Louis Vuitton has once again created a buzz with the opening of its latest store, the Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul. The talk was not only about the celebrities, but it was also the new landmark that brought grandeur to the famous Cheongdam-dong in the Gangnam District.
In collaboration with celebrated architects Frank Gehry and Peter Marino, the awestruck architecture pays homage to Korean heritage and culture with a reference to the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Taking inspiration from Hwaseong Fortress and Dongnae Hakchum (Crane Dance), the latest store is built with Gehry’s trademark curved glass which covers the entire front of the structure, starting from a high zig-zagging vestibule and window, leading up to a series of enclosed terraces and culminating in waves of louvered glass panels, bearing some resemblance to the structure of flight.
While the building itself looking remarkably impressive, there are four highlights that make the Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul a stamping ground for art buffs.
The Overview
The store boasts a total of five floors with each of which caters to different offerings, all housed in ample and contrasting spaces designed by Peter Marino. (The entrance hall that soars to a height of twelve metres tall is one prime example.) Dreamed up with Miesian influence in mind, the interior design perfectly juxtaposes with the billowing exterior and exudes a sense of openness especially the airy staircase that connects all floors.
The basement floor is for men’s collection; the first floor with glass vestibule is for women’s collection, the second floor comprising a private space and third floor with a terrace are created to hold private events.
Objets Nomades
The Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul is also the home to Objets Nomades, the brand’s collection of designer travel and home-related objects. The store makes a warm shelter for the works of thirteen of the world-famous designers the likes of Atelier Oi, Marcel Wanders and André Fu, in addition to the French fashion house’s archival objects.
Louis Vuitton Travel Book
Along with the opening, the French fashion house also lifts the veil for the Louis Vuitton Travel Book dedicated to Seoul, designed by French artistic duo Icinori. To bring the contents to life, Louis Vuitton has tapped Google to activate the use of Google Lens, which enables readers to discover further the images inside the book by pointing the camera on it.
Espace Louis Vuitton
Espace Louis Vuitton, a showcase of culture and art, is another big draw for visitors. First inaugurated at Paris in 2006, Seoul is the latest store to display the works of Fondation Louis Vuitton Collection. And the maiden exhibition brings in eight sculptures by Alberto Giacometti including L’homme qui chavire [The man who capsizes] (1950) and Grande Femme II [Tall Woman II] (1960).
