BUDISM COUTURE
High-quality shop lighting for haute couture and high heels
Africa’s very first haute couture store, BUDISM COUTURE, has opened its doors in Cape Town. In the historic Maison at 88 Bree Street, in the heart of Cape Town’s central business district, the studio and showroom are combined to create a stylish space that brings together timeless elegance, perfect craftsmanship and modern art. In addition to the bespoke gowns created by Budi Adji and Philipp Althof, the label has now also launched its first shoe collection in an exclusive store for heels directly opposite the main store.
Precision in design
The interior design is centred around a clear, minimalist design language and the use of high-quality natural materials. Understated nuances of colour create a calm, almost sculptural environment where the heels are presented like art in a gallery. The targeted accent lighting highlights the silhouettes and materials of the shoes with precision and emphasises their quality craftsmanship.
Perfect staging
The shoe boutique is all about perfect staging. The MOVE IT 10 Pole with integrated track profile allows the NOBA insets to be positioned on both sides without tools, moved within the track and optimally aligned thanks to their 365° rotation and 90° pivoting. NOBA makes a stylish design statement, supports the clean aesthetics of the space and blends harmoniously into the overall scene. The mirrors are illuminated with precision so that customers can capture a selfie in the best possible light.
"NOBA perfectly showcases the heels when trying them on and make them look like little works of art."
Philipp Althof, Director BUDISM COUTURE
Haute Maison
The Maison on the opposite side of the street transports you into a world of the finest couture and is the centrepiece of BUDISM COUTURE. The building looks back on 240 years of history: once used as a wine cellar and general store, it now houses a studio, showroom and head office. The reception and showroom are defined by simple, timeless, classic aesthetics. The spiral steel staircase – an architectural masterpiece – connects the studio to the workshops on the upper floor. European oak herringbone parquet flooring, white panelled walls, and carefully selected pieces of furniture and art create a tranquil setting that perfectly showcases the exquisite couture gowns on French tailoring mannequins.
Poetic artistry
In addition to the technical requirements – excellent colour rendering and flexible lighting ambiance – it was important for the light fittings themselves to become part of the design. Together with the architects Peerutin Karol, a concept was developed that emphasises the architecture in an unobtrusive way. Each light source should act as an invisible frame for the couture. The entrance area, staircase and works of art are accentuated with different light temperatures (3000 K and 4000 K) to create a harmonious overall atmosphere.
A magical space
The biggest challenge for the workshop studio was to find the balance between functional lighting and the desired atmosphere. The focus was on precise working light for fittings and for working on the gowns, while at the same time the room should radiate a certain magic so that customers immediately feel welcome. With neutral, uniform lighting at 3000 K and a colour rendering of CRI 90, you can truly appreciate the subtle nuances of the fabric.
"For us, the result is the perfect symbiosis of functionality and poetry: A lighting concept that supports our work and at the same time creates a breathtaking atmosphere. Our customers experience the spaces not just as a showroom, but as an immersive part of the BUDISM COUTURE world."
Philipp Althof, Director BUDISM COUTURE
Flash
We believe in the power of quality, craftsmanship and a strong sense of tradition, and incorporate these principles into every product that bears the BUDISM COUTURE name. With meticulous attention to detail and an uncompromising commitment to excellence, we strive to create garments that inspire beauty, sophistication and self-confidence in the people who wear them.
Inspiration arises wherever craftsmanship and art meet – in modern architecture, classical music or though the power of travel to open up new perspectives. Encounters with creative people all over the world inspire the thought process and flow into our designs time and again.
