Vintage glamour meets the light neutral notes of Karndean’s Pearl Oak in Rixo’s new Carnaby store.
Progressive, painterly fashion brand RIXO has paired up with Karndean Designflooring for its latest store interiors - the result of which are effortlessly stylish and elegant.
Since the 1960s, Carnaby has been the epicentre of culture and lifestyle, housing ground-breaking fashion brands such as Mary Quant, Vivienne Westwood and Cranks vegetarian restaurant, and underground music bars hosting iconic bands from The Who to The Rolling Stones.
RIXO’s desirable vintage inspired one-off pieces pay homage to these trailblazing pioneers with a look that’s contemporary, yet also a future classic. Designed to be easy-to-wear and inclusive, each item features a fusion of original hand-painted prints and flattering silhouettes to inspire confidence.
Following the success of several pop-up stores in the area, RIXO’s new Carnaby Street store offers a welcoming environment and the tailored experience that today’s discerning customer expects. Committed to sustainability and an ethical supply chain, RIXO opted to work with local design studio Cúpla, and Karndean - a family run British brand now celebrating its 50th anniversary in the flooring industry.
The store beautifully captures the atmospheric glamour of the 1960s and 70s, combining this with current trends and a keen eye for detail. A calming palette of cool off-white is contrasted against rich deep blues and warm wood design panelling and flooring.
Pearl Oak from Karndean’s LooseLay Longboard range balances the boutique’s light and dark tones, reflecting both traditional timber flooring and the modern preference for light neutral tones. The extra-long planks have been laid at an angle for a sense of flow that can guide customers around the store.
Gemma Munday, retail growth manager at RIXO, said: “We like every store to be highly individual. As our clothing designs are inspired by vintage fashions, so all our stores have unique artwork and fixtures that tell its own story. The aim for our Carnaby Street store was to create a grown-up feel with an empowering interior that would reflect our vintage inspiration yet also allow the personality of our clothes to shine. We looked for luxury fixtures that would give us a high end finish and a bespoke yet understated look.”
The brand’s vintage inspiration is reflected in a bespoke circular statement chandelier, which sits above a white marble table and a rug in RIXO’s signature leopard print. Completing the sophisticated look are unobtrusive brass display rails, setting off the colourful clothing perfectly.
Fleur Carson, commercial sales director at Karndean Designflooring, comments: “Experience is of the upmost importance when it comes to retail, particularly at the high end of the market. In light of the disruption of the pandemic and today’s economic challenges, resilient brands are adapting to offer consumers a personalised service. A comfortable in store environment is key to encouraging customers back into the physical store, with a natural feel and durable materials that can cope with high traffic.
“The timeless design and light organic tones of the Pearl Oak flooring creates a clean backdrop, allowing all attention to be focused on the clothing displays. Designed to authentically replicate the beauty of European oak, Pearl Oak features light pinky-beige tones, distressed grain details and a lightly brushed surface texture. The loose lay format is a highly practical choice for retail premises with a durable, quiet and scratch resistant surface. Should damage occur it is quick and easy to make repairs by simply lifting and replacing individual planks as required.”
