The arrival of Louis Vuitton‘s standalone store in Amsterdam, almost two decades ago, sparked the foundation of a luxury market in the Netherlands. Mind you, the Dutch capital has since quietly transformed into a leading high-end shopping destination in the Benelux region, and to such an extent that it has started to rival the far more established upscale retail arenas of Antwerp and Brussels. Continuously seeking local expansion opportunities, Louis Vuitton first tested the water in 2018 with a pop-up store at de Bijenkorf department store in Rotterdam, the country’s second biggest city. As of late, it has renewed its presence on the premises, but this time with a permanent shop-in-shop. Situated on the ground floor, the retail space is demarcated by a robust façade and large windows overlaid with filigree-like screens depicting the luxury brand’s iconic monograms. Designed by Louis Vuitton‘s in-house design team, the retail space sees modern modular furnishings for both the women’s and men’s sections, captured in warm natural materials that ooze luxury, and to add character, these are interspersed with pieces by Dutch designer Dirk van der Kooij and Piet Hein Eek, in addition to carefully sourced 1950s vintage designs by Louis van Teeffelen and Friso Kramer. The women’s department additionally features a striking photograph of London-based Norwegian lensman Sølve Sundsbø. As said, the new Louis Vuitton shop-in-shop caters to female and male clients, featuring bags, small leather goods, shoes, and as olfactory bonus, the full range of Les Parfums de Louis Vuitton. The avid LV fanbase is able to personalise purchased trophies as a service is available on-site. Mind you, to commemorate the opening, a special stamp has been made depicting the sleek contours of Erasmus Bridge, the city’s ultimate landmark.

Images © Louis Vuitton

Photography: Stéphane Muratet