Manolo Blahnik Dubai - Boutique : Images + Information

Manolo Blahnik – Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE 2008 Data Nature Associates The challenge posed by the magnificently high space – over five meters – of Manolo Blahnik’s flagship store in Dubai was one of scale. A shoe needs to be displayed in a recognisable dimension and to achieve this Data Nature Associates carved the volume into undulating pockets creating essential visual variety. At the same time the space needed to capture a certain essence of Dubai in terms of its nature, its geography and its history. The overall neutral colouring of the space evokes the surrounding topography of the Rub'al Khali desert and the salt flats also known as the Sabkha. The objects and planes that form the transparent inner envelope draw from elements of the Bedouin lifestyle, Islamic detailing and coral reef forms and separate into two main elements: full height enclosing surfaces and a bed of floating lamps. The white hand carved hardwood screens - sculpted in a tessellated stone coral pattern – are gently curved into a cluster of alcoves organised into a community within the sparse environment, similar to a nomadic goum with its bright low level cushion type seating. The 65 traditional style metalwork ‘Beat’ and ‘Stout’ lamps, designed by Tom Dixon, are organised into the five horizontally fragmented ‘family’ groups effectively creating a lowered ceiling datum. The ‘Manolos’ that populate the enclosure are framed by the geometry of the enclosing canvas and can be seen hanging from the screens, perching on the signature Hoffman stands and reclining on the vibrant sofas like exotic fish or precious jewels completing the mosaic of the space. Manolo Blahnik Dubai Mall store images / information from Data Nature Associates 270109