On March 1st, at a ceremony in the XS Nightclub at Encore Hotel in Las Vegas, the Association for Retail Environments honored Ruscio Studio with an Outstanding Merit award for their design of Tokkad, a women’s fashion boutique in Promenades Beauport, Quebec.
The new prototype design concept for an up-and-coming fashion retailer needed to be as trendy as the new brand. Neutral tones of charcoal grey and white, de-saturated wood vinyl flooring, and reclaimed wood planks are key finishes and materials that set the tone for a warm color palette that allows signage and merchandise to stand out. Although the space is large, Ruscio Studio chose to use only track lighting to provide a dramatic contrast between the darkened ceiling and the merchandise, with indirect lighting introduced above platforms and below wall merchandise to create a luminous glow. Featured brands are presented as entire collections in oversized wooden niches that spill onto matching tables.
About A.R.E. Founded in 1956 and based in Hollywood, Florida, the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is a non-profit trade association representing the retail environments industry. More than 800 member companies including store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry, it is estimated that A.R.E. members produce 85% of all store fixtures made in North America. For additional information, visit www.retailenvironments.org.
About Tokkad: Tokkad is the first prototype store which opened up in the summer of 2011 in Quebec City, featuring up and coming brand names for women’s fashion.
About Ruscio Studio: Established in 2002, Ruscio Studio is a commercial interior design firm specializing in Retail, Shopping Mall, and Kiosk design. Featured in regional and national publications, and winner of numerous local and international awards, Ruscio Studio has garnered the reputation as a leader in the retail design industry. For additional information, visit www.rusciostudio.com.
