As the cranes start to clear and the new vision of Miami’s Design District starts to take shape, important designer boutiques are opening amongst the construction. For Miami’s legion of rock stud fans, the two-story Valentino boutique that clocks in at nearly 5,000 square feet (and appears to be three stories from the street), is a dream come true.
The store’s look and feel was concepted by Valentino’s Creative Directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, along with David Chipperfield Architects. The feeling is borderline austere with grey Venetian terrazzo with chippings of Carrara marble.
The structure was designed to give an imposing, museum-like feeling, and the muted palette was intended to keep the attention on the colorful merchandise. The new store represents a departure in design for the brand, which veers away from serving as a mere showroom, and aims for the loftier goal of promoting the architecture of the space.
Whether or not they know the intentions, the shoppers who set foot in the boutique for the first time this week will feel the unique space’s sheer power.
140 NE 39th Street in Miami, Florida