The Jil Sander boutique is one of four different retail spaces in Shanghai that Italian parent company OTB has launched in an ambitious endeavour to raise its profile in China. Following last month’s opening of a new outpost in Shenzhen, it’s only the second Jil Sander store in the country. Situated at JC Plaza shopping centre in the city’s Nanjing Xi Lu area, it occupies a 600 sqm. (6,458 sq.ft.) unit spread across two floors and features an interior design by creative designers Luke and Lucie Meier in collaboration with London-based architect and designer John Pawson. The striking open lattice façades, both outdoors and indoors, are crafted from red Chinese granite, a material which has also been extensively used indoors. The chosen design codes are anchored by simplicity and understatement, but also take into account a balance between light, colour, line and materials, and obviously without compromising functionality. Jil Sander‘s affiliation with nature and life outdoors was first demonstrated in 2019 during Salone del Mobile in Milan with a lush plant installation by artist Linda Tegg at the brand’s headquarters. For this new retail space, the husband-and-wife duo initiated a new and related project which sees the store adorned by a monthly rotation of green plants and flower installations in specially handcrafted pots. The new Jil Sander store stocks the brand’s full range of men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, shoes, bags, small leather goods and jewellery pieces.

Designed by John Pawson

Images © Jil Sander

Photography: Sui Sicong