Sarah & Sebastian Armadale by Russell & George

The world’s oceans are at the heart of the new boutique for jewellery brand Sarah & Sebastian, located in Melbourne’s Armadale. This eerie cave of wondrous delights, designed by Russell & George, was inspired by an underwater cave that Sarah Gittoes, creative director at Sarah & Sebastian, experienced while travelling. The architect also referenced a quote from Japanese manga creator Naoshi Arakawa: “Even in the depths of the darkest oceans, some light always pierces through.” Naoshi’s words were brought to life by Russell & George through a complex palette of all-black materials, where subtle shifts in sheen and intensity of pigment represent the mostly unexplored world beneath the waves. The store’s design creates a moody, immersive and playful experience where light can be focussed on even the smallest of elements. Ninety-eight percent of the store’s fitout materials can be recycled for use in another life.

Photography — Sean Fennessy

Russell & George — russellandgeorge.com