History of Christian Lahoude Studio
Christian Lahoude Studio, founded in 2012 by architect and creative director Christian Lahoude, is a New York-based architecture and design firm specializing in high-end retail environments. The studio has collaborated with numerous luxury brands, including Alexander Wang, Jimmy Choo, and Harrys of London, to create bespoke retail experiences that reflect each brand’s unique identity.
Before establishing his own firm, Christian Lahoude gained extensive experience in luxury retail design. He served as Design Director at Tiffany & Co., where he led store architecture and design initiatives worldwide. Prior to that, he was a Lead Designer in Gucci‘s Store Design Department, contributing to key rebranding efforts. Lahoude also honed his skills at Peter Marino Architect, working on high-end retail spaces for clients like Chanel.
Since its inception, Christian Lahoude Studio has been dedicated to creating exclusive retail experiences through curated and collaborative interior design. The studio works closely with creative directors of top fashion brands to understand their brand’s character and translate it into architectural spaces that resonate with customers. This approach has led to the design of flagship stores and boutiques in major cities worldwide, including New York, Milan, Tokyo, and London.
The studio’s portfolio includes a diverse range of projects, from developing new store concepts for established luxury brands to assisting emerging designers in expanding their retail presence globally. For instance, the collaboration with Alexander Wang involved establishing the brand’s retail concept and designing stores in locations such as Tokyo, Bangkok, and Shanghai.
Christian Lahoude Studio continues to influence the luxury retail landscape by crafting environments that not only showcase products but also create memorable experiences for customers, reinforcing brand identity through thoughtful and innovative design.
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Company Culture at Christian Lahoude Studio
The studio’s work culture emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and attention to detail. Team members are encouraged to work closely with clients to understand their brand’s character and translate it into architectural spaces that resonate with customers. This approach fosters a dynamic and engaging work environment where designers can contribute to a variety of projects and develop innovative retail concepts.
Employees at Christian Lahoude Studio have noted the fast-paced nature of projects, which are built quickly, providing valuable experience in a short amount of time. This environment offers opportunities for rapid skill development and exposure to high-profile clients in the luxury retail sector.
The studio values a diverse and inclusive team, recognizing that a variety of perspectives contributes to the creation of unique and effective design solutions. Team members are encouraged to bring their individual experiences and insights to the table, fostering a rich and collaborative work environment.
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Architect-US is proud to work in close contact with Christian Lahoude Studio and to be able to ensure the firm gets to know and work with amazing young architects like Alejada Memia whom we helped process her Visa and get a position at Christian Lahoude Studio through our Job+J1 Visa Program!
Alejada Memia
Alejada graduated with a Master of Science in Architecture in 2012 from the Polytechnic University of Tirana and has over 10 years of experience in the field. Throughout her professional career, She has expanded her expertise across various design fields, including architectural, landscape, interior, and infrastructural design. Her strengths include effective teamwork, exceptional organizational skills, a high level of professionalism and work ethic, strong communication abilities, and distinguished mediation skills with investors.
Christian Lahoude Studio’s Selected Projects
Alexander Wang – Tokyo, Japan
Christian Lahoude collaborated with Creative Director Alexander Wang to craft a bespoke design for Alexander Wang’s first standalone store in Japan. Situated within an existing landmark building, the store uniquely reflects the brand’s vision. The design seamlessly integrates Japanese architectural elements with the retail style that Lahoude developed for Alexander Wang’s international APM store in Shanghai. It features raw Japanese concrete, contrasted with white Italian Carrara marble and black Nero Marquina marble, along with polished bronze accents and floating glass shelves.
Photos by Christian Lahoude Studio
Jimmy Choo – Rome, Italy
The Jimmy Choo flagship store on the renowned Via Condotti in Rome showcases the latest design concepts from Christian Lahoude Studio. The standout feature of the store is the seamless blend of the old and the new, incorporating the existing structure with contemporary materials to create an exquisitely luxurious space.
Photos by Christian Lahoude Studio
Gucci – New York, USA
In 2008, Gucci’s relocation to 5th Avenue led to the creation of its largest store, spanning 46,000 square feet across three glass-enclosed levels. The design emphasizes transparency and light, creating an inviting, luxurious salon atmosphere that echoes the recently renovated, iconic Gucci store in Rome, while also complementing the dynamic New York City streetscape.
As a tribute to Gucci’s leather-goods heritage, Creative Director Frida Giannini dedicated a room to a heritage collection. This space was carefully designed to honor the Gucci legacy, featuring a video display and a rotation of exclusive, limited-edition pieces.
Photos by Christian Lahoude Studio
We will be posting more projects by Christian Lahoude Studio in the upcoming weeks and months, so keep an eye out for more of their incredible work! Every Friday we will be posting a new Featured Company, so join us again next week!
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