148 IN STORE
The store’s warm atmosphere is created by brick walls, copper, brass, wood, and vintage furniture.
Time Travel for Individualists Chrystall/Düsseldorf. In her shop located on Düsseldorf’s Fürstenplatz, Simone Chrystall takes her customers back in time. She has all the right ingredients: vintage interior, a carefully selected product range, and loving details characterise this very special concept store. Text: Ina Köhler, Photos: Chrystall
314 style in progress
Fürstenplatz is not considered to be one of the classic shopping miles in Düsseldorf. However, the area around the square is quickly developing into a hip quarter. One contributing factor to this development is the commitment of a woman with a knack for trends. In 2008, Simone Chrystall - then still together with her partner Alexandra Kiefermann - opened her first store under the label Iheart. “That was real pioneering work”, she explains. “Fürstenplatz was not a fashion location at all back then.” Simone Chrystall’s store underwent a thorough re-launch last year. She added another two rooms and expanded the product
range. The result is a 350 square metre Chrystall shop that is as comfy as your own living room or an old English club. The concept makes sure it does not exclude men or children. The latter can browse through fashion, as well as shoes, toys, and special accessories under the label Chrystall Kids, in a separate room. “Many of our regular customers visit our store together with their partner, so it made sense to expand the product range to cover the entire family”, Chrystall explains. Eye Candy for Explorers
The store, which is full of nooks and crannies, is true eye candy
for lovers of vintage items. Bicycles stand next to plush chairs, cute toys in apothecary cabinets next to children’s books. Vintage lamps, that can be purchased as well as admired, can be found next to old sailing boats and boxing gloves in library shelves with beautiful patinas. The interior is a delightful mixture of the old and new: product displays made of copper pipes and a brass shoe wall stand in stark contrast to floral tapestries, carpets, and raw brickwork. The Chesterfield sofa, industrial lighting elements, showcases, chairs, and iron cupboards give the store a special touch. The interior design was done by Simone Chrystall
