Over the past 26 years, Swedish multidisciplinary fashion house Acne Studios has made a name for itself through its bold maximalist minimalism style. The newly reopened Melbourne retail outpost sees the previous floorplan doubled and the interiors redesigned. Adopting minimalist design cues, the contemporary space exudes a sense of calmness, punctuated by unexpected pops of colour.
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The store expansion is in line with the brand’s global design method of respecting and reflecting its idiosyncratic surroundings while adhering to the Acne Studios design language. As a result, the Little Bourke store showcases Melbourne culture through the distinct Acne Studios design lens.
A contemporary take on zen, the Acne Studios Melbourne store is defined by clean lines and minimalist forms, with walls and ceilings rendered in white high-gloss stucco lustro which complements the textural sand-blasted finish of the light grey marble floor. The muted colour palette provides the ideal backdrop to the bold blue canvas furniture. Designed by Max Lamb, the furniture features a batik pattern and serves as the undeniable focal point of the store, illuminated with lighting design by Benoit Lalloz.
The addition of a monolithic mirrored cube that houses the service counter works to simultaneously ground the store and add interest; with the sleek design multiplying Lalloz’s light installations through the space, while creating juxtaposition against the soft, organic shapes of the blue furniture.
Reflecting the Scandinavian origins of Acne Studios while remaining cohesive with its location, the redesigned minimalist Little Bourke street store is a lesson in restraint.
Words by Arabella Johnson
