Interior DesignSydney-based fashion retailers Above The Clouds have taken residence in a prominent corner site on Surry Hills’ Crown Street. The interior, designed by retail aficionados and all-around superstars—Pattern Studio—unfolds as a series of coordinated contradictions.

Pattern deftly translated the brand’s charm and uniqueness into a spatial experience. The new interior unfolds as an exploration of dualities—seemingly disparate concepts co-exist harmoniously, generating a fresh and honest aesthetic. The store feels at once polished and raw, relaxed and refined, channelling both youthful exuberance and a discerning sophistication. Detailing is rudimentary in some areas and ultra-slick in others, while the material palette juxtaposes the hyper-industrial with the playful. Finishes such as scaffolding, steel strapping, and pine timber appear alongside perky pastel planes; butter yellow in the eyewear cabinet and a sky-blue point-of-sale counter that reference the joyous colourways of the Bearbrick, by cult Japanese toy brand MediCom. 

The store’s piece de résistance, however, is undoubtedly the Sneaker Wall. To some, sneaker culture borders on religious devotion. Pattern leaned into this concept, conceiving a suitably reverent shrine to the shoe. The immense wall spans eight metres and glows softly, showcasing the product with serene elegance. It is a move that, experientially, feels more akin to a gallery or  a temple, rather than traditional retail. Above The Clouds represent a new wave of retailers whose inclusive attitude and forward-thinking approach is being well-rewarded by consumers.