GOUTAL, the authentic French perfume house founded under the impetus of creator Annick Goutal, has unveiled its first Asia flagship store in Hong Kong. Situated in the heart of Causeway Bay, La Maison Goutal offers nearly 3,000 square feet of immersive retail space, designed by award-winning architecture and interior studio, via.

Originally a talented pianist, Annick Goutal opened her first fragrance store in 1981. Since then, Maison Goutal has continued to craft timeless scents inspired by poetry, nature and everlasting culture.

Overseeing both the architecture and interior design, via. envisioned La Maison Goutal as a modern Parisian home for its late founder, Annick Goutal. The finished design presents a carefully-choreographed flow of spaces, which begins even before one enters the store.

The street-facing façade pays homage to French architecture with a trio of arches in an elegant composition of limestone, bronze and marble. Fusing classical elements with contemporary details, textured glass adds a champagne-coloured glow to the window dressing, capturing the attention of passers-by.

The interior design makes use of a graceful palette of lightly-coloured stones, bronze and warm woods. Several recurring motifs are evident in the details, including the use of arches, fluted glass and timber surfaces, as well as golden wall sconces are also featured prominently as a reference to GOUTAL’s iconic fragrance bottle.

Shoppers are drawn into the store by an array of vibrant displays, including an opulent fragrance counter – crafted from polished stone and dark timber to demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship. Exposed shelves are dedicated to the different product lines; on the wall, a striking multicoloured ‘book shelf’ alludes to classic literature works that were the inspirations for the house’s olfactory families.

Beyond the retail displays, via. has designed three immersive spaces—Perfume Organ, Story Garden and Sensory Lounge.

A key highlight of the store, the floor-to-ceiling Perfume Organ reinterprets the imposing Perfume Organ from the Paris flagship and Annick Goutal’s work station. Inspired by the instrument’s multi-layered structure, and the form of Chinese bamboo, the wrap-around installation offers a mesmerising view of the house’s creations with over 600 transparent cylinders. The inside of the ‘Organ’ is created as an intimate dressing room, where a chandelier of entwined gold leaves shimmers against a silver-leaf ceiling and accent furniture. A bespoke carpet – rendered in blue and purple shades to depict gentle water ripples in the night – completes the space with an alluring charm.

In the Story Garden, GOUTAL’s enchanting tales and celebrated legacy come to life through digital panels, framed by hand-painted murals by French illustrator, Ophelia Jacarini. Adding comfort to the artistic space, large embracing sofas are paired with vintage-inspired trolleys to enhance engagement and active storytelling.

The Sensory Lounge blends the art of wine tasting with the olfactory experience. The intimate enclave features an impressive U-shaped marble bar with complementing brass stools for an indulgent setting. A sensual palette of magenta—taken from GOUTAL’s Night Bird chapter—is used for lacquer shelves, contrasted by metal accessories to achieve a nighttime mood.

As a nod to GOUTAL’s relentless pursuit of perfection, via. also selected some of the finest materials and furnishings to decorate the interiors, including four types of marble to create the floor pattern, beige wall paint with gold veins, floral wall covering, and custom metal hardware. The handcrafted furniture collection includes a decorative lotus table made from hand-casted bronze, created exclusively for GOUTAL by luxury furniture maker, Alexander Lamont.

Photography Credit: Tan Hai Han