How Retail Spaces Are Using Art to Make An Impression

British footwear brand Kat Maconie turned an old London subway station into an artistic pop-up shop where shoes sit elevated on pedestals amid disco decor and fun colors.

Versace’s new retail as art showroom in New York features concept mirrors, inlaid brass tracks running along a polished concrete floor, and moveable furniture, allowing this minimalist shop floor to adjust to any exhibit that arrives.

Finally, Adidas invited IPaintMyMind to curate their flagship store in the Wicker Park area of Chicago with works created by local artists. The partnership with Adidas allowed IPMM to curate exhibitions for three financially strapped local schools at zero cost.

An Adidas spokesperson said the company wanted their largest “Originals” store to celebrate the pioneering culture and creativity of Chicago. True to form, in front of the Wicker Park store stands an original sculpture by Chicago artist, POSE. Inside, custom murals by southside Calligraffiti artist, Tubsz, adorn the walls. The store has an “L” train-inspired dressing room and a community wall where customers can share information about upcoming local events.

Were you to walk into any of these stores, you might be struck by a feeling you’re not used to feeling in retail spaces. The layout, color scheme, texture of the room, and works of strategically curated art might soothe, excite or invigorate you. Regardless of if you’re inspired to spend more money or not, the wave of art in retail is a testament to the palpable effect art can have on all of us.