Colorful Appeal

Hue, a leading hosiery, socks and sleepwear brand that’s traditionally been sold in department stores, has opened its first freestanding outlet. The 2200-square-foot Hue Studio, in Charlotte, N.C., “plays on the brand’s colorful and playful spirit and delivers an integrated message of fun, fresh fashion,” says Nichole Rehfuss, senior retail visual strategist with Little (Charlotte, N.C.), the designer and architect of the space.

In keeping with those goals, the store’s carpets bear Hue’s signature floral imprint, while light fixtures and dressing rooms are emblazoned with the brand’s script pattern. The store’s white-dominated palette makes the colorful Hue merchandise stand out, and bright green chairs invite shoppers to linger and interact. Serving as a visual centerpiece for the space is a two-sided, color-changing LED wall bearing the phrase, “Do You Hue?” One side of that installation serves as the back wall behind the cashwrap, while the other is visible through an exterior window.

Overall, the store is divided into two main sections: One side is devoted to “innerwear,” such as panties and sheer hosiery; the other houses outerwear, including legwear, handbags, jewelry and eyewear. Located between the two is a “trend runway” that, says Rehfuss, “provides Hue with the opportunity to test fashion accessories – high-end handbags, sunglasses, jewelry, hair accessories and ready-to-wear apparel – previously not offered by the brand in department stores.”

Client: Kayser-Roth Corp., Greensboro, N.C. – Julia Townsend, evp, general manager

Design and Architect: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, Charlotte, N.C. – Chris Finn, senior project manager; Todd Rowland, design director, retail; Nicole Rehfuss, senior retail visual strategist; Rich Glenny, designer; Kate Goodman, designer; Sarah Areheart, intern architect; Santiago Crespo, art director, branded graphics

Outside Design Consultant: Slover and Co., New York (graphic design and brand development)

General Contractor: TST Group, a division of Shelco Inc., Charlotte, N.C.

Audio/Visual: Muzak LLC, Fort Mill, S.C.

Ceilings: TST Group, Charlotte, N.C.

Fixtures: , Central Islip, N.Y.

Flooring: Dal-Tile, Dallas; Tai Ping, New York

Fixture Hardware: Marlite, Dover, Ohio

Furniture: SEVEN CONTINENTS, Toronto; APT-NY, New York

Lighting: Lighting Management Inc., Harriman, N.Y.; , Fairfield, N.J. (fixtures)

Mannequins and Forms/Props and Decoratives: Bernstein Display, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Signage/Graphics: Harlan Graphic Arts Services Inc., Cincinnati

Wallcoverings and Materials: KnollTextiles, East Greenville, Pa.; Arpa Laminate, Jacksonville, Fla.; 3 Form Acrylic, Salt Lake City; Formica ColorCore, Cincinnati; Sherwin-Williams Co., Cleveland; Benjamin Moore & Co., Montvale, N.J.

Photography: Mark Steele Photography Inc., Columbus, Ohio