Spanish sustainable fashion brand ALOHAS has chosen Clap Studio to design its very first flagship store in Barcelona, situated on the renowned Rambla Catalunya. This 100-square-meter store truly embodies ALOHAS’s fresh visual identity, which is characterized by a more powerful and daring aesthetic. By opening this flagship store, ALOHAS is taking a significant leap into the world of offline commerce, following its success in the digital realm.
During the design process, Clap Studio drew inspiration from ALOHAS‘s origins in Hawaii, which is also the inspiration behind its name. However, instead of embracing the typical “clean” and idyllic beach aesthetic associated with Hawaii, Clap Studio decided to focus on the aggressive and raw landscape that defines the archipelago.
The design concept draws from the volcanic landscape of Hawaii, particularly the lava tubes – the caves formed by the flow and subsequent cooling of lava. Àngela Montagud, the director of Clap Studio, explains, “The surface of a lava river cools and solidifies over time, creating underground rivers that, after an eruption, transform into tunnels with a magical appearance. This geological concept has been the foundation of our design.”
The ALOHAS flagship store presents itself as a volcanic grotto, blending the force of nature with sophisticated design. The metal furniture, with its sharp and aggressive shapes, mirrors the intensity of lava, creating a striking contrast with the serene ambiance of the store.
The ceiling lights represent openings that gradually form in the roofs of these tunnels, reconnecting them with the outside world. This interplay between the aggressive and the refined perfectly captures the duality of ALOHAS’s new image, offering visitors an immersive and unparalleled shopping experience.
ALOHAS, the fashion brand that has conquered the digital world, takes a decisive step towards offline commerce with their first physical store, encapsulating its essence in a space that invites customers to explore and discover, reflecting its journey from the online to the physical world. With this design, Clap Studio has not only created a retail space but an interior landscape that captures the identity and vision of ALOHAS.