London based event architects and visual communications agency, Sync Studio were invited to design and produce an experiential set for new natural skincare brand, Wildsmith Skin. Inspired by ‘Heckfield Place’ and its muse William Wildsmith, the head Gardner at Heckfield place in the 1870’s and 1880’s. A highly respected artisan gardener of his time, this luxurious range is inspired by nature, utilising traditional and pure techniques in order to create stunning and luxurious products. Wildsmith Skin was born out of a desire to create a skincare brand that harnesses nature’s most active wild Ingredients, and blends them with the latest innovation from the lab to elevate natural skincare to a new level.
We delved into the history books to gather our inspiration on the design. It was important for us to take all the VIP guests on a journey and remind them of the ‘walk in the woods’ where the Wildsmith Skin story began. We transformed the saloon area of Spring restaurant, inside the New Wing at the iconic Somerset House into a conceptual English forest. Utilising as many materials as possible from the grounds, we worked closely with the senior arborist at Heckfield place, to carefully select over 50 logs in varying finishes; Douglas Fir, Japanese Larch and Oak. These were intermixed by some bespoke branded white plinths, we produced, in varying heights. The combination of raw logs and white plinths acted as a series of product display areas throughout the Saloon.
Other key elements we design and produced were a series of 3-metre-tall acrylic panels, which we printed forest scenes directly onto, these were then backlight to give the illusion of a dreamy and mysterious woodland floor. These were juxtaposed by additional 3 metre tall Japanese larch logs held in place by bespoke steel bases, painted in black. Working alongside leading horticulturalist, Fjura to dress the space in simple classic floral and soil compositions. Alongside the main space we created a ‘Treatment Shed’ space where VIP guests were invited to have spa and facial treatments, using with Wildsmith Skin range, throughout the day. We printed forest scenes onto 3 metre tall panels, and installed solid oak flooring to ensure continuity between the two spaces.
To add to the client experience we carefully curated a playlist of forest sounds in the Saloon throughout the day, to add to the ‘forest’ environment. The launch event at Somerset House, was a luxury installation that truly mirrored the brands unique identity in an impactful way. Sync Studio continues to be the agency of choice, for brands looking to tell their story in a premium and impactful way, whilst creating engaging and sensorial experiences.
Sync Studio is a full service visual communications agency that crafts brand stories for beauty, fashion and lifestyle clients from design, and production through to installation. We believe that brands need more than traditional VM Display solutions to engage and communicate with millennial audiences. We connect, create, make and deliver for some of the most exciting future brands and traditional retailers alike.