The Glassons flagship store

The Glassons flagship store in Auckland, New Zealand, was inspired by a ‘rooms of the Mansion’ theme, while adaptations allowthe space to withstand heavy demands of retail use.The front window is literally ‘framed’ with an ornate but hard-wearing picture frame.

The entry Portico features wrought iron gates,decorative ceramic floor tiles and a ceiling dome, which all add to the sense of grandeur. The main floor area to the ‘grand hall’ and ‘atrium’ contain the majority of merchandise housed in custom-made fixturing,which ranges from tiered display tables to stainless-steel racking to accommodate mass merchandising. The rear part of the store is the more intimate zone featuring a darker floor and ceiling that leads into an unashamedly girly pink dressing roomwith stylish tall mirrors and panelled doors. The counter has cabriole legs and decorative timber mouldings, like an ornate sideboard.

The ‘library’ uses a grand bookcase to display clothes while accessories are showcased in a gallery of elegantly framed niches.Customers love the playful touches such as the floral wall, striped fitting room ceiling and ‘chess piece’ columnsand ‘comb-up’ bar which are unexpected within a volume retail environment.