Vhernier in Kuwait City by Ezio Riva: a refined exhibition
and commercial space with an essential and rigorous design
The Vhernier space in Kuwait City is the most recent development by architect Ezio Riva’s studio for the famous Italian high jewelry brand, for which it has been following the design of boutiques since 2002. The “concept store” used for this “flag ship store” evolves consistently with the research done by the brand for its jewelry production. Both share precious materials with natural coloring. The space is conceptualized in an essential and particularly rigorous design, much like the brand’s jewelry itself. This refined showroom and retail space highlights a precise color choice. A choice where natural materials such as metals, wood, stones, fabrics and Murano glass interact with each other, from white to beige, from cream to moka, shifting to bronze and introducing hues in coral red and plum purple. The windows of the Kuwait City boutique that open onto the spaces of the mall ‘The Avenues’ are punctuated in vertical bands of satin bronze, alternating with vertically striped luminous partitions, almost reminiscent of the curling of a large curtain, cut in intervals of irregular heights. Inside the bronze bands are precious display cases, lined with beige alcantara. The jewelry is presented inside them, resting on displays of the same color. We find the vertical partitions of the exterior in the
interior, chasing each other by alternating materials obviously more suitable for furniture. Leather and oak wood, which are characteristic of the brand’s concept, alternate with vertically striped white chalk partitions and polished ‘Eramosa’ marble backgrounds, also featuring non-uniform vertical streaks, varying from cream to moka, intended to enhance the vertical nature of the spaces. On one wall, artist Eva Germani was commissioned to depict Calla lilies on a gold leaf base. Calla lilies are flowers that represent the design link for one of the brand’s best-selling jewels. The beige marble floor streaked with brown echoes the vertical streaks of the plaster and marble on the walls depicting a continuous search between materials with a strong graphic presence. The sales tables, display cases and seats are all designed by studio Ezio Riva for Vhernier and made in Italy by a company specializing in “custom made” furniture. The tables are in natural beige leather with exposed stitching and lenticular bronze legs. The seats at the sales tables are upholstered in soft Loro Piana fabrics in plum purple and coral red, all with leather handles on the backrest and oak legs. The VIP lounges, reserved for business discussions with special customers, feature sofas in plum purple with beige leather armchairs. In the center of the room there is a large chandelier with impressive dimensions (3.50 meters high with a diameter of 1.50 meters) custom made by the Venini glass factory in Murano. The glass modules make up a spiral in varying heights and are in crystal, amber and straw yellow colors.
For more information please visit: www.architettoriva.info
