Korean spectacle

TWO STARCHITECTS, 20TH-CENTURY MASTERPIECES AND LOCAL SPIRIT: THE NEW LOUIS VUITTON STORE IN SEOUL.

Together for the first time. Frank Gehry (exteriors) and Peter Marino (interiors) have designed the new Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul, a tribute to Korean culture and the spirit of Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, also by Gehry, referenced in the spectacular curved glass facade. The Canadian architect was inspired fortress, and by historic elements Korean of local buildings, culture, like like the the movements 18th-century and Hwaseong costumes of the Dongnae Hakchum dance. Gehry’s structure is made of curved glass panels, shaped and attached to a metal framework, culminating after a series of terraces in waves with other glass panels that make the building seem to take f light. The white stone walls reinforce the sense of lightness. Peter Marino has created varied interiors, from the 12-meter height of the entrance to the more intimate lounges. The three levels are connected by a “floating” staircase. At the center, visitors see the Objets Nomades collection by international designers like Atelier Oï, Marcel Wanders and André Fu. The Seoul store also contains an Espace for culture and art, offering an unusual private shopping experience: guests are literally surrounded by art, including 8 masterpieces by Giacometti from the collection of Fondation Louis Vuitton, as well as works by Mark Hagan, Marcello Lo Giudice, Brendan Smith, Luigi Mainolfi, Martin Kline, Harmony Hammond, Bernard Aubertin and Anselm Reyle. THE END