Stores with architectural wow factor

Luxurious elegance awaits the fashion-conscious clientele at BEHF-designed 2006FEB01 in Plankengasse, a short distance from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The simple gray concrete floors and ceilings provide a contrast to the beige reptile leather wall coverings. Racks finished in polished special steel carry exclusive collections created by Designers such as Ungaro and Vera Wang. Bags and shoes are draped decorously over violet seating elements. The generously proportioned changing rooms grab shoppers’ attention with their striking tendril design, and modern chandeliers put 2006FEB01 in the best possible light.

Architect pairing Kühn Malvezzi have restricted themselves to two-tone black and white at Mühlbauer Mode in Seilergasse a short distance away. Here you can find young designers alongside British labels including Vivienne Westwood and John Smedley.

This is contrasted by the opulent design of the Amicis Women Store by architect Denis Kosutic. Four colourful room boxes are dedicated to the themes Flower Power, Neo-Baroque, James Bond and Boudoir. The first floor is an ode to a classic salon. The new menswear shop in Tuchlauben operates under the motto "Dragon Luxury" and makes ample use of Chinese opulence. The fashion ranges from Halston to Givenchy for the women, and from Tom Ford to Lanvin for the men. 

A short hop along the Danube Canal and followers of fashion are led to Song in Praterstrasse. Architect Gregor Eichinger has taken his cue from industrial design in this beautiful old building – artistically scraped walls and powerful ceiling lamps give the main room a trashy appeal and put the designs by A.F. Vandevorst, Bernhard Wilhelm and Dries van Noten in the spotlight. Creations by Balenciaga await in the side room.

PARK in the creative Neubau district is already something of a classic with its wall-to-wall white. White not only features on the walls and ceilings at this SPACE+ designed concept store – even the coat hangers are painted white. Downstairs the selection is dominated by avant-garde talents such as Ann Demeulemeester and Bless, while the first floor is given over to Austrian labels including Pelican Avenue and Edwina Hörl.