Harvey Nichols kicks off makeover with colourful new vision for flagship’s ground floor

This autumn will see London luxury department store Harvey Nichols unveiling the first stage of its transformation with the launch of a reimagined ground floor retail experience at the Knightsbridge flagship. 

The company said the renewed space “marks a significant evolution for the brand, introducing a bold direction that blends fine and designer jewellery with a curated lifestyle offer”.

Launching in September, the redesign features “a bold use of primary colour throughout the space, alongside adaptable, movable fixtures that allow for evolving brand collaborations and seasonal storytelling”. 

It also includes a new installation by artist and designer Gary Card, “whose immersive work reflects the store’s evolving creative vision”. 

The ground floor windows “will be opened allowing the floor to be flooded with natural light, while the prominent corner window at the junction of Knightsbridge and Sloane Street will become a dynamic pop-up space to spotlight exclusive brand moments and launches”.

Selfridges across town in the West End has already proved how a prominent corner position can be a strong one for pop-ups and can be hugely impactful, so it will be interesting to see how the idea works in one of London’s other key luxury shopping districts.

The changes are the most significant physical development at the store since its new CEO and new creative director joined and the retailer said the revamp has been “designed to meet the shifting expectations of today’s discerning shopper”. It brings together “globally recognised designers, emerging talent and one-of-a-kind objects, all within an environment that encourages creativity, individuality and discovery”.

It’s anchored by a curated jewellery edit, including international and contemporary names, plus “a focused selection of elevated homeware and gifting”. That’s an interesting development at the mainly-fashion-focused store with the new space featuring items from lifestyle design and décor to artisan candles, sculptural vases, tabletop objects and books-as-art, with plenty of “standout, collectable pieces”.

CEO Julia Goddard said that “with the opening up of the windows and a new flexible experiential space, it offers a dynamic platform for unexpected collaborations and unique brand moments”.

And creative director Kate Phelan called it a “pivotal moment for Harvey Nichols. The new ground floor is about more than product – it’s a statement of intent. We’re creating an experience that feels relevant, exciting and, above all, individual. This is just the beginning of what’s to come”.