PROJECT Unlock A Dream | CLIENT Hermès | SERVICES Production
Hermès Canada received the extraordinary opportunity, from their global headquarters in Paris, to establish a flagship store in Vancouver. The two-storey retail space features contemporary architectural design that offers an enhanced retail experience inspired by the striking landscape, quality of living, strength and spirit that defines Vancouver. To celebrate its launch, Hermès Canada hosted a party as elaborate and elegant as the luxury goods they are known for.
Our challenge was to transform a defunct casino into a living dream, matching the sense of opulence synonymous to the Hermès brand. Our aim was to translate the Parisian team’s vision and annual company-wide theme, “In the Pursuit of Dreams,” and conceptualize it into reality; using interactive technology to immerse invited guests into an experience of wow and wonder.
For an event of this magnitude, collaboration is key. Working hand-in-hand with both the Canadian and Parisian Hermès teams we were able to fully realize their vision and concept. Partnering with some of the best companies and people in the industry (Derooted, Liteworks, and Inframe), we were able to transport that concept into fruition.
The project required 8 days of setup. Before we could begin to build our high-concept world, we first had to rig, remove, then later, reinstall (post-event) the building’s 30’ glass chandelier, weighing more than 20,000 lbs. Once it was removed we had the freedom to transform this space into what we envisioned.
Each area had its own soundscape transporting guests into a new world. Using tracking cameras, we created dynamic, projected moving grass as guests walked through the entrance. Our video-mapped lighting over a balloon canopy created a feeling of moving clouds. A projected timelapse of a sunset changed the colour and mood of the jazz bar picnic area as the event progressed.
We also created an LED tunnel with highly reflective glass and black surface which helped transport guests into the Pegasus constellation, significant to the Hermès brand logo. Finally, we built a 30’ circular truss structure with more than 30 disco balls, ranging in size from 6’ to 12’, which elevated midway through the event, to reveal the dance floor. The combination of technology and innovation helped us provide guests with an ethereal experience.
