Delvaux debuts in Dubai by Vudafieri-Saverino Partners

Article source: Vudafieri-Saverino Partners

Founded in Brussels in 1829, Delvaux is the oldest and amongst the most prestigious luxury leather goods company in the world. With more than 40 international stores, today the Maison makes its grand entrance into the Middle East and lands at the Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates, the largest mall in the world.

This project too was entrusted to the Italian studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners, which has signed the worldwide concept of Delvaux stores since 2012.

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

• Architects: Vudafieri-Saverino Partners
• Project: Delvaux debuts
• Location: Dubai
• Photography: Xavier Ansart
• Design team: Elena Pessina and Vanessa Ramponi
• Total area of intervention: 213 sqm

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

This concept uses the language of interior decoration to recount the brand, with a narrative capacity that interprets the context, tradition, savoir-faire and contemporary creativity of the brand with an ever-changing language. Each location has a corresponding unique boutique, in which the Delvaux universe gives life to a personal and intimate dialogue between the Maison’s creations and magnificent works of museum quality decorative art.

In Dubai, the challenge was to represent the brand’s almost two centuries of activity and its nature as an icon of high craftsmanship. From the invention of the modern handbag with the first leather model in 1908 to an archive that counts more than 3,000 pieces – including the iconic The Brillant (1958), The Tempête (1967), The Pin (1972) and The Lingot (2022), all handmade – to the fact that it has been the official supplier to the Royal Court of Belgium since 1883.

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino have interwoven design, art and architecture to reflect the brand’s savoir faire, heritage and craftsmanship in the new boutique: amidst imposing, modern creations, elegance sometimes allows itself to play with irony.

On the Fashion Avenue of the Dubai Mall, the space opens on a display with clean lines in shades of optic white outlined in black: a sort of treasure chest that opens onto a large fabric- covered portal which immediately reflects the brand’s refinement, sophisticated taste and attention to detail.

The atrium is characterised by curved wall units that represent a contemporary version of traditional Flemish furniture, combining intimacy and comfort with functionality. This hallway faces a large portal adorned with a selection of antique leather-cutting tools from the Delvaux atelier in Brussels. Framed by a majestic marble cornice, a small bar with a custom-designed counter in the same material, with a nickel velour finish, embodies the typical traditions of European cafés, synonymous with gathering, exchange and conviviality. Here, the lounge area hosts armchairs with pouf Angolo by Tato, a re-edition of a great design classic signed by Corrado Corradi Dell’Acqua in 1963.

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

A vestibule covered in fabrics in soft burgundy tones with pale gold niches leads to the VIC (Very Important Costumer) lounge decorated with custom-made wallpaper inspired by the De Stijl style and the designs of Piet Mondrian, in sophisticated pale gold metallic shades on a silver background: an invitation for customers, who are in reality guests, to discover the collections in the comfort of an exclusive and dedicated space. The floors are in Point de Hongrie natural oak parquet and the walls have been treated in Marmorino, a stucco decoration inspired by marble that enriches surfaces through sophisticated plays of asperity and texture. The Inge sofa by Marta Sala Édition and two Little Big Chairs by Norr11 are standout features of the space.

At the inauguration, visitors were greeted by a stunning showcase inspired by the Atomium, one of Belgium’s symbols, erected for the 1958 Brussels Universal Exhibition, the year of the creation of The Brillant, one of the Maison’s iconic bags that has become a true icon in the world of leading luxury brands.

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

This is the visionary strength of the Delvaux universe, which Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino have been able to affirm by proposing each time in a different and original way boutiques in which the belgitude of the historic leather goods is well connoted but also harmoniously introduced into the conceptual and cultural fabric of the various countries. A sort of fusion where the elements harmonise while remaining distinct and respectful of each other.

“It is a pleasure and a commitment for Delvaux to be present in such a diverse and cosmopolitan city” commented Jean-Marc Loubier, CEO of Delvaux. “We are here to meet and establish a real dialogue with new customers whose discerning tastes we know, bringing a different offer that combines genuine traditions, know-how, extreme quality and lively creativity. We aim to establish close relationships with our customers under the sign of the timeless values of our Maison”.

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Image Courtesy © Xavier Ansart

Tags: Dubai

Categories: Interiors, Showroom

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