embraces Chicago” The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-05-13.