STYLE Edit: Van Cleef & Arpels’ newly refurbished Hong Kong flagship store combines its iconic former features with the city’s quintessential nature and architecture to dazzling effect
Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku designed the original store at Landmark Prince’s building nearly a decade ago, and they recently returned to present a new retail experience for luxury jewellery and watch connoisseurs
While Van Cleef & Arpels’ history in Hong Kong dates back to the 1980s when Jacques Arpels opened the brand’s first point of sale in the Landmark, the current store was fitted out in 2011. A long-standing partner of the house, the Jouin Manku agency conceptualised the boutique as a shimmering bamboo forest with an exterior of glass tubes and a brightly lit interior complementing the shiny cityscape in the backdrop.
“Each maison at Van Cleef & Arpels calls for close attention and specific research to fully express the identity of Van Cleef & Arpels while laying down roots in the culture of the country or region,” says Nicolas Bos, president of Van Cleef & Arpels. “The Jouin Manku agency designed the original boutique nearly a decade ago. Now the same agency has carried out this renovation project with a view to presenting all of the maison’s collections in a modern, welcoming environment.”
Spread over two floors, the boutique’s three galleries display high jewellery, watches and fine jewellery in an elegant setting. Inspired by Hong Kong’s modern architecture and lush green hills, the renovated interiors are a combination of contrasting spaces.
While the central rooms exude an old-world charm with their smoked oak panelling and delicate floral motifs on the walls, the large vertical display cases inject a sense of loftiness inspired by the skyscrapers of Hong Kong.
Jouin Manku created an exclusive geometric motif with the maison’s hallmark to adorn the white paper panels to set off the chic floral decor. The transparent multi-tiered panels give a beautiful and serene impression to the entire space. The first floor of the boutique has an exclusive salon for private viewings for an intimate brand experience. Behind a smoked oak alcove, there is a cleverly concealed showcase dedicated to revealing unique pieces on demand.
Finished in off-white, beige and laurel green, the other spaces in the showroom are beautifully linked together by an iconic staircase, a centrepiece of the boutique preserved during the renovation, made of oak steps that were specially smoked to blend harmoniously into the surrounding environment.