Carine Gilson Flagship Store in Brussels, Belgium by david/nicolas.

A Carine Gilson flagship in the heart of Brussels is David/Nicolas’ first boutique concept. Over the last seven years, the Beirut-based design duo made up of David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem has worked across product, furniture, residential, and restaurant design to lots of buzz and critical acclaim – including Red Dot and Wallpaper accolades. With a deep affinity and curiosity for beautiful materials and craftsmanship, the duo seems like a natural choice for Carine Gilson. The Belgian lingerie designer is known for her fine, haute couture-style kimonos, déshabillés, chemise sets, and swimwear, made my hand using Lyon silk and Chantilly lace.

Created to resemble an intimate but polished and contemporary boudoir, the store’s colour and material palette has been selected to evoke earth, bare skin, and blush. Like many David/Nicolas ideas, there is a textural interplay of light to heavy, and soft to hefty. Silver vein-cut titanium travertine walls meet plush terracotta carpet, pistachio velvet display drawers, Carine’s floating silk designs, and glass and brass accents throughout.

The Carine Gilson bird of paradise motif appears as door handles and braces between half-moon mirror. Fitting rooms are large and spacious at 8 square metres, adding to the private theatre and luxury of the store. A timber semanier is centre stage opposite a rose pink velvet sofa, so guests and customers can witness the ritual of folding kimonos.

See more projects by David/Nicolas on Yellowtrace.

[Images courtesy of david/nicolas. Photography by Frederik Vercruysse.]