L’Atelier Five is a London-based design studio known for crafting immersive environments for leading luxury brands, combining storytelling, precision, and artisanal execution. Among its most striking projects is the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama installation at Harrods, conceived as part of the global relaunch of the iconic collaboration. Transforming the department store into a vibrant, multi-sensory landscape, the intervention merges architecture, art, and retail into a unified experience. Through bold patterns, sculptural elements, and meticulous fabrication, the project exemplifies the studio’s ability to translate brand narratives into captivating spatial encounters that engage audiences on both emotional and urban scales.
The Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama project by L’Atelier Five is an immersive retail installation conceived as part of the global relaunch of the collaboration between the French luxury house and the Japanese artist. Developed for Harrods in London, the intervention operates at multiple scales, transforming both the exterior and interior of the department store into a unified experiential environment.
According to L’Atelier Five, the project involved the design, fabrication, and installation of a large-scale spatial concept that translates Kusama’s artistic universe into architectural form.
The studio’s approach is grounded in precision and prefabrication, with environments often fully produced off-site to ensure accuracy and efficiency during installation.
This methodology is particularly relevant in complex retail contexts, where time constraints and logistical challenges require highly controlled execution.
The installation draws directly from Kusama’s signature visual language, characterized by repetition, bold colour, and immersive patterning. At Harrods, these elements are deployed across façades, vitrines, and interior spaces, effectively dissolving the boundaries between architecture, display, and artwork.
The building becomes a three-dimensional canvas, where polka dots and sculptural interventions create a continuous visual field that engages both passersby and visitors.
A key aspect of the project is its integration of scenography and branding.
Rather than functioning as a conventional retail display, the installation constructs a narrative environment that reflects the identity of both Louis Vuitton and Kusama.
This synthesis aligns with L’Atelier Five’s broader practice, which focuses on creating spatial experiences that merge storytelling, craftsmanship, and commercial strategy.
Τhe Kusama x Vuitton project exemplifies a shift in contemporary retail architecture toward immersive and event-based design. Through its careful orchestration of form, graphics, and construction, L’Atelier Five transforms a commercial setting into a temporary cultural landmark, where art, fashion, and architecture converge into a singular, highly controlled spatial experience.
Facts & Credits
Title Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama project
Typology Interior Design, Retail
Location London, England
Status Completed, 2023
Design L’Atelier Five
Photography Austin Hutton
Text by the authors
L’Atelier Five – Design Philosophy
L’Atelier Five’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that luxury is not simply about objects, but about emotion, storytelling, and experience. Under the direction of founder Saina Attaoui, the studio approaches each project as an opportunity to translate a brand’s identity into a fully immersive environment—one that captivates the senses and creates lasting impressions. Every detail, from lighting to materiality, is carefully calibrated to evoke a sense of magic and exclusivity.
Central to this philosophy is a deeply artisanal mindset. L’Atelier Five operates as a hands-on, “family-style” workshop, where designers, project managers, and makers collaborate closely across all stages—from concept to installation and dismantling.
This holistic approach ensures precision, consistency, and a high level of craftsmanship, reflecting the studio’s commitment to quality over scale.
Flexibility and responsiveness also define the practice. Designed to adapt quickly to the evolving demands of the luxury sector, the studio embraces challenges as opportunities for innovation. Whether creating temporary installations, retail takeovers, or global activations, each project is tailored to resonate emotionally with its audience.
L’Atelier Five positions experiential design as a powerful tool for connection—crafting spaces that do not just showcase products, but bring brand narratives vividly to life.
Contagious Creativity is the first book by L’Atelier Five, marking a decade of innovation in experiential design for luxury brands. Through 33 international case studies, the publication explores how crafted environments translate brand narratives into immersive, emotionally engaging experiences. It offers a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the creative and technical processes shaping contemporary physical retail, revealing the intersection of architecture, storytelling, and production. By documenting projects across global contexts, the book highlights the studio’s methodology and vision, positioning experiential design as a key driver in redefining luxury spaces. Contagious Creativity has released internationally on 17 February.
