The new Camper store in Berlin is the real deal. It’s been put together by two of my favorite designers, the Campana Brothers, who were introduced to me by Bob Isherwood, our WW Creative Director, who has a couple of their chairs. The Camper shop walls are built from layers and layers of very colorful high impact posters. Nothing surprising yet, but wait for this… Customers are invited to tear the layers and rip them down constantly revitalizing the look with each new layer. Mystery, Sensuality and Intimacy all in one touch. The art is temporary; so is the store but the brothers are working on a breakthrough design for a more permanent installation. And the shoes, of course, are sustainably fun. I’m a big fan of deconstruction, as anyone who has visited Saatchi & Saatchi New York’s 16, 17 and 18 floors can tell. But this is the first time I’ve seen consumer deconstruction encouraged in the retail environment.
And three other quick retail experiences not to be missed. The Boulder Bookstore in Boulder, Colorado is the perfect place to spend a snowy, wintry Sunday evening. Nigel Melville, ex captain of England and now the CEO and President of Rugby Operations of USA Rugby, was caught in there a couple of Sunday’s back, Starbucks in hand and a bunch of books at his side. Cozy, warm, friendly, eclectic. In direct contrast to Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, which has opened up just opposite the Adidas old school store in New York Soho. Young, fun, bubbly, colorful, Heart inspired designs for young at heart. Livens up New York downtown black. And, finally, Hermes at 24 rue du Faubourg in Paris is the ultimate, high end sensual experience. Scarves, fashion, furniture, jewelry all relating back to Hermes horse routes yet pointing to a new vibrant, exciting future. Worth going in just for the great smells of my favorite perfume 24 Faubourg.
