Louis Vuitton has unveiled its remodelled store in Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta. Since 1991, this store has been an integral part of Jakarta’s retail scene. After a remarkable transformation, it has expanded its space, offering a new shopping experience that seamlessly blends local culture with international appeal. The expansive Louis Vuitton universes for men and women are available, including leather goods, small leather goods, accessories, fragrances, gifts, travel, ready-to-wear, shoes, watches and jewellery, as well as a selection from Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades collection.
STORY BY Iman Hidajat | PHOTOS BY Louis Vuitton
The new store features a blend of different architectural approaches and a design journey around the world of Louis Vuitton that is rooted in local culture. The interior and exterior facades are composed of ceramic bricks, produced and sourced locally, while collaborations with Indonesian interior and product designer Yuni Jie curated local artworks, design pieces, and materials—including rattan, bamboo, local stones, and ceramics— carefully placed throughout the store. Key design highlights include a floor covering inspired by interlacing Indonesian weaves and ceilings made from local rattan and raffia. The ceiling in the men’s leather goods and watches area features a checkerboard design, a nod to Pharrell Williams’ Camouflage motif.
Asked about the design concept, the renowned interior designer Yuni Jie explained that she proposed the “Weaving the Archipelago” concept for the flagship store. “As a muse, my main task is to weave Indonesian elements subtly into the spirit of Louis Vuitton. I present this concept through various products, like the furniture, motifs, textures, and works of art I curated,” she elaborated. These elements are carefully intertwined and woven to create a sensitive counterbalance, exuding a warm atmosphere. The result is a celebration of Indonesian design’s rich and seamless character in harmony with Louis Vuitton’s modern and elegant aesthetics.
Located in Plaza Indonesia, Jakarta’s most prestigious shopping mall, the newly remodelled Louis Vuitton store features brighter colours and tones with fresher accents and patterns. “The materials chosen are locally sourced, such as woven rattan wallpaper made from paper woven in Central Java,” Yuni continued. “Apart from that, I also introduced more innovative and sustainable materials using repurposed ceramics, which were processed into a column artwork in the men’s area.”
Local artworks from Agnes Hansella, Jemana Murti, Pande Giri, Richard Irwin Meyer—an American artist who lives in Indonesia—and international artists such as James Turrell take the spotlight. Other outstanding pieces include a chandelier by Henri Bursztyn, the Utrecht armchair by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, and vintage pieces by Scarpa Carlo, Harmut Lohmeyer, and Johannes Andersen, along with glass paintings by French artist Florence Girette and Gaya’s Balinese ceramic sculptures.
“My main consideration when selecting the art was to introduce a fresh body of work, whether from its materials, techniques, sustainability aspects, or pure aesthetics. Also, to highlight and showcase emerging and talented Indonesian artists who push the boundaries of modern Asian aesthetics,” she explained. Timeless pieces that complement refined design are also considered to transport visitors into a layer of inviting visual experience and spotlight the dream world of art. “I want the store to have an art gallery feel, not just a functional fashion store,” Yuni asserted.
To represent and weave Indonesia into this store, Yuni introduced exotic destinations in Indonesia. Embodying the study of many cinematic tales from these destinations, she picked three iconic locations to inspire the three private salons. “The idea is to have visitors travel and experience sunrise at Borobudur, midday at Pink Beach, and sunset at Raja Ampat, which is interpreted through the colour schemes, textures, and materials throughout these three areas,” she described. For Yuni, this compilation also serves to showcase the pride of Indonesia while keeping Louis Vuitton’s spirit as the main inspiration.
The Louis Vuitton Flagship Store at Plaza Indonesia elevates Indonesian design internationally, and for Yuni Jie, representing her design under the Louis Vuitton brand is truly a celebratory milestone. In the end, this flagship store exemplifies how a well-designed establishment can blend lifestyle, culture, arts, and fashion into a unified experience.