AMO-Designed Off-White Flagship Store opens in Paris

Off-White’s new flagship store in Paris has opened, introducing a design in which the high-end and the casual meet. Two blocks away from Place Vendôme, Off-White Paris extends over three floors in a 19th century corner building, gradually revealing to the visitor a repertoire of contrasting ambiences...

From the architect: Two blocks away from Place Vendôme, Off-White Paris occupies a 19th century corner building at the intersection of Rue de Castiglione and Rue du Mont Thabor. The space combines Parisian elegance with industrial rawness, rethinking Parisian high-end retail. A courtyard, a gallery and a market extend over three floors, gradually revealing to the visitor Off-White’s diverse identity.

Under the arches of Rue de Castiglione is the store’s main entrance – a semi-circular vestibule of corrugated glass – which leads to the ground floor’s centerpiece: a reinterpretation of the typical Parisian courtyard, containing the women’s collection. Framed by arches inspired by the street’s portico, the courtyard’s walls and floors are cladded in white travertine. Sober and refined, the courtyard induces a calm and slow shopping experience but can also accommodate dynamic events such as fashion shows. The entrance on Rue du Mont Thabor leads to what feels like a completely different store. Light blue walls and a black terrazzo floor, filled with AMO-designed freestanding furniture, showcase Off-White’s brand partnerships.

The store’s multifaceted identity is further reinforced by the design of the upper floors. In the intimate atmosphere of the mezzanine, with its low ceiling and small windows, a space inspired by the aesthetics of the gift shop hosts the kids’ and homeware collections, as well as an exhibition wall. On the second floor, for the men’s collection, the high ceiling and large windows facing the city create a luminous, clear space, which can be easily reconfigured for concerts, art shows and parties. A foldable box finished with Sottsass-red veneer conceals the bar and the back of house. The floor accommodates freestanding display elements designed by AMO – metallic clothing racks, wooden tables and white travertine shelving systems – echoing the Parisian flea market. Contrasting combinations of textures and colors emphasize the store's repertoire of ambiences, creating an abstract reinterpretation of Paris.

Ellen van Loon and Samir Bantal: “Where does streetwear end and high fashion begin? Over twenty years ago, Sarah Andelman's Colette was the predecessor of modern experiential retail, one of the first concept stores where streetstyle met luxury. Fast forward to 2021, a couple of blocks away from where Colette sat, the new Off-White store in Paris represents the brand's multifaceted identity as a cultural channel broadcasting style, media and fashion, humbly saluting Colette and drawing from its irreplaceable legacy.”

Virgil Abloh: “Working with AMO is a synergistic process. The way we ideate is similar – nothing is off limits – and the outcome at Off-White Paris is greater than I could have ever imagined.”

Architect: AMO
Location: Paris, France
Partner: Ellen van Loon
Director AMO: Samir Bantal
Project Architect: Giulio Margher
Design Team: Lina Jaidi, Camille Filbien, Natalie Konopelski, Valerio di Festa, Alexandru Tintea, Claudio Araya, Yushang Zhang, Giada Zuan
Collaborators: De Studio (chandeliers) Barbarito Bancel Architectes (local architect)
Photography: Benoit Florençon, Courtesy OMA

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