Tory burch and humberto leon unveil new LA concept store with cat-inspired interior
Tory Burch has teamed up with American fashion designer and creative director Humberto Leon to create The Laboratory, a new concept store in Los Angeles on Melrose Avenue. The façade and interior of the pop-up shop are covered with the work of German photographer Walter Schels, depicting black-and-white portraits of cats mid-meow.
‘I have long admired Humberto’s creativity,’ says Tory Burch. ‘I was interested to see his take on our brand.’
all images courtesy of Tory Burch
walter schels brings cat-and-mouse game to tory burch store
Inside the new Los Angeles store, a playful game of cat and mouse unfolds. A large-scale image of a mouse is repeated on the outside of the building, while cat portraits fills the interior walls of the space. Tory Burch (find more here) was immediately drawn to the work of Walter Schels (find more here). The ready-to-wear collection of the fashion brand features Schels’ cat and bunny images printed on tops and skirts. ‘There’s a human element to Walter’s photographs, in the way he looks at the animals and they in turn look back,’ Burch shares.
‘The pictures are so arresting. It stops you in your tracks, and you question it. I know Tory is a lover of the arts, so I wanted to incorporate that,’ adds Humberto Leon (find more here). ‘I wanted it to feel like walking into an exhibition. There are few elements, but they are all strong.’ Humberto Leon also commissioned artist Aranza Garcia of Chuch Estudio in Merida, Mexico, to create a series of pink ceramic seats, which he positioned throughout the space in clusters of nine. A shag carpet, reminiscent of a cat tower, covers the floor and displays.
project info:
name: The Laboratory
brand: Tory Burch
in collaboration with: Humberto Leon
featured photography: Walter Schels
