Luxury fashion house Maison Margiela has launched a concept store in Shanghai illustrating the visual language of creative director John Galliano. 

Located in the Reel Department Store, the 160sqm boutique is designed by Dutch architecture studio Anne Holtrop. The store is Maison Margiela’s first outlet in China featuring the new concept. 

First introduced in the gypsum-cast set at the Artisanal AW 2018 show, Holtrop’s abstract design illustrates the Maison’s iconoclast codes in facade and interior. Featuring a minimalist concept, the store design includes elements such as artisanal furnishings, natural shades of plaster and classic objects. 

The ceiling and walls of fitting rooms are painted in a dark-green high gloss almost black, “creating a deep shimmering shine echoed in Japanese lacquer cabinets”.

First appearing in the Bruton Street store in London, Anne Holtrop’s store design also features in Maison Margiela’s stores at Avenue Montaigne in Paris and Osaka Shinsaibashi Parco in Japan. Shanghai Reel is the fourth store in the world to introduce the new style. 

The Shanghai concept store houses a complete range of Maison Margiela’s co-ed collections, ready to wear, accessories, shoes, small leather goods, together with jewellery and fragrances.

In celebration of the launch, Recicla 5AC bags will be available exclusively at the Shanghai Reel store.