BAUX & Stella McCartney: Beautiful Sustainable Design

Since 2013, the luxury fashion brand Stella McCartney has used BAUX as an integral part of the shop design across a global scale. It started when Stella and her team was in the process of renovating her flagship store in Milan and was looking for innovative sustainable materials to finish the display walls and staircase.

Text by Matt CAREY

Photography by Joe AKER

Back in January 2013, when BAUX has just launched their first collection of acoustic tiles, Managing Director, Fredrik Franzon, received an email from luxury fashion brand Stella McCartney. Stella was in the process of renovating her flagship store in Milan and was looking for innovative sustainable materials to finish the display walls and staircase. BAUX wood wool tiles became an integral part of the Milan store design and today, BAUX and Stella McCartney are global partners, with BAUX acoustic tiles adorning the walls of Stella McCartney stores in Japan, Italy, Netherlands, Greece, France, Spain, Azerbaijan, US, UK and Australia.

"When we got the call from Stella McCartney, we’d just launched BAUX and instinctively knew it was a great match. Stella is passionate about beautiful sustainable design and like us she has huge respect for nature and our planet."   

— Fredrik Franzon, CEO, BAUX

Stella McCartney’s stores are a visible commitment to her respect for nature and her passion for sustainably sourced materials. Like BAUX, Stella believes that modern design should be beautiful and sustainable. The Milan store is located in a stunning 18th century neoclassical building with integrated Calacatta marble running through the ground floor and staircase. Large white rectangular BAUX tiles and linear brass and steel walls rails create an exquisite milieu for Stella’s signature designs.

"In this store what’s particularly exciting is that it’s the first time we have used BAUX, a tile made from sustainable wood wool from Sweden. 

— Stella McCartney"

To partner global brands like Stella McCartney, Google, Amazon and WeWork, BAUX has built up a network of 25 sales locations worldwide. But one thing hasn’t changed: all BAUX products are made from sustainably managed forests in Sweden.

For us it’s really important that as we grow, we continue to produce materials that meet the highest sustainable standards,” explains Fredrik. “At BAUX, we want to contribute to a better planet.”

Stella McCartney was one of BAUX’s very first customers and like many since; she was attracted to the unique properties of wood wool tiles. “The creative potential was something that the store designers at Stella McCartney were very quick to see. They asked for samples of all our tiles, in many different colors before settling on the large white rectangular tile”, explains Fredrik. “What started as one store has grown into global partnership, and we’re and very proud to be a part of their vision and journey.”

BAUX

www.baux.se

BAUX Acoustic products meet contemporary expectations of architects and designers with a canny combination of form and function. They can be combined to create remarkable structural patterns that rejuvenate residential, industrial and public spaces. Designed by the renowned Swedish design studio, Form Us With Love, BAUX Acoustic Tiles, Panels and Pixel are available in five color sets and a range of beautiful patterns. Designers and architects can personalize any installation with endless creative possibilities.

BAUX Acoustic Wood Wool products store ambient heat and release it when the air temperature falls. This contributes to lower energy costs, reduced environmental impact and stable indoor climates. BAUX Acoustic products are rot resistant. BAUX is a joint venture between entrepreneurs Johan Ronnestam and Fredrik Franzon and the founding partners of design studio Form Us With Love; Jonas Pettersson, John Löfgren and Petrus Palmér.

This article is re-shared by permission and © BAUX.

For more information please visit:

BAUX: www.baux.se

Link to case: www.baux.se/acoustic-case/stella-mccartney/

Link to products: www.baux.se/acoustic-wood-wool-products/

New Nike Live Concept Store Unites Digital and Physical Retail

Nike by Melrose is a service hub for NikePlus Members in Los Angeles

Nike by Melrose features a number of digitally-led, premium service offerings, designed to match the needs of neighborhood consumers. When walking in the store, shoppers can make a first stop for service at the Nike Sneaker Bar. 

Powered by the insights and engagement of thousands of NikePlus members across five zip codes in LA, the store is a uniquely curated home for NikePlus Members and the style, sport and speed-obsessed consumers of the city.

