CRIS BARROS STORE RECIFE

Carolina Maluhy + Partners

Short description

Cris Barros Store Recife by Carolina Maluhy + Partners is a Concept Store Design in Recife, Brazil.

The project was developed for the clothing brand Cris Barros, a Brazilian designer with a keen interest in research for her new creations. It marks the brand's first store in the northeastern region of Brazil, in the city of Recife, known for its rich traditions and cultural expressions stemming from indigenous, Portuguese, and Dutch influences, with vibrant colors present in arts, dance, culture, and gastronomy. We were inspired by the work of local artist Francisco Brennand, known for his studio museum in the city, yet globally recognized for his extensive artistic production, particularly in painting and ceramics. In addition to Brennand's colors and ceramics, which are prominent in the store's main spaces, we were inspired by the organic and colorful elements of the São Paulo architect Artacho Jurado, marking the rooms with large pillars of colorful ceramics.

The partnership between fashion designer Cris Barros and architect Carolina Maluhy is long-standing and has produced dozens of store projects for the brand, always aiming to enhance the functionality of spaces and renew aesthetics. For the city of Recife, a new concept was requested to represent the brand's identity and interests, resulting in a tribute to cultural heritage and local materials.

The primary material used was terracotta ceramic, present throughout the store's flooring and facade, combined with various colors in the wall and ceiling paints of each room, as well as colorful ceramic pillars, contrasted with darker elements such as black arches and wood from loose furniture and specially designed pieces for the store.

The store covers approximately 250sqm and is divided into four main areas – the green and terracotta rooms, featuring lounges and displays of clothing and accessories; the blue room, a more secluded area showcasing evening dresses; and the yellow room with fitting rooms, along with functional and technical areas restricted to staff.

The project is the result of extensive aesthetic and cultural research combined with fresh ideas, reflected in the designs of new furniture and display racks, as well as in the combination of various colors, materials, and influences. The biggest challenge was to replace the purer and more minimalist concept of the previous stores with a new, maximalist, and vibrant one, symptomatic of the new times and of the city where the project is located, Recife.