Danier Leather

Danier Leather sells fashion-forward suede and leather clothing and accessories for men and women. For its new flagship on Toronto's Bloor Street, ceo Jeffrey Wortsman wanted a space that would be both modern and classic, while also showcasing the texture and feel of the merchandise. Wortsman hand-picked burdifilek (Toronto) to turn that vision into a reality.

“We carefully controlled the overall finish schemes and light levels to allow Danier's collection to remain as the key focus and appeal of the store,” said Diego Burdi, the firm's design director.

Sandblasted acrylic trays, leather-wrapped nesting tables and ash veneer benches are used to display leather handbags and accessories. Other design highlights within the 4500-square-foot space include a two-story show window, leather-wrapped floating partitions, cantilevered shelving and recessed light coves in a zigzag pattern.

Designers deliberately pared down the space's furniture, finishes and architectural elements. The idea is to allow the retailer's sexier approach to its brand – as reflected in its new “Touch” advertising campaign – to shine through.

Client Design Team: Danier Leather, Toronto – Jeffrey Wortsman, ceo; Jack Sanderson, manager, store planning; Roger Meade, store planning; Ellen Rethore, vp, marketing; Olga Koel, executive vp; Renee Landry, Mila Danielli, fashion designers

Design Team: burdifilek, Toronto – Diego Burdi, design director; Tom Yip, studio manager; Jeremy Mendonca, Indrajit Motala, senior designers; Tracy Morgulis, technical manager; Mauro Lobo-Pires, technologist

Outside Design Consultants: MCW Consultants, Toronto (mechanical engineering); Delta Engineering Services, Toronto (structural engineering); KAI Leather Product Design, Toronto (custom leather work); Light Brigade Architectural Lighting, Toronto (lighting engineering)

Suppliers: Telio & Cie, Toronto, Sullivan Source, Toronto (fabrics); Ontario Store Fixtures, Toronto, Pancor, Mississauga, Ont. (fixturing); York Marble, Toronto (flooring); Work Inc., Toronto (graphics); TPL Marketing, Concord, Ont. (lighting); Details by Rick, Toronto (mannequins and props); Accurate Signs, Toronto (signage); KAI Leather Product Design, Toronto (wallcoverings); Robert William Typographers, Toronto (typography)