Nike Live stores, beginning with the Melrose Avenue location in Los Angeles, are specifically designed to be a service hub for local NikePlus members.

“Nike Live stores are specifically designed to be a service hub for local NikePlus members,” said Heidi O’Neill, President, NikeDirect. “We’re thrilled to be opening up Nike by Melrose and bringing the best of Nike products and offerings selected for this community. As well as being the first Nike Live destination, we will also test services that can then roll out to other Nike stores, combining digital features with a unique physical environment to create the future of Nike retail.”

The Sneaker Bar makes trying on and buying footwear quick and easy with on-the-spot access to the store’s shoe assortment and a Nike Expert to help consumers make the right product pick.

The Nike Live concept was created in support of Nike’s efforts to unite digital and physical shopping experiences for its consumers, and to further personalize the NikePlus Member in-store journey. The location and the product assortment of Nike by Melrose was selected using insights gained from NikePlus member activity and buying patterns across Nike’s suite of digital touchpoints (Nike.com, the Nike App, the NTC, NRC, and SNKRS apps).

The store’s façade showcases Angelenos shopping and getting after sport against the backdrop of a classic SoCal sunset. Los Angeles native Bijou Karman, the artist and illustrator who designed the mural that she calls “Sunsets on Melrose,” says she intended for it to be a re-imagined walkthrough of a typical LA day.

Nike by Melrose features a number of digitally-led, premium service offerings, designed to match the needs of neighborhood consumers. When walking in the store, shoppers can make a first stop for service at the Nike Sneaker Bar. There they can talk with a Nike Expert about the lifestyle and performance footwear available, request to try-on an item on the spot, purchase and go. This is the fastest shoe buying experience Nike offers.

The Dynamic Fit Zone has a lounge to relax in, rooms where Nike Experts can offer styling tips and a Nike Trial Zone (with a treadmill) to really put product to the test in. Bookable through the Nike App, Nike Express Sessions will also be hosted here to provide elevated one-to-one service to consumers in just thirty minutes.

As a NikePlus Member, shoppers also have access to the NikePlus Unlock Box where they can scan their Member pass every two weeks for unique Nike products and goods. They can also use Swoosh Text, an SMS messaging system that seamlessly connects them to the Nike by Melrose store team through the Nike App. Curb Services give NikePlus Members the ability to contact the store ahead of time using Swoosh Text and return or exchange goods curtsied.

Nike by Melrose gives NikePlus Members access to shop from the Nike App, tap reserve and pick up their product to try-on and purchase in-store.

The Nike by Melrose store also uses Nike’s New Nike App at Retail service, allowing NikePlus Members to reserve product to in-store Digital Lockers, scan product barcodes to learn more (i.e. product availability in nearby stores or online, and available colorways) and access new features and content in their Nike App homepage.

NikePlus members can redeem product or rewards by using their member pass every two weeks at the NikePlus Unlock Box (essentially a digital vending machine).

Nike Express Sessions at Nike by Melrose offer bookable appointments for NikePlus Members through the Nike App. The sessions are designed to provide one-to-one personal service to consumers within thirty minutes and will largely be hosted in the Dynamic Fit Zone. This area is outfitted with a lounge, fitting room, space for alterations on pants and tights, bra fittings, and Nike Trial Zone for trying out shoes on the in-store treadmill.

Returns, exchanges or purchases are made easy with Curb Services at Nike By Melrose. Using Swoosh Text (an SMS messaging system between the shopper and the store), consumers can simply text the store, pull in, grab or return goods, and get going.

Nike by Melrose will also serve up an even product assortment for men and women informed by local and Nike.com favorites. From everyday items that local NikePlus Members love like the Men’s Tech Fleece Jogger or the Women’s Classic Swoosh Sports Bra will be available alongside a bi-weekly delivery of fresh new arrivals – a first for Nike. The assortment will also include a select level of city-exclusive merchandise as well as curated seasonal picks from Nike collections.

