Fashion brand Prada opens new store in China

The new location, designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi, occupies a total surface of about 950 square metres on a single level, and offers the men's and women's ready-to-wear, bags, accessories and footwear collections.

Its visually impressive outer storefront is a tribute to artist Carlos Cruz-Diez, and it features a black marble base framing six wide light boxes. A structure made of backlit gold-coloured aluminium and polished steel panels runs all over the height of the fac?ade to create an unusual kinetic effect, both in daytime and at night.

The storefront looking on the mall's inside is defined by black marble cladding, where the store's three entrances, windows and light boxes - framed in polished steel profiles - are arranged in a unique geometry of full and empty volumes.

Two entrances are dedicated to direct access in the women's area: a succession of octagonal- shaped rooms displays leather goods in an environment defined by the classic black and white chequered marble floor and by furniture in polished steel with black marble drawers.

This area is followed by a space characterised by pale green fabric walls: here, display niches are reserved for footwear, whilst ready-to-wear is presented in displays made with perspex panels. Perspex and polished steel tables and green velvet sofas complete the furnishing.

The third entrance leads into the men's area. Leather goods and luggage collections are presented in the first space, defined by the black and white chequered marble floor and by walls covered in black marble. For footwear and ready-to-wear, ebony wood is predominant on the walls and floor, with polished steel display cases, to create a definitely masculine atmosphere.

Prada