A new venture is always a cause for celebration, especially when two forces join together! Last autumn, Christian Wijnants opened its first store outside of Belgium, and Melagence was thrilled to be part of this project.It was a family affair!
Finding a new home for the beautiful pieces of one of Melagence's first brands was a matter of the heart. The store on Potsdamer Strasse is rented out by property developers that have been hosting the Melagence offices and showrooms for many years.
The stunning new store, located in the bustling Berlin neighborhood of Potsdamer Strasse, was designed by Berlin-based architects and friends of Melagence, AAS Gonzalez Haase. The 100 sqm store features split-level spaces showcasing Wiinants' women's wear collections and his latest line of accessories. The design concept of the retail space is an innovative combination of new elements within the existing structure and materials e.g. the brass counter that was part of the former coffee place. The use of silver wall cladding creates multiple light reflections, playing with endless views through fully mirrored walls. The hand-curved brass hanging bars, which give a human scale and a poetic approach to Christian's signature collections, add a touch of sophistication to the store. The dressing rooms are a luxurious blend of plush, pistachio-coloured carpeting and silver curtains, while brass elements fuse the walls in lush Gia Ponti green. The two areas are connected through stairs, sharing a common ceiling height, with only the floor level changing. To unify the different levels, AAS designed an overarching lighting system that both connects and opens up the space. The diagonal light lines alternate between warm and cold, depending on the area they are in.
It was great to witness the birth of this new project and to see how it will continue to flourish in the decades to come through the strong and successful partnership between Christian Wijnants and Melagence. Come visit the store on Potsdamer Str. 91 when in Berlin!