The Nike by Melrose exterior mural also has ties to Los Angeles as it was designed by artist and illustrator Bijou Karman, an LA native whose work reflects the unique mix of nostalgia and flora that comes along with the California landscape. With inspiration from the diversity of Angelinos and the style of the neighborhood, the Nike by Melrose store mural is a reimagined walk through a typical day in LA. The mural, titled “Sunsets on Melrose,” showcases these characters shopping, taking part in sport, and experiencing local offerings in one incredible scene – all against the backdrop of a classic LA sunset.

Nike by Melrose Service & Offerings

Nike Sneaker Bar
The primary destination in the store, the Nike Sneaker Bar offers a unique and fast shoe buying experience, with a mix of style-minded and performance footwear available. Once arriving at the centrally located Nike Sneaker Bar, consumers are greeted by a store athlete with elevated footwear training. The consumer can get any footwear questions answered on-the-spot, request their favorite shoe(s) and then after quickly receiving the pair, can try on and checkout.

Nike App at Retail
Nike App at Retail is the Member’s ultimate shopping companion, bringing digitally led experiences to physical retail all through the Nike App. Several of the features of Nike App at Retail will be available at Nike Live.

Reserve - Using the Nike App, Members can reserve product to be held for them at the store. Consumers can shop the product they want in the Nike App and then complete their purchase with an in-store athlete.

Retail Home - When entering Nike Live, Members will gain access to an array of new features and content via their Nike App homepage.

Nike Scan - Members can scan any product barcode from the app to pull up online and store inventory, and to learn more about the product.

NikePlus Unlocks - NikePlus Member Unlocks are delivered through the Nike App to reward the best of Nike product, to deliver immersive brand experiences, to award activity achievements (i.e. through NRC or NTC) and to share partner rewards with our Members. Member Unlocks can be given directly from a store athlete at Nike Live when serving a shopper. Select Member Unlocks may also be delivered to consumers outside of Nike by Melrose, which they can redeem in-store with an athlete.

Nike Express Sessions
An elevated one-to-one service journey for NikePlus Members, bookable through the Nike app and designed to meet the needs of the athlete in sport, fitness and style. Store athletes guiding these sessions will have a distinct knowledge of Nike products, gear, styling, NikePlus Member benefits and Nike’s suite of apps to personally serve consumers. If a product isn’t available in-store, they will be able to pull product from other stores in the marketplace.

Nike Express Sessions at Nike Live are designed for speed and efficiency, delivering one-to-one service to consumers in thirty minutes or less. Members are welcome to book beyond thirty minutes if they wish to extend their service experience.

Curb Services
An opportunity for consumers to purchase, return and/or exchange via curbside pick-up. If a consumer wants to exchange an item, they can use Swoosh Text to message the store and make sure they have their size. The member texts the athlete when they’re close and the athlete comes out of the store to return/exchange the product or complete a purchase transaction.

Swoosh Text
Consumers can enjoy a two-way conversation through SMS messaging with a store athlete; enabling faster, better and more personalized service.

NikePlus Unlock Box
A unique in-store Membership benefit where every two weeks a Member can redeem Unlocks using their Member pass at an innovative, digital vending machine to get a hold of unique product/offerings.

Dynamic Fit Zone
To allow Experts to further connect with consumers, sessions at Nike Live can take place in the Dynamic Fit Zone outfitted with a lounge, rooms for styling and a Nike Trial Zone (with treadmill) to try out product in-store. Additional services like bra fitting and alterations for Nike tights and pants will also be available in this space.

Digital Lockers
Nike Live will be equipped with smart lockers members can open with their NikePlus member pass. These lockers will serve as a place where members can easily pick up products they’ve reserved via the Nike App or through Swoosh text.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Ore., is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse, Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel accessories.

For more information please visit www.nike.com 

New Wildfox Flagship Store in Iconic Sunset Plaza Shopping District of Los Angeles

Los Angeles-based women's label, Wildfox Couture, has officially opened the doors to its first flagship retail store in the iconic Sunset Plaza shopping district of Los Angeles, CA.

