99 | 01 Architects designed the store of Schott NYC brand in Athens, the one that launched the iconic perfecto leather jacket back in 1928, having as main design axis the creation of a link between brand’s past and future as well as the interpretation of its legacy with a contemporary architectural aspect.
-text by the authors
Schott NYC was established back in 1913 in the lower east side of Manhattan and launched the iconic perfecto leather jacket in 1928. The first ASYMMETRICAL motorcycle jacket is characterized by the main design principle of the modern movement – “form follows function”. The idea of its assymetrical shape has arisen from the need for a more comfortable fitting when riding a motorcycle. For the implementation of the jacket 41 pieces of leather and more than 100 metallic items are required. Yet, no ornament part can be noted on it, while every single detail has a functional purpose. There is an obvious visual connection between the jacket and iconic pieces of furniture of that time because of the use of stainless steel together with leather.
Making a comparison, one could say that the Perfecto jacket is the Mies van de Rohe Barcelona chair (designed in 1929) or Le Corbusiers LC4 (designed in 1928) in fashion terms.
Taking under consideration the legacy of the brand, the design objective focused on
– Creating a link between the past and the future
– The interpretation of the legacy with a contemporary architectural aspect, still defined by the archetype of the product.
Therefore the store is defined by a structure, that is combined of 41 asymmetrical black surfaces and metallic components that all refer to the perfecto consisting parts. The aforementioned structure extends within the 3 levels of the store contrasting the white background and distinguishing the positioning of the signature and the contemporary items of the brand’s collection. The “black” surfaces provide the exhibition space for the classic leather garments, while the “white” surfaces host the seasonal ones.
The alternation of black and white designed as a linear extended route forces the visitor to explore the retail space and interact with the brands legacy.
Facts & Credits
Project title Schott NYC Store
Typology Commercial
Architecture firm 99 | 01 Architects (Vassilis Arapidis, Eleni Kokkinaki)
Location Athens, Greece
Completion Date 2019
Photography Mariana Bisti
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