PRADA opens its first store in the heart of the Vancouver, on Alberni Street, the city’s most prestigious shopping district, strengthening its presence in the Canadian market. The space is designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi. It covers an area of 760 square metres and houses the women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories and footwear collections.
The external façade features two glass walls overlooking the street. Slim strips of black Marquinia marble flank the entrances and display windows, creating an original design that harmoniously blends with the building’s architecture. The two entrances open up on an area dedicated to the women’s leather goods and footwear collections. A succession of mirrored and marble portals give life to a series of different spaces defined by green fabric-clad walls with Prada’s iconic cut-in display niches. A more intimate area, defined by black Marquinia marble-clad walls, houses the precious leather goods and jewellery collections. The signature black-and-white marble chequered flooring – a legacy of Prada’s identity worldwide – the bright colours of the steel and crystal display counters and “Clover Leaf” sofas, designed by Verner Panton and reproduced exclusively for Prada, create an elegant atmosphere. An imposing black marble staircase leads to the upper floor and features dynamic video installations. The women’s ready-to-wear space opens up to two large areas with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a glimpse of the outside world. Green fabric-clad walls, green velvet sofas, transparent perspex cases, skylights and display tables enhance the setting. The area dedicated to the men’s collections wields masculine materials and finishes: ebony floorboards and walls, metal and crystal display units and ostrich leather sofas. Display counters with saffiano leather detailing in bright hues complement the furnishings. A private area is dedicated to Made to Measure service. – from Prada
All images courtesy of Prada
