South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster is taking an important step in its expansion with the opening of its first European flagship in Paris. The trendy Marais district, popular with tourists, was chosen for this first French location. The opening will take place on October 24th.
Conceptual space and robotic installations
Gentle Monster is known for its innovative retail concepts that border on art installations. This new flagship store is no exception. The store is located at 132 Rue Vieille du Temple and presents the ‘Giant Head Kinetic Object’. The brand describes it as a “powerful installation that reflects the brand’s unique philosophy and fascination with the inner workings of the human mind.”
The structure was designed in-house by Gentle Monster’s robotics lab and consists of three faces. In the middle, a face gently closes its eyes and shakes its head. A second, larger face and another, smaller one move fluidly around it. “With its gently blinking eyelids and subtly moving pupils, the work captures the complexity of cognition, emotion and human connection,” the press release states.
Another notable element is the ‘Star’ object on the first floor, which interacts with the natural light. It projects a glow reminiscent of the morning sun. It contributes to a shopping experience that is a “poetic journey of introspection.”
The opening in Paris signals Gentle Monster’s intention to strengthen its position in the European market. By choosing the Marais, a historic and dynamic district, the brand positions itself in a prestigious environment. This is often chosen by foreign brands coming to Paris.
Recent news from the brand also includes the recent investment from Google. Last June, the internet giant announced the acquisition of a four percent stake in Gentle Monster. The transaction is worth around 107.3 million euros and will lead to the development of smart glasses. This reinforces the innovator status that the brand has maintained since its inception in 2011.
This article was created using digital tools translated.
FashionUnited uses artificial intelligence to speed up the translation of articles and improve the end result. They help us to make FashionUnited’s international reporting quickly and comprehensively accessible to a German-speaking readership. Articles translated using AI-based tools are proofread and carefully edited by our editors before they are published. If you have any questions or comments, please email [email protected]