Often seen as being overshadowed by neighbouring powerhouse Singapore, Kuala Lumpur is a dynamic powerhouse in its own right, and interestingly, its metropolitan area is home to more people. Needless to say, life in the Malaysian capital is pretty good and comes with a lifestyle infrastructure that’s second to none, also in terms of high-end shopping. The local affluence has already pulled a large number of leading luxury brands, and the latest to arrive is Acne Studios. The Stockholm-based brand has secured a lofty unit on the premises of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, one of the city’s upscale shopping centres. Situated on the second floor, the retail space is a collaborative effort of Acne Studios‘ creative director Jonny Johansson and Halleröd, an architecture practice and longtime collaborator based in Stockholm.

Similar to many of the brand’s shops, the retail space sees an infusion of prink granite, cladding not only the store façade, but also extending indoors, covering the floor and a series of stone-clad pillars and contrasting with the softer, tactile forms of another longtime collaborator, London-based furniture designer Max Lamb‘s undulating seating. Offering another intriguing visual layer are French designer Benoît Lalloz‘ light fixtures in geometric stainless steel and strewn across the ceiling in a dynamic configuration. Additionally, the Frenchman’s strip lighting draws out the depth and colour of the granite. This striking dialogue between materials and shapes reflects the brand’s forward collections, which are rooted in ideas of juxtaposition, creativity and play. The new Acne Studios store carries men’s and women’s apparel, accessories and shoes and accessories. © superfuture