British streetwear brand, Palace, is set to inaugurate its first independent retail store in Mainland China, within the historic district of Zhangyuan in Shanghai.
The store, which opens its doors to the public this Friday, draws inspiration from the traditional elements of Yuyuan Garden. It incorporates features reminiscent of the garden’s ponds, pavilions, and meandering paths. In an effort to maintain the authenticity and historic charm of the locale, the original facade of the garden has been preserved. The store’s entrance is marked by Palace’s iconic, mirrored tri-ferg logo suspended above it. The logo, a creation of Fergus Purcell, takes its cues from the Penrose Triangle, a work of Swedish artist Oscar Reutersvärd. The logo’s placement creates an illusion of angling downward from the building’s roofline.
Gareth Skewis, the founder of Palace, expressed that his frequent visits to China over the past two decades gave him the conviction that the time was right for the brand to make its debut in Mainland China. Skewis pointed out that the present cultural milieu, particularly the state of skateboarding and the contemporary youth culture in China, factored into his decision.
The interior of the store is a showcase of architectural elegance with limestone and stone tile finishes. It also flaunts LED columns and accents of gold and red, a nod to traditional Chinese rituals. The store’s design incorporates a pavilion-like structure at its heart, thus extending the garden concept throughout the space.
