THE BRIEF
Designing distinctive and confident pieces inspired by vintage fashions, RIXO has become a cult British brand. So when it came to fitting out its latest high street store in London’s trendy Carnaby Street, founders Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey wanted an individual look with a nod to past decades that would also allow the personality of their hand-printed clothing ranges to shine.
Appointing design studio Cúpla to create an empowering interior, RIXO was keen to stay true to their sustainability commitment by choosing British designs and family run suppliers. In line with their philosophy of designing one-off pieces that will become tomorrow’s classics, the aim was to create a welcoming environment and a memorable personalised experience.
Client: RIXO
Architects: Cúpla
Flooring Contractor: SMC Project Services LTD
Sector: Retail
Area: 40m2
The above image features Pearl Oak from our Karndean LooseLay Longboard collection.
THE CONCEPT
Capturing the atmospheric glamour of the 1960s and 70s, the new RIXO store has been designed to combine the very best of vintage style with the latest materials, remaining unapologetically true to its ethos of inclusivity, confidence and free spirit.
Central to the interior design is the need to focus attention on the exclusive clothing ranges, each lifelong investment piece designed using hand-printed fabrics to enable women to express themselves. A calming colour palette and luxurious fabrics have been combined with curves in brass, warm woods and elegant marble for a look that’s subtle and sophisticated.
Gemma Munday, retail growth manager at RIXO, said: “We like every store to be highly individual. As our clothing designs are inspired by vintage fashions, so all our stores have unique artwork and fixtures that tell its own story. The aim for our Carnaby Street store was to create a grown-up feel with an empowering interior that would reflect our vintage inspiration while also allow the contemporary charm of our clothes to shine. We looked for luxury fixtures that would give us a high end finish and a bespoke but understated look.”
THE LOOK
The interior’s design demonstrates a clever eye for detail, from the statement circular chandelier, white marble table and leopard print rug to the unobtrusive elegance of the display rails and warm neutral colour palette. Off-white walls and ceilings in the main retail zone contrast with dressing rooms colour drenched in rich deep blue, set against rich wood panelling and light neutral flooring.
Reflecting both timeless timber flooring and the latest preference for light organic colours, Pearl Oak from the Karndean LooseLay Longboard range connects the interior’s light and dark tones with warm pinky-beige shades, distressed grain details and an interesting lightly brushed surface texture. Installing the extra-long planks at a 45 degree angle has introduced a sense of flow and helps to guide customers around the store.
Gemma Munday, retail growth manager at RIXO, said: “We had previously chosen Pearl Oak for our head office so we knew that this would be a great choice. It’s really hard wearing and the pre-attached acoustic layer significantly reduces noise. The floor is a beautiful addition to the fixtures and furnishings and pulls all the different elements together. We want everyone to feel welcome, even including dogs, so the fact that Karndean flooring is durable enough for pets was an extra attraction!”
The loose lay format is a highly practical choice for retail premises, with a durable scratch resistant surface suitable for high footfall. Installed quickly without the need for adhesive, ongoing maintenance costs and disruption are also reduced as damaged or worn areas can be easily repaired by simply lifting and replacing single planks as required.