Sign Up
..... Australian Property Network. It's All About Property!
Categories

Posted: 2023-08-25 19:30:00
Up There’s vibrant new space.

Up There’s vibrant new space.

While there is a perforated galvanised steel counter upon arrival, it is the two “temple dogs”, jewellery vitrines created in vibrant coloured lacquered joinery, that make you sit up and take notice. “These are touchstone points before you start to explore the store,” says Kennedy.

While the warehouse-style space, with its exposed ceiling ducts, has a strong industrial aesthetic, it is tempered with a lush overlay: Vibrant green carpet to match the company’s logo and sumptuous orange velvet curtains in the dressing area, concealed behind steel walls.

Kennedy Nolan also allowed the main hanging space, an innovative steel structure, to be easily accessed from both sides.

“You want to avoid having people feeling as though they are jostling for room,” says Barrett, who was just as conscious of allowing shoppers the time and space to look at accessories on the main counter, which extends almost the full length of the store.

Loading

Constructed with a polycarbonate base and backlit, the unit can be activated to change colour, depending on the mood required.

Another important component of the design brief was to create a series of booths that would offer collaborations with the designer products that Up There stocks, which include Norse Projects, Kapital, Margaret Howell, MHL and 4SDesigns.

“If there was a source of inspiration for the layout, it would be the Dover Street Market, Comme des Garcons’ retail experience in Ginza, Tokyo,” says Paparoulas.

The fit-out also includes a separate area for sneaker buffs as well as a cafe at the rear, complete with a customised timber table made from silky oak and designed by Chair Boi.

Retail is in a challenging environment, with cost-of-living pressures mounting and rising interest rates taking a big bite out of disposable incomes.

Loading

Many retailers hope that a low price tag will be enough to entice a purchase. However, for Up There, it is also about having the correct ambience and stock, much of which is androgynous and strong on comfort.

The fleecy patchwork plaid shirts by Needles Clothing, beautifully stitched, are as comfortable as walking through this innovative new store.

“We’ve spent over 10 years building a loyal clientele,” Barrett says. “We’ve come to know what they’re looking for, not just in fashion but also in the type of space they want to be in.”

View More
  • 0 Comment(s)
Captcha Challenge
Reload Image
Type in the verification code above