Wildfox CEO Jimmy Sommers says, "We are thrilled our customers finally have the opportunity to experience all of our products in one place. The flagship location will always carry the newest and widest assortment of styles. The space is meant to feel like walking into the ultimate Wildfox girl's dream closet. The look of the store will change with the release of every collection so I want customers to experience each campaign photo shoot brought to life."

The 2,000 square foot space will showcase the brand's iconic ultra-soft, graphic tees, jumpers, dresses, and bottoms, angora blend sweater knits, eyewear, denim, swimwear as well as the full Kids range. 

The exterior façade is characterized by Wildfox's signature peach-pink color, black and white awnings and a pink neon sign in the center front window which reads "Fall in Love" - a slogan the brand has used since one of its first seasons.

Designed by Katie Hurley, Owner and Founder of Fineas+Clover, the flagship's décor is best described as an eclectic fusion of locally sourced, vintage pieces with modern accents. Expertly blending antique Mastercraft brass tables and delicate vintage china displays complemented by etched filigree mirrors and hand blown glass chandeliers, the interior transforms the Wildfox personality into a physical space patrons can experience on an intimate level.

The interior boasts 15 foot beamed ceilings, travertine floors, a fireplace, and patio cabana, which will serve as an area to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Lining the walls of three shag carpeted dressing room areas is custom wallpaper featuring collages of the brand's most iconic campaign imagery in a sepia tone topped with a shiny, metallic coating.

Launching exclusively in-store for holiday season, customers will be able to completely customize their own sunglasses by pairing any existing frame with a lens finish of their choice. Leenabell jewelry designer, Monica Stanley, has several of her collections available for purchase in the Wildfox store. Ranging from dainty to chunky, vintage to modern, and fine to custom, price points are between $100-1800.

Inside the store, a live DJ set by BOYSTOWN kept the energy high while guests shopped Wildfox's Fall collection were treated to manicures by NCLA, makeup touch ups by Blushington, and a variety of refreshments and specialty cocktails provided by SVEDKA, Veuve Clicquot champagne, Château D'Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé, Heineken, Perrier and Red Bull. The store's parking lot was transformed into a backyard lined with ivy hedges - equipped with a photobooth, ping pong table, sushi bar by Sushiya, and the HEARTSREVOLUTION Ice Cream Truck covered in Swarovski crystals.

Model Alessandra Ambrosio attends the Wildfox Flagship Store Launch Party on October 16, 2014 in West Hollywood, California.

(Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Wildfox)

Model Alessandra Ambrosio (wearing Wildfox beanie) and Wildfox CEO Jimmy Sommers attend the Wildfox Flagship Store Launch Party on October 16, 2014 in West Hollywood, California. 

(Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Wildfox)

About Wildfox

Wildfox is a Los Angeles-based women's label founded in 2007. Known for its iconic campaigns, dreamlike quality, and clothes that tell a story, the brand has grown to include categories outside the core knitwear range, including Denim, Essentials, Intimates, Kids, Pajamas, Sun, Swim, and a White Label collection of luxuriously soft sweater knits, laces, chiffons, velour, and sequins. Wildfox launched its first flagship store in Los Angeles in September 2014 with additional U.S. locations planned for Malibu, New York, Miami, and Chicago. 

In partnership with Elizabeth Arden, the brand is set to introduce its first fragrance for summer 2015. The brand can be found in better retail boutiques nationwide including Ron Herman, Planet Blue, Akira, and Shopbop, along with select department stores such as Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Internationally, Wildfox is distributed in over 30 countries worldwide including the U.K., France, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Russia, and Taiwan and can be found in such stores as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Matches, and TSUM.

Wildfox Flagship Store

8710 Sunset Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90069

Hours: 11am-7pm Sunday-Thursday and 

11am-9pm Friday & Saturday

Tel: +1 310.855.9030

For more information please visit:
www.wildfoxcouture.com
twitter.com/WILDFOXCOUTURE
facebook.com/IHeartWildfoxCouture
instagram.com/WildfoxCouture
#TAKEMETOWILDFOX

All Store Photos by Elizabeth Daniels, Courtesy of Wildfox & @PeoplesRevTeam

SceneSetter Fitting Room Mirror

[New York], May 2, 2013 - Introducing SceneSetter™, a uniquely lit mirror that enables shoppers to focus on your merchandise instead.

