French Perfume House Diptyque / Special Projekt

Architects: Special Projekt
Location: London, England
Project year: 2010
Photographs: Courtesy of Special Projekt

London Design Studio Special Projekt has created a unique retail space for luxury French Perfume House Diptyque in London’s foremost department store Liberty of London.
Their vision for the design of the store was to unify the iconic Liberty and Diptyque brands in a highly designed space. drawing heavily on the brand’s design heritage we’ve created a special diptyque retail experience which remains true to their brand proposition of discovery, creativity and distinction.

Influenced by the three founding partners passion for design, artistic expression and constant drive to demonstrate creative expression, our design looks to capture the essence of this creative heritage, while positioning Diptyque as a luxury brand with innovative vision.

They reference throughout their design the physical and structural dna of the brand to create a special design platform with each element expressing heritage, potential and quality to ensure a unique consumer experience and retail concept for Diptyque.

The focal point in the space is the product showcase created by merging the iconic ‘Choriambe’ fabric design of diptyque founder Christiane Montarde-Gaurot and the signature ‘needingworth’ fabric design from Liberty to create an inspiring and eye- catching design feature. Around 6000 pieces of formica have been individually laser cut to replicate a stylised screen version of the ‘Choriambe’ design. On the reverse of the screen the charming ‘needingworth’ pattern has been printed on bespoke laminate. Hundreds of individually laser cut peep holes provide viewing points through the screens onto the mirrored back wall, reflecting the liberty design back at the viewer and into the space. The result is a fusion of two iconic designs to create a layered effect of reflective colour, pattern and texture throughout the space.

Christopher Robinson Creative Director of Special Projekt comments, “We are thrilled to have worked on such a spectacular project. Our vision for the design of the store was to unify the iconic Liberty and Diptyque brands in a highly designed space. Working with Diptyque is an endless process of discovery and creative expression, with a sensational heritage and exceptional product range we have had the opportunity to creatively reflect the brand through this design platform’

Building on the special relationship between Liberty and Diptyque, fabric and wallpaper motifs were a central theme of the design. Additional design features in the space include beautifully crafted bespoke showcases on cabriole legs to display the Diptyque range to perfect effect, while throughout the space they have developed multiple design platforms, from wonderful clustered island tables to a bespoke chandelier made from 52 sandblasted mini Diptyque candle holders hung beneath a stunning distressed copper pressed tin ceiling. An ‘objet ‘d art’ wall features lovingly restyled retro furniture and an artistic distressed hand painted mirror below and acid washed Diptyque copper logo set into the classic Liberty ‘fan’ fabric design reprinted as a wallpaper, all stand as an artistic tribute to the brand.