When it comes to luxury Italian fashion, Max Mara is a brand that stands out for its impeccable style and sophisticated designs.
With a commitment to creating an inviting and luxury shopping experience, Max Mara collaborated with Light It Design to achieve a consistent and globally recognised lighting design to reinforce the brand’s signature style while adapting it to the Australian market and complying with Australian Lighting Standards.
The partnership between Max Mara and Light It Design began in 2017, with completion of their George Street Sydney flagship store in 2019, among the other projects.
This marked the beginning of a comprehensive rollout across all Max Mara stores and affiliated brands in Australia, still ongoing at today’s date.
To ensure the lighting design was noticed for the right reasons, we aimed to continue the “wow” factor while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere. With an understanding of shopping psychology and how light can influence a customer’s experience and perception, the team successfully implemented a lighting plan that positively influences a customer’s experience and, ultimately, drives sales.
One of the key tasks for Light It Design was the coordination of various services. In addition to lighting, support was provided for Electrical, Fire, Mechanical, and Audio-Visual systems as part of a unique package.
This level of coordination ensured a seamless integration of all services, and a smooth transition through the construction and commissioning phases.
Starting with the entrance, the lighting design aimed to create an inviting and engaging atmosphere, enticing customers inside to explore the store further. The clean bright ceiling serves a as a focal point and is accentuated by the shimmering brass spotlights. These captivating fixtures grab the attention of a passer-by, and sparkle from street view.
To accentuate the beauty of the garments and fabrics, we implemented a layered approach. Multiple light sources were carefully positioned to ensure proper illumination of the merchandise and fabrics, enhancing their visual appeal. This attention to detail extended to the changing rooms, where vertical lighting was used to reduce shadows on customers and offer excellent visibility of the outfit and its fit.
A mix of adjustable track lights and linear indirect lighting, integrated within the tracks, added versatility and flexibility to the overall lighting design. By bouncing light off the ceiling, a soft and diffuse illumination was achieved, further enhancing the ambience, and ensuring an even distribution of light throughout the store.
Max Mara’s brand is renowned for its elegance and sophistication, and the interior and lighting design embraced this tradition. To minimise reflection from the metallic finishes and feature wall, low glare spotlights were strategically positioned, to ensure that the focus remains on the displayed merchandise.
To guarantee the highest colour accuracy, a colour rendering index (CRI) of over 98 was employed. This ensured that the merchandise appeared as intended, allowing customers to perceive the true colours, details, and textures accurately. From the vibrant hues of a dress to the nuances of a fabric, the lighting design played a key role in presenting the merchandise in its best light.
Considering the importance of light levels in retail spaces, the lighting design emphasised both horizontal and vertical planes. By maintaining high light levels, the customers enjoy an enhanced overall experience, and the items for purchase are perceived more favourably.
Whether it’s one of their luxurious coats or an elegant handbag, the lighting highlights the quality and craftsmanship of each product, potentially influencing a customers’ purchasing decision.
“It was such a privilege to collaborate with powerhouse Max Mara, one of Italy’s luxurious and iconic brands. Our team at Light It Design is proud to have contributed to deliver a high quality result.”
From the entrance to the changing rooms, the spaces were perfectly illuminated. The synergy between Max Mara’s brand ethos and our lighting design expertise has resulted in an exceptional shopping experience that reflects their distinctive style and elevates their merchandise. It is through such collaborative ventures that we continue to push the boundaries of retail lighting design and create spaces that inspire.
If you’re looking for a lighting designer with retail expertise, get in touch today: light@lightit.global