Dezeen Magazine

India Mahdavi uses pink and yellow velvet for first RED Valentino store in London

French architect India Mahdavi has used bubblegum-pink and mustard-yellow velvet panels for the interior of this London fashion boutique for RED Valentino.

Red Valentino London by India Mahdavi

Mahdavi, who is also the architect behind the interiors of London's Sketch restaurant, worked with RED Valentino's creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli to create the store on London's Sloane Street.

RED stands for Romantic Eccentric Dress and is the sister line of Italian fashion house Valentino, which was founded by Valentino Garavani in 1960.

Red Valentino London by India Mahdavi

"The initial idea, together with India, was to create an intimate and emotional space," said Piccioli. "A meeting place that favours dialogue, a virtual and real exchange of ideas."

Hoping to make the space inviting to customers, the interior is made visible through a shopfront framed in brass.

Red Valentino London by India Mahdavi

Inside, the 170-square-metre space features Mahdavi's signature use of colour – with accents of soft pink and vibrant ochre against a white backdrop.

Red Valentino London by India Mahdavi

"Colour is fundamental in my work, so is texture," said Mahdavi. "I use texture like colour, and I use colour to bring light."

Red Valentino London by India Mahdavi

Curving white walls are lined with plush velvet panels, and white terrazzo flooring is patterned with coloured circles.

Fixtures including clothing rails and light fittings made from brushed brass.

Red Valentino London by India Mahdavi

Circular mirrors are fixed within the brass frames around the store, and Mahdavi's 70s-style Charlotte chairs give customers a place to sit and relax.

Red Valentino London by India Mahdavi

The space is RED Valentino's first flagship store in London, and is dedicated to the brand's ready-to-wear clothing and accessories.

Other high-end boutiques in London include Christopher Kane's first retail space on Mount Street, which has a minimalist interior designed by John Pawson, and Hussein Chalayan's store in Mayfair, which is based on the concept of a "shop within a shop".