Moët & Chandon: The most elegant Champagne Bar in Europe, situated at Harrods London.
Moët & Chandon, renowned for its champagne, inaugurated its first permanent establishment in Europe on July 7th, 2022, situated within Harrods' beauty halls in London. The centerpiece of the space, facing Basil Street in Knightsbridge, is an artisanal, sculpted chandelier that spans a gracefully curved bar, seamlessly connecting it with its surroundings. Completing the seating arrangement are poser tables at each corner, and the exterior view is characterized by Moët & Chandon branding and bubble graphics on the windows. The creation of this striking bar marks a significant achievement for umdasch The Store Makers, marking a significant step in the decade-long restoration of the iconic department store.
The design process commenced with Sybarite Architects conceptualizing and encapsulating the four essential aspects of Moët: Pleasure, Prestige, Place, and Philosophy. These elements correspond to the four distinct colors: red symbolizing Pleasure, gold signifying Prestige, white embodying Place, and black representing their philosophical outlook. The central focal point is the impressive chandelier, an expansive structure measuring 21 by 5 meters, suspended from the ceiling. Crafted from nearly 60,000 degrade golden metal disks and 240,000 brass rings, this dramatic centerpiece immediately creates a captivating 'wow' moment, effectively merging the Moët & Chandon champagne bar with the beauty offerings in the Harrods space. It stretches over the entire department, serving as a unifying element. Furthermore, the design's sophistication ensures the harmonious coexistence of the two renowned brands, Moët & Chandon and Harrods, within a single location. The chandelier evokes the spirit of visionary designers from the past, reminiscent of the likes of Paco Rabanne and Pierre Cardin, with a futuristic touch.
The bar provides an extensive assortment of Moