The shoe is firmly on the other foot in this luxury retail project where one design icon has deferred to another to create their lavish boutique in London.

When French shoe designer Christian Louboutin sought to make his mark in a crowded retail space in London’s Harrods department store, he turned to British wunderkind Lee Broom.

As Brit design’s poster boy, baby-faced Broom is famed as much for his product design as he is his rich, award winning interiors for residential, retail and hospitality.

Observing Louboutin’s convention of launching boutiques that reflect the flavour of the city they inhabit, Broom has proved an inspired appointment.  A champion of the UK’s trades and manufacturing, Broom’s collections consistently express a contemporary take on traditional British typologies – his Harrods concept is no exception capturing the flair and spirit of Christian Louboutin whilst giving the space a quintessentially British twist.

Drawing on his own fashion training (and time spent working for Vivienne Westwood), Broom has fused drama and tradition into a signature space that marries moulded staccato ceilings and red carpets with Covent Garden inspired white fanned arches, etched glass clock faces reminiscent of Big Ben and glazed tile walls, suggestive of early 20^th Century finishes synonymous with the London Underground.

Showcasing his own part played in Britain’s design story, Broom’s handmade Crystal Bulbs make numerous appearances in the fit out; offsetting the contemporary light-boxes and his vibrantly upholstered Salon seating collection.

Sumptuously staged, the new boutique delivers on both brand’s inherent values.  The sense of “Best of British” is indisputable and the boldness of Louboutin is afforded all the drama it deserves.

Lee Broom

leebroom.com

Christian Louboutin

christianlouboutin.com

Images © marcuspeelphotography.co.uk