Menswear brand Lestrange is preparing to open its doors in the bustling retail district of Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London. The brand’s focus on biophilic design sets it apart, as the founders aim to create a space that not only showcases their clothing but also offers visitors an immersive and sustainable experience.
Co-founded by Tom Horne and Will Green, Lestrange is committed to pursuing degrowth in the fashion industry. Their motto, ‘With Less, Do More’, captures their belief in minimalist fashion and ethical production. To ensure their store reflects their commitment to sustainability and nature-inspired design, the brand has partnered with biophilic design specialist Oliver Heath to develop a blueprint.
To bring their vision to life, Lestrange collaborated with British designer Fred Rigby, who shares their passion for creating a unique and environmentally conscious retail experience. The store incorporates repurposed felled wood from London plane trees, which forms partitions and cocoons throughout, showcasing Lestrange’s dedication to using repurposed materials. Bespoke furnishings made from the same wood can be found throughout.
The standout feature of the store is ‘The Meadow’, a special installation of natural dried blooms and grasses conceptualized by garden designer Lottie Delamain. This element adds a calming and visually pleasing touch, reinforcing Lestrange’s biophilic design principles.
The main island in the store is constructed from repurposed plane wood, with the countertop made from recycled plastic yogurt pots courtesy of Smile Plastics. Sustainable wall finishes come from Clayworks, a Cornwall-based brand that creates eco-friendly plasters using unfired clays and minerals. This commitment to using sustainable materials ensures that the store remains environmentally friendly without compromising aesthetics.
Japanese-inspired paper lampshades suspended at different heights throughout the store add an ethereal and tranquil ambiance, enhancing the immersive experience for visitors.
At the center of the store is the ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, designed to showcase rotating brands, artists, projects, and products. This feature not only keeps the shopping experience fresh but also allows Lestrange to support and collaborate with like-minded individuals and businesses.
The store will highlight a curated selection of Lestrange’s seasonless capsule clothing, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to sustainability and longevity in fashion. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to purchase bespoke furniture, enabling them to bring a piece of Lestrange’s unique design aesthetic home.
Horne and Green hope that the new biophilic retail model and the store at Coal Drops Yard will initiate a conversation around retail and challenge current perspectives. They see their stores as gateways to their universe and believe that creating an immersive, multi-sensory experience will exceed customer expectations.
Lestrange’s new store represents a step towards a more sustainable and nature-inspired approach to retail. By blending biophilic design principles with their minimalist fashion ethos, the brand aims to not only showcase their clothing but also inspire a shift in consumer attitudes towards conscious and responsible shopping.
Additionally, Lestrange plans further expansion in the future, with the aim of opening more stores that follow the biophilic design concept.
Useful Links:
– Lestrange Official Website
– Coal Drops Yard Official Website
