Sheep Inc combines cork and wool walls for "flagsheep store"

Interior designer Mark Brown used cork and wool to create natural, tactile interiors for clothing brand Sheep Inc's first store, in London.

Dubbed its "flagsheep store", the shop in Carnaby Street is the first physical location for Sheep Inc and was designed to represent the ethos of the wool-led clothing brand.

"Sheep Inc's identity as a natural fibre specialist shaped every design decision," Sheep Inc founder Edzard van der Wyck told Dezeen.

"Working closely with Mark Brown, we were closely aligned on creating a space that balances modern gallery restraint with raw, natural materials," said Van der Wyck.

"The aim was to create an immersive, tactile environment that translates Sheep Inc's commitment to natural fibres, regeneration and impact into something people can physically feel the moment they step inside," he continued.

"Rather than treating materiality as a backdrop, we wanted it to be the main character – a space where wool, wood and cork are experienced architecturally, not just as products."

Within the retail spaces, cork was used extensively for the floors and walls, along with wrapping around some of the shelves.

"Visually, it mimics stone and concrete, but with a softer tactility and a significantly lighter environmental footprint," said Van der Wyck.

"That contrast was important to us – materials that feel familiar and architectural, yet deliver warmth, comfort and positive impact, allowing for a gallery-like aesthetic without relying on cold or extractive materials."

Of course, with wool being the brand's primary material, there are numerous references to sheep throughout the store.

In the main retail space, a timber structure that contains shelves and hanging bars was designed to evoke a traditional shearing shed, while a space for trying on clothes has walls made from compressed wool.

"Wool became both material and structure," said Van der Wyck.

"The wool walls and timber beam installation on the main shop floor reference the functional architecture of traditional shearing sheds, reinterpreted through the lens of a contemporary art gallery," he continued.

"They invite touch, soften acoustics and create warmth, while making a clear statement: wool isn't decorative here, it's foundational."

Within this dressing space are a pair of chairs designed by James Shaw and made from a tree felled in Camden. Shaw also created a lighting fixture that looks like two giant balls of wool.

"We collaborated with designer James Shaw on bespoke furniture and sculptural elements that celebrate material honesty and locality," explained Van der Wyck.

"Pieces were made from trees felled in Camden, close to the store, grounding the space in its immediate urban context," he continued.

"A playful wool mobile introduces lightness and wit, reinforcing our desire for the store to feel expressive and approachable rather than overly serious."

Overall, Van der Wyck hopes that visitors to the store will gain an appreciation of the brand's commitment to using natural materials.

"We hope visitors leave with a renewed appreciation for natural materials and how they can shape space, mood and meaning – delivered with a sense of ease and play," he said.

"The goal is for the store to feel thoughtful without being heavy, and to show that good design, like good clothing, can be both intelligent and joyful."

Other stores in London recently featured on Dezeen include the revamp of New Balance's London location that was designed to show off "the diversity of grey" and a space for "calm discovery" created by Mentze Ottenstein for Tekla.

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