Inside Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, Sergio Mannino Studio designed a compact 126 sq ft space for Leather Spa, the specialist in leather goods and accessory repair.
The project was developed in response to the wider renovation of the department store, creating a contemporary retail identity while retaining recognisable elements of the Leather Spa brand.
A compact shop-in-shop with a flexible display system
Given the limited footprint, the design focuses on maximising display capacity without visually overloading the space.
Leather Spa’s signature orange introduces the brand colour, while a white perforated metal mesh covers the main wall surfaces.
Beyond its visual role, the mesh functions as a flexible merchandising system, allowing products and accessories to be repositioned according to changing display requirements.
Custom cabinetry and three-dimensional ceramic surfaces
Around the perimeter, Sergio Mannino Studio introduced custom wooden cabinetry designed to make efficient use of the available floor area.
The cabinetry rests on a base clad with three-dimensional ceramic elements by Mutina, introducing texture at the lower level of the interior while maintaining a restrained material palette.
The combination of white metal, timber, ceramic and the brand’s orange accent creates a clear hierarchy between architectural surfaces, display elements and merchandise.
Brand identity within the Saks Fifth Avenue environment
The design balances the visual language of the renovated department store with Leather Spa’s existing identity.
Rather than reproducing a conventional enclosed boutique, the project uses a small number of materials and bespoke elements to define the corner as an autonomous retail space within Saks Fifth Avenue.
Retail Store Design, Furniture and Interiors: Sergio Mannino Studio
Design: Sergio Mannino, Martina Guandalini
Location: Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, USA
Area: 126 sq ft / 11 sqm