New York, NY

The Background
In 2006 Té Casan commissioned Pompei A.D. to design its first signature, multi-level flagship store in the heart of SoHo.

With seven emerging shoe designers hand-selected by the brand to create a footwear collection under the Té Casan umbrella, this project required a design concept as compelling as the footwear itself. With collections ranging from crystal encrusted stilettos to high-end technical trainers, the retail space needed to be as welcoming and varied as the designs themselves. The Client
Té Casan, a specialty footwear brand exclusively for woman, was founded in 2006. The global brand, with offices in New York, Spain and Switzerland, offers customers hand-crafted, limited-edition footwear for every occasion in a distinctly innovative shopping environment.

The Concept
The name Té Casan, which is Gaelic in origin and translates to “a woman’s path,” was interpreted literally and figuratively by Pompei A.D. when conceptualizing the design. The space was imagined as an experiential retreat for women, a place in which every woman’s intrinsic appreciation of beautiful things would be catered to. Pompei A.D. considered the importance of each designer having the space to express their individual sensibility, while maintaining a cohesive sense of unity throughout the entire store.

The Design
Pompei A.D saw that the best utilization of the massive tri-level 7500 square foot store was to keep the interior space open and sweeping. Expansive store front windows and over-arching skylights add to the open and bright feel of the store, while the use of channel glass throughout the entryway sequence luminously filters in natural sunlight. Guests to the store are seamlessly led from the sidewalk into the vestibule and can navigate the three levels via a spacious, textured glass elevator or the winding spiral staircase comprised of brushed metal chains. The staircase, designed like an artisan piece of jewelry, slightly shimmers in the light. Two colossal stainless steel chandeliers reflect the grandeur of the space.

The lower level houses a specialty tea bar, and features concrete flooring specially treated to look like alabaster. On the main level, guests are welcomed by rich bamboo, and the grand mezzanine is covered in deep walnut, strategically engineered to artfully suspend in space, providing expansive views of the entire store.

Each designer has space allocated that speaks to their overall design sensibility. The images of each designer, represented as tiled mosaics, graphic photographs, or illustrated painted portraits will be on display in the store along with graphics that speak to each designer’s personal style and inspiration.

An essential element to the signature look of Té Casan is the use of materials reflecting the richness of the interior design. Supple leathers with exposed stitching have been hand-crafted into luxe seating, laminated wood in walnut, maple and zebra has been manipulated into bent tables and textured glass is used to create freestanding mirrored walls. Each floor of the store houses custom-made fitting booths built of wooden slats, rice paper or metallic rods draped in silk for those customers seeking a little privacy when trying on their footwear.

The Result
In early December, 2006, the first Té Casan store opened to great acclaim. Plans are currently underway for more stores in North America.