Announcing the final installation in our celebration of cutting-edge design. Building Fashion’s fifth installation's opening event is co-presented by architecture and design magazine PIN-UP. It will be unveiled on November 5th with the first ever stand alone retail installation by avant-garde newcomer Siki Im whose debut men’s wear collection was awarded by the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation, paired with architecture firm LEONG LEONG through a nationwide competition conducted by Architizer.com.
The Siki Im Store in association with PROJECT No. 8, who collaborated as a consultant, will be open to the public November 5th – November 15th daily noon to six p.m. The HL23 Tin will be transformed into an extremely alien environment. Clothing will be embedded beneath a supple layer of foam, reinforcing the dichotomy of two environments – public and private, visible and invisible.
The concept store, designed in collaboration with fashion designer Siki Im, radically transforms the existing space and breaks down the traditional norms of retail and exchange. The existing structure is filled end to end with a large ramp-form that creates a gathering space with undefined programmatic possibilities. Soy-based spray foam creates a supple surface for inhabitation. Visitors must remove their shoes before entering the space. Small niches and ledges are carved into the foam to create areas for display and seating. The clothes are embedded beneath the ramp on either end, encouraging visitors to explore the limits of the space and experience the garments in a very intimate environment.
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SIKI IM was born and raised in Cologne, Germany. After completing his Baccalaureate, he was drawn to architecture, and relocated to Great Britain, where he graduated with First Class Honors from the Oxford School of Architecture. Having worked as an architect in various cities around the world, Siki Im moved to New York City in 2001 where he worked for the progressive architecture firm, Architectonics. Numerous projects later he decided to take a break from architecture, and move onto fashion design. Siki Im was the Senior Designer for Karl Lagerfeld, and Helmut Lang. After years of designing for fashion houses he thought that it was a good time to utilize his knowledge, as well as experiences in architecture, furniture, graphics, art, and music, manifesting it all into fabrics and shapes. LEONG LEONG is an award-winning design office practicing in the fields of architecture, urbanism and culture on a global scale.
LEONG LEONG explores innovative ideas and strategies to discover new ways to engage the city and its ever-changing cultural context. Since its founding in 2009 by brothers Christopher and Dominic Leong, LEONG LEONG has applied its expertise to a wide variety of projects, including an installation at W/ Project Space, a renovation of a historic townhouse in New York City, a low income housing proposal for Los Angeles, and a private home in Napa Valley. In addition, LEONG LEONG continues its on-going collaboration with fashion brand 3.1 Phillip Lim, developing store designs for their various locations throughout the world. The firm’s recently completed 3.1 Phillip Lim Flagship store in Seoul (2009) and Opening Ceremony boutique (2010) in the Ace Hotel have been widely featured in FRAME, Interior Design, Wallpaper, Surface and the New York Times. LEONG LEONG is the recipient of the 2010 New Practices Award from the American Institute of Architects. This biennial award is a platform to recognize new, innovative and emerging architecture firms within New York City.