You see it every day - a shopper heads for the fitting room with an armload of clothes, only to leave empty handed. Why do you lose sales in the fitting room? Nothing "looked right." And many times, that's due to unflattering lighting that makes a shopper look ill and feel frumpy.

"With really bad lighting, you look at yourself,
you look at your skin and you're completely distracted."

-Wendy B. McDevitt, Anthropologie, as quoted in the Wall Street Journal


With different settings replicating outdoor, evening and office light, SceneSetter™ highlights subtle nuances of color tone, letting your customers see themselves in a whole new light. A quick touch of a button and they can see how they'll look in various real-life situations: a romantic dinner, a business presentation, an outdoor excursion. Customers want clothes that make them look good. And SceneSetter™ makes it easy for shoppers to say: "I love the way I look in this outfit." They'll relax more - and buy more.

An easy-to-use touch-screen interface allows shoppers to control lighting and adjust the color temperature and intensity to achieve their most flattering look while they try on their selections.

Features:
Allows user to simulate various real life environments.
Touch-screen interface system can be adapted to retailers' specific design needs.
Intuitive touch-screen allows consumers to easily adjust color temperature and intensity to achieve their most flattering look.

Benefits:
Increases sales and traffic by encouraging customers to view themselves in a whole new light.
Results in less returns and increased customer satisfaction.
Acts as an in-store stylist for retail customers.

Specifications:
Evening: 2700 K : 92W: 5731 lumens
Office: 4100K : 85W : 5770 lumens
Outdoor: 6500K : 72W : 5733 lumens
Voltage: 100V - 240V
Weight: 75 lbs

For more information please visit iconintl.net/products/detail/16/SceneSetter

ENDO/ICON creates award-winning site specific lighting for a wide range of settings, from retail boutiques and malls to hotels and museums, transit stations, hospitals, schools, aquariums, airports, national landmarks and more. Each design solved a specific problem, enhanced the site's environment, increased energy efficiency, and most of all provided perfectly matched illumination for the space.

For our complete line of retail solutions that show your property in the best light, visit iconintl.net

Alice Temperley Store by Found Associates

[New York], April 12, 2013 - Found (www.foundassociates.com) collaborated closely with Alice Temperley to create their first flagship store at 27 Bruton Street; a Grade II listed, six-storey Georgian town house. 

Temperley London Bruton Street |Photo By Found.

The ground and first floor house retail space for the three Temperley collections; Temperley London, Temperley Bridal and ALICE by Temperley. The upper floors and basement will become home to the Temperley office team.


The design focuses on retaining and complimenting the existing Georgian features by using a heritage palette of colors, and luxurious materials such as decorative brass metalwork.




About Found
Based in Soho London, the practice was formed by Richard Found in 1997 and boasts a diverse portfolio of award winning work.

Found is recognised for excellence and innovation in design and architecture across a wide variety of sectors.

Found offer services tailored to cover every aspect of each individual client's needs, from initial concept design through to completion. We have a proven track record of delivering unique projects within budget and on programme.

Retail clients include: Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Givenchy, Anya Hindmarch, Kurt Geiger, Donna Karan.

Corporate clients include: Diageo, TalkTalk, Virgin Atlantic, M&C Saatchi, Prince's Trust.

Found have extensive experience in luxury residential projects including new buildings.

For more information please visit Found | www.foundassociates.com

The New Alexander McQueen Store in Roppongi, Japan

[New York], April 9, 2013 - Alexander McQueen is pleased to announce the opening of the new Alexander McQueen accessories boutique in Roppongi, Japan.


Photo courtesy of Alexander McQueen.
The new store concept was conceived by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen and realized together with David Collins Studio.

Visit Alexander McQueen Store: Roppongi Tokyo Japan - Roppongi Hills
Roppongi Hills West Walk 2F 6-10-3 Roppongi
Minato-ku
Tokyo
106-0032

T: 03-3470-6221

Shop & Explore Alexander McQueen:  http://bit.ly/10J8aeH