# Alabaster Flagship Stores Maison Margiela Reveals an All-White Retail Location in Milan By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2015-04-17 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maison-margiela References: [highsnobiety](http://www.highsnobiety.com/2015/04/17/maison-margiela-flagship-store-milan/) & [maisonmargiela](http://www.maisonmargiela.com/) [Maison Margiela](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maison-margiela-residences) joined forces with Wood-Skin, a Milan-based company dedicated to "redefining [the] possibilities of wood," for its new flagship store in the Italian capital. The two-storey space features a [whitewashed aesthetic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/white-is-good-shop) that's consistent with Maison Margiela's clean branding. Bright, simple and open, the ground floor is home to the brand's womanswear and accessories, while the equally-radiant first floor is dedicated to the haute couture garments and shoes. Keeping its location in Milan's historical center in mind, the space blends elements both classical and modern into its design. The floors range from concrete to tile, while the walls feature mirrors and strategically placed curtains to better divide the space. The Maison Margiela flagship store is ultimately a beautiful compromise of location, branding and space. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 59% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Whitewashed Aesthetic:** Opportunity for brands to adopt a simple and clean aesthetic in their stores and products. - **Blending Classical and Modern Elements:** Opportunity for architects and designers to blend traditional and contemporary design elements to create unique and visually appealing spaces. - **Location-inspired Design:** Opportunity for businesses to incorporate elements inspired by the history and culture of their location into their physical spaces. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion/apparel:** Opportunity for fashion brands to create flagship stores that reflect their brand identity. - **Architecture/design:** Opportunity for architects and designers to create visually appealing and unique spaces that blend traditional and contemporary elements. - **Retail:** Opportunity for retailers to incorporate location-inspired elements into their stores to enhance the customer experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sculptural Luxury Fashion Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-store-in-milan.md) - [Luxe Fashion Flagship Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/celine-miami.md) - [Curated Intimate Retail Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alaa-flagship-store.md) - [Raw Architecture-Inspired Retail Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balenciaga-flagship-store.md) - [Architecturally Inspired Luxury Boutiques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxury-boutique.md) - [Color-Accented Flagship Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valentino-flagship-stores.md) - [texturally artistic fashion stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/acne-studios-flagship-stores.md) - [Luxury Fashion House Residences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maison-margiela-residences.md) - [Parisian Flagship Boutiques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saint-laurent-avenue-montaigne.md)