Piers Atkinson’s - The Labyrinth
A pop-up retail experience imagined as a theatrical journey through the surreal world of British milliner Piers Atkinson.
The Labyrinth transforms retail into a stage - where fashion, fantasy and spatial design collide.
The Theatrical Encounter
Stepping into The Labyrinth is like entering a stage mid-performance.
This concept draws on the surreal theatricality of Piers Atkinson’s millinery and invites visitors to lose themselves in a dreamlike spatial narrative.
With references to optical illusion, circular motifs, and unexpected transitions, the experience was designed to feel both familiar and fantastical — much like stepping through the looking glass or falling down the rabbit hole.
Through the Looking Glass: Spatial Transformation
Concept sketch- Narrative begins. a theatrical swirl of movement, form and mystery - a sketch that initiates the journey.
Concept Sketch- Spatial Flow. Layered motion and circular logic to inform spatial choreography.
Paper Concept model. An abstracted Labyrinth takes form in physical spaces - folded and curved paper, tight corridors, implied performance.
Initial Floor Plan - The sketch solidifies - geometry balances whimsy with structure in a defined plan.
Foam Core model with Arched Entry. Material and scale come into play - the entry gestures towards immersion and illusion.
Sectional Axonometric. Inside the volume: theatrical moments rendered in line work, showcasing layered activities and curved forms.
Vignette of Discovery. A closer slice of the interior reveals layered textures, playful forms and unexpected silhouettes - inviting exploration from every angle.
Final Reveal. The space opens up in full- merging whimsical form with theatrical function. A spatial crescendo captures the surreal spirit of performance.
Perspective Exterior View. A sculptural facade draws visitors into a surreal world - its arches hinting at the theatrical journey within.
Floor plan. the plan reveals the spatial choreography of The Labyrinth. - curves, thresholds and moments of pause designed for immersive discovery.
Rendered Entry - Exterior View. A bold entry beckons - an invitation to step through the looking glass.
Rendered Interior elevation. Inside, the narrative unfolds with layered objects. reflections and shifting perspectives.
The Labyrinth. It stands complete - enigmatic, theatrical and ready to draw the curious in.
Designing Illusion: A Spatial Reflection
“I can’t go back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”
— Alice, “Through the Looking-Glass
