May 2011
Number 5, Mount Street, London
MAY, 2011 – Nicholas Kirkwood proudly announces the opening of his flagship store at Number 5, Mount Street in Mayfair. The store is situated in a historic grade 2 listed building and will all house the company’s headquarters and design studio.
The move of the company to upscale Mayfair from Southeast London marks a major milestone in the company’s history that started 6 years ago.
The store has been designed by Kirkwood and combines hard and soft elements in a considered manner to create a modern but ultimately feminine environment that shatters conventional shoe store design.
Nicholas worked with artist Richard Woods to design the floor. Woods creates fluidity by drawing the eye throughout the space culminating in a luminous display as the flooring shatters up the wall revealing shoes nestled within the cracks.
White lacquered display fixtures showcase the shoes playing with the idea of negative space, silhouette and composition as the backdrop becomes ‘invisible’ to the strong silhouettes and meticulous artisanal craftsmanship that make-up a Nicholas Kirkwood shoe.
The store will launch with his forthcoming Spring Summer collection which continues to experiment with new silhouettes, structures and materials to create an expanded collection that introduces lower heel heights, casual daywear styles with double thick leather stacked soles and a range of styles that are his modern interpretation of classic essentials.
For Spring Summer 2011 Nicholas continues to create his highly anticipated co-branded collections with Rodarte and Erdem, and introduces a new co-branded collaboration with Peter Pilotto for Spring Summer.
Kirkwood will also launch a very special collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation and Swarovski, a long time supporter of Nicholas’ work.
As an admirer of Haring’s work, approach, and social impact, Kirkwood challenged himself to work outside of his usual comfort zone, and created a collection of Haring inspired cartoon-like shoes, boots and roller skates adorned with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. The collection consists of 12 styles that show Haring’s breadth and imagination, while staying true to Kirkwood’s own signature style.
“Swarovski is thrilled to continue our relationship with Nicholas by extending our support of his work with his first store opening- a major milestone in a designer’s journey. As the first shoe designer to collaborate with Atelier Swarovski, we are proud to celebrate Nicholas’ creative versatility by launching a re-edition of his Spring/Summer 2010 ATELIER SWAROVSKI collection and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate with this design talent.” Quote from Nadja Swarovski, Vice-President International Communication & Creative Director
The ATELIER SWAROVSKI collection retails from £100 and will be available to buy in-store from the 12th May. Cuffs, rings and earrings feature sharp geometric lines that follow the contours of the body and the pieces are softened by beautiful leather and edged with tiny pavé crystals.
“For my first collection of jewellery, I felt it was important to stay true to the aesthetic that I apply when designing my shoes, sharp but ultimately feminine, this, and a considered diversity of texture”
Quote from Nicholas Kirkwood
Nicholas Kirkwood’s New Store;http://www.atelierswarovski.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/kirkwood.jpg
