Fairweather, Mississauga, Ont.

Prior to last year’s renovation, the 11,636-square-foot Fairweather fashion apparel store in Square One Shopping Centre was a warren of packed floor fixtures. As for the mid-’90s lighting, “You couldn’t tell the difference between navy and black,” says Robert Ruscio, president of Ruscio Studio, the firm tasked with the redesign.

Fluorescent lighting positioned behind mirrors and floating walls puts the merchandise back in the spotlight. Featured areas get played up even more with wall washers and track lighting with ceramic arc metal halides.

Black, backlit arches set off the entry to areas for designers such as Isaac Mizrahi and MIKK Couture, as well as for sections devoted to coats, dresses and accessories. There are also new focal points, like the 17-foot-long mannequin platform that marks the entrance.

Ruscio says post-renovation foot traffic averages doubled those of 2007, driven in part by the store’s new success with a younger demographic.

Project Participants:

Client
International Clothiers Inc., Toronto

Design
Ruscio Studio, Montreal

Outside Design Consulant
Mercor Lighting Group, Toronto (lighting)

General Contractor
Dama Construction, Dorval, Que.

Flooring
Italbec, Montreal
Centiva, Montreal

Wallpaper
Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics, Toronto