Located in the heart of the ultra trendy meatpacking district in New York City on West 14th Street, the lighting design in fashion designer Carlos Miele’s first store outside of Brazil is a stunning tribute to the eccentric clothing within. Architects Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote designed a dreamy, melting landscape with an artic palette under a drippy heat formed plastic ceiling.

As customers approach the store they are presented with wall planes infused with a crisp, white light in both the front display and in the back changing area. Once inside the store, the customer is presented with a flowing, seamless background that allows the colorful dresses to stand out. The changing area beyond envelopes the patron in a cocoon of pure light produced by cool-white T8 fluorescent strips recessed into the front of the changing room doors.

One of the most unique lighting elements within the store are the neon light rings built into the epoxy floor. Throughout the space, dresses float over rings of light. Four MR16 lamps spread equally around the ring uplight the dresses on the hanging mannequins above. A single MR16 lamp highlights each mannequin for a hidden niche above and reinforces the overall images of the mannequins pulling on the flat barrasol ceiling plane.

Wrapping around all of the lighting elements is a sensuous alter paying respect to Mr. Miele’s exciting designs. The unique lighting elements create a fun and electrifying environment in which customers may shop.