forte_forte opens in puerto banus: a gem overlooking the costa del sol

the narrative within the space of forte_forte adds another stage to the journey that began in madrid, spain, continuing the design concept conceived through the creative dialogue between giada forte and robert vattilana. the new boutique is positioned in the seaside resort of puerto banus, overlooking the port of the coastal town, and constitutes the last of a triad of sea–facing locations together with the stores in forte dei marmi and cannes.
the entire coast, from malaga to gibraltar, by way of marbella, is a flourishing, sun–kissed stretch of andalusia, a region of cultural interconnections and morphological contrasts, both warm and enveloping.

located at number 12 calle ribera, the boutique fits into the liveliness of the resort environment, absorbing its light–hearted and joyous vibe, its bright light mirroring the mediterranean sea.
the surrounding landscape is stark white, where whitewashed houses bear witness to the authenticity of typical coastal villages.

the façade features a full–width shop window, consisting of mullion–free glazing where the entrance door is placed centrally.
an affirmation composed of light and transparency that allows the entire space to be seen: as crystalline as an aquarium, it evokes the marine world to which it belongs. the space unfolds like a treasure chest from whose entrance we can glimpse the entire perimeter. floor and wall panels merge into a monolithic whole, a perfect delve into a mini world of green calacatta: a natural stone from brazil where luminous inclusions of crystals and quartz in marine tones echo the colours of the limpid waters of the costa del sol.

the structure’s layout is rhythmised by the well–defined grooves of the walls, contrasting with the smooth, polished surface of the floors.

at the back, the space is further enhanced by its three–dimensional elements. a suspended wall is covered with wrought and ground brass tiles resembling fish scales, luminous and mesmerising, gli–stening like the iridescent reflections of the aquatic world.
the ceiling is divided into a first, more dynamic space, which is divided by a series of sloping panels, and a second where a leap in height is accentuated by the vertical arrangement of the curtains in the dressing rooms and the fish scale detailing of the back wall. a cascade of light illuminates the entire perimeter, defining and focusing attention on the spaces. the natural stone that sculpts the interiors contrasts with the brass clothes racks and fittings that follow the boutique’s storyline, crafted and worked by expert, skilled hands. a free hand drawing on the walls frames the space like a scenography where the product naturally fits in.

the dressing rooms, an intrinsic feature of the space design concept of forte_forte boutiques, are enveloped in rich, luminous, ceiling–high sage–coloured velvet curtains. the interiors interact with space and light, mimicking the iridescent reflections that reverberate on the waves of the sea; the large mirrors bring to mind the refined, sensual atmosphere of boudoirs. the overall impression created is a feeling of intimacy that is elegantly revealed, dissolving the distance between indoors and outdoors.

on the far side and set into the back wall is the cash register, the last tile of a mosaic positioned with the logic and rigour that characterise the architecture of a sailing boat.

the furnishing complements were made entirely in italy, from design to manufacture. a further expression of forte_forte’s belief in italian savoir faire and to the skilful craftsmanship that sets each unique and authentic element apart, regardless of its imperfections, celebrating the value of artisanal workmanship that embodies the brand’s language. the space is accented by two curved wooden armchairs covered in gold leaf with perforated leather cushions, which together with a triptych of hand–crafted brass mirrors call to mind the more modern 1930s; added to this is a stone table composed of different intersecting levels.

the environment breathes in the opaline reflection of its surroundings, its spaciousness is a reverberation of light, which permeates the objects while creating an intimate and welcoming space.