Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana commissioned Nicolas' Tokyo-based studio Curiosity to create a one-off design for its new store in the wealthy Aoyama district.
The result is a 550-square-metre space that uses dramatic contrasts between pale and dark surfaces to spotlight garments and accessories, with 400 spotlights across the ceiling that move around and switch on and off.
The lighting design creates pools of bright light and areas of intentional shadow to suggest the natural play of light on a sunny day. Walls and plinths are painted with matt-black paint, which was selected as the flat colour reflects the light to seem white when hit by the spotlights.
Each display plinth and surface is topped with a thin slab of pale Arabescato Carrara marble, and the floor is covered with matt-black ceramic tiles.The large staircase and a small room for the brand's fine jewellery collection are finished with gold-coloured walls and brass fittings including a brass ceiling and gold-toned carpet in the jewellery area – to contrast with the rest of the store.
Outside, the facade has a similar black finish, with slices cut out for windows lined using huge, thin pieces of Arabescato marble. A slab of black Carnico marble sits above the glass entrance, with an illuminated version of brand's logo.
