Hermès’s new Florence store showcases modern design within a historic Renaissance building. Crafted by RDAI, the store merges luxury with artisanal craftsmanship.
Hermès has opened a new boutique in Florence, situated on Via degli Strozzi within a Renaissance building dating back to 1578. The architectural firm RDAI was commissioned for the store’s interior design, with Denis Montel overseeing the artistic direction.
The store presents Hermès’s 16 distinct product lines. The interior features the brand’s iconic design details. Terrazzo, marble, and marmorino were employed for the flooring, while vibrant rugs add warmth to the space. The elliptical staircase is encased in Hermès leather, and the beauty section is adorned with glazed terracotta tiles. The ceiling is finished with copper lacquer, and the walls are embellished with plaster, marble, and paper coverings.
Andrea Mancuso designed bespoke wicker windows for the store, depicting Florence’s historical landmarks. Ateliers Horizons crafted custom furniture pieces. The store exhibits approximately 70 artworks, selected from the Émile Hermès collection and the Hermès Contemporary Photography Collection, including photographs by Paola De Pietri and Alex MacLean.
The store spans two floors, showcasing Hermès’s diverse product range. The restored Renaissance building incorporates local materials and colors in its interior design. The main hall features Hermès’s signature Faubourg pattern, and the perfume and beauty area is finished with terracotta tiles.
A marble staircase ascends to the second floor, where women’s shoes, apparel, and leather goods are displayed, alongside jewelry and watch sections.
The architectural vision behind the Hermès Florence boutique is distinctly that of Denis Montel, whose role as Artistic Director and Executive Vice President ensured meticulous oversight throughout the project’s development. A graduate of École d’Architecture Paris-La Défense, Montel’s early career was marked by interdisciplinary ventures, collaborating for a decade with firms specializing in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, scenography, and strategic design, thus cultivating a broad spectrum of expertise. Joining Rena Dumas in 1999, he played a pivotal role in supervising key RDAI projects. In 2007, he co-founded RDAI-Architecture alongside Rena Dumas and Nicolas Karmochkine. Montel’s discerning aesthetic is palpably evident in the Hermès Florence store, where he adeptly juxtaposed the historic Renaissance edifice with contemporary design elements, culminating in the creation of a space that is both singular and profoundly impactful
Image credit: Omar Sartor Studio