Today, as the boundaries between retail, fashion, art and architecture become increasionly blurred, the bottest fashion designers and fashion houses are working with architects and artists of exceptional talent and international reputations; together, they are reshaping the world of fashion architecture. Fashion and design have collided in an explosive fusion: the new boutique. Here, Neil Bingham examines the most cutting-edge fashion boutiques of the twenty-first century in the leading fashion capitals of the world: London, Milan, Paris New York and Tokyo. These exclusive stores range from entire buildings that are new city landmarks to intimate shops favoured by the fashion and design cognoscenti, This is the designed world of luxury shopping, where famous fashion designers present their exclusive collections, and clients cross thresholds between fantasy and desire.

Fabric. Structure, Materials ...architects and fashion designers have discovered that they have much in common. With a perceptive understanding of their shared values and language, and backed by stunning photography of each boutique, Neil Bingham discusses how the boutique design reflects and endorses the fashion designer's look. Sometimes it is subtle, as with Frank Gehry's titanium sculpture whirling through lssey Miyake's New York boutique, evocative of the innovative flowing lines and movement of Miyake's garments. Sometimes the design metaphor is enjoyably evident, as when Philippe Starck imitates the cheeky-chic and elegance of Jean Paul Gaultier's collection. And sometimes the new boutique is novel and radical, the outcome of such associations as architects Rem Koolhaas and Herzog & meuron working with Prada to create Epicenters in New York and Tokyo of stunning technological beauty.

In his engaging introduction, Neil Bingham traces the historical development of the new boutique, from the French Art Deco boutique through the Pop boutiques of 1960s London, and discusses the rise of today's global fashion industry, This lavishly presented book is a compelling reference for anyone interested in architecture, design or fashion worldwide

 

Neil Bingham is an independent writer on architecture and contemporary culture, based in London and North America. From 1986 to 2003 he was a curator of prints and drawings at the Royal lnstitute of British Architects, London. His publications include the highly successful book Modern Retro: Living with Mid-Century Modern Style(2000).