KIKO Milano Store | Rome, Italy

KIKO Milano‘s refurbished store at Porta di Roma reimagines the brand’s retail experience through a concept that draws on its Italian roots while reflecting its global reach. Developed alongside Dalziel & Pow, the interior combines the character of an Italian atelier with a flexible storytelling framework designed to evolve over time.

Arches, mosaic flooring and textured stucco surfaces reference traditional Italian architecture, while bold colour accents introduce energy and moments of discovery throughout the customer journey. Michael Grubb Studio developed the lighting design to unify these elements, creating a cohesive retail environment where brand identity and product experience work in harmony.

Retail Lighting Design Enhancing Product Presentation and Customer Journey

The lighting strategy centres on the way customers interact with cosmetics. Rather than delivering a uniform level of illumination, the retail lighting scheme establishes a hierarchy of light that supports navigation, highlights key displays and encourages exploration across the store.

Products sit beneath carefully balanced neutral light, allowing colour tones and finishes to appear accurately. High CRI luminaires ensure customers can confidently assess shades, textures and pigmentation, an essential consideration within beauty retail environments where product perception directly influences purchasing decisions.

Integrated lighting within shelving, display furniture and mirrors introduces depth and visual interest without competing for attention. Accent lighting reinforces merchandising focal points, while reflected light across the space creates a bright and welcoming atmosphere that supports the playful character of the new concept. 

At the make-up stations, front-lit mirrors provide consistent facial illumination for product testing, removing harsh shadows and enabling customers to evaluate products under controlled conditions. Towards the rear of the store, the KIKO ID Space combines a luminous stretched ceiling with large warm-lit mirrors to support consultations and personalised beauty experiences, creating a comfortable setting for both customers and stylists.

Working closely with Dalziel & Pow, Michael Grubb Studio’s team delivered a retail lighting scheme that balances technical performance with brand expression. The layered approach enhances product visibility, strengthens customer engagement and supports KIKO Milano’s evolving retail identity.