Many of you have probably visited iconic concept stores such as Colette, Dover Street Market and Corso Como 10. My enduring passion for these hubs of creativity, design and fresh ideas is indelible.
These are places where you can discover new products, find inspiration, receive top-notch service, and often come across groundbreaking innovations.
While there were only a handful of concept stores a few years ago, there are now at least 30 intriguing ones worth exploring.
The most recent one I visited is Maison 69 in Cairo, which is quite extraordinary.
This 43,000-square-foot space features 14 art installations by renowned Egyptian artists and combines fashion, an art gallery, a design shop, a florist, a bookstore (which spans the dramatic central staircase), a bakery cafe, and a co-working space.
When you enter the Joie de Vivre florist’s garden, you enter a living room where you can purchase remarkable home accessories.
At first glance, it appears to be the entire store.
But when you open the steel and glass door, you’ll be greeted by 69 mannequins, the “guests of the house”.
They lead you into the “bedroom” with captivating visuals that create a dreamlike atmosphere.
As you explore the bedroom, you’ll come across an extensive wall of books (3500!), along with a staircase that leads to the men’s area.
Once again, the interior design will leave you in awe.
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