Architecture +
ENVIRONMENTS
Architecture | Interiors | Immersive Environments
Savage x fenty
Retail Interior Concept | Five Locations Executed
Lead Designer + Project Manager | 2021
Locations | Concept Design + 5 Locations
Culver City
Las Vegas
Houston
Brooklyn
Atlanta
Led a team of 4 Junior Designers, guiding the Client from early Concept Creation through development and issuance of Global Store Template to client’s architectural partners all over the world
Served as Project Manager for the first 5 locations implementing the Concept Design through Construction completion, overseeing value engineering processes and revisions of Global Store Template to reflect learnings
Collaborated with Millworker to create a custom modular fixture package, and Client Operations Team to develop process for bulk order warehouse fabrication and distribution to site locations, optimizing for supply chain instability and maximizing value for all partners
The concept for this store is called “The Dollhouse” and is inspired by the form of a dollhouse when opened up to see each room. This concept came as a result of the Rihanna’s desire for multiple easily modifiable areas for the different collections and “drops” that they put out each season. The “evergreen” area at the back of the sales floor serves as a more permanent space to showcase their standard year- round items.
A large part of the brand identity is focused around empowering humans of all genders, sexualities, and body types to express “their sexy.” The rooms are therefore arranged in a tight and angular configuration and filled with saturated lighting at every level to evoke the overwhelming, exciting, intimate nature of a strip club, peep show, “redlight district” or other sensual or sex work environments, but re-imagined in a way that removes the taboo and promotes a sense of pride and celebration in our natural, sexual states of being.
The dollhouse structure was the most significant custom build system to figure out when developing the concept into detailed drawings. This was a system I personally conceived of - creating building-esque cube structures from millwork mounted on partial height stud walls. My details were then used to collaborate with our lighting designer and fixture vendor to turn this concept into a reality.
Rihanna was set on ensuring that this store wouldn’t feel like “typical retail” - she did not want to display product on rows of hangers. To meet that charge, we devised this custom sculptural mannequin wall. Each body can be taken off the wall through a system of attachments and clothed for display. The bodies can be moved and rearranged as needed to best showcase their product. We felt this design not only met the charge to think outside the merchandising box, but also had the benefit of showcasing the variety of bodies that this brand serves. This idea was then developed through shop drawings with a custom mannequin vendor, using 3D scans of actual models to create custom body forms with z clip attachments.
After completing the concept design phase, I continued to work on the project through the CD phase. Our team was comprised of our team leader (senior project manager), myself as lead designer, and three assistant designers. We worked together to develop the design through detailed drawing, as well as heavy collaboration with our Fixture Contractor reviewing shop drawings.