As far as holiday gifts go, Acne Studios seems to know exactly what makes us tick. The Swedish label is charming its way into this part of the world—and making a swift landing on our local shores. By means of a grand physical store, Jonny Johansson’s contemporary vision now sees its first entrance into the Southeast Asian region. With over 60 stores around the world, the fashion house now stakes claim to a prominent corner of the luxury stretch at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, a cemented response to the international demand it has garnered over the years.
One’s first encounter with the new physical outpost is instantly transformative; its modern, glass frame poised like an open box of curiosities left for the consumer to discover. With its clean and contemporary aesthetic, the space, imagined by Swedish design studio Halleröd, is synonymous with the design needle of the cult label. Featuring an exposed modular system of glass panels, architect Christian Halleröd explains: “With its brutal frankness, the space has a strong visual impact but at the same time is fragile and see-through thanks to the clear glass sheets.”
To fill the space, furniture designer and longtime partner of the brand Max Lamb contrasts the stark lines with soft, eclectic accents; where a range of graduated, nebulous shapes transform into seating for the store’s interior—taking its cues from the spontaneity of the spring/summer 2023 collection. As for the store’s windows, a hollow glass wall is filled out with bundles of similarly hand-dyed batik fabrics. Like a nod to the region’s art form, the colourful textiles are juxtaposed against the more cool, industrial touch points of the space.
Coming a long way from its denim roots established in 1996, the label recently celebrated its tenth year in the capital of France with their spring/summer 2023 show at Paris Fashion Week. Where the Palais de Tokyo was transformed into a pink playden that saw the eccentricities of weddings inspire a range of kitsch ensembles sent down the runway. And as part of the store opening in Singapore, a preview of this exact collection will be showcased throughout the store, accompanied by a range of the brand’s iconic Musubi bag for shoppers to peruse through.
Acne Studios is now open at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, B2 #81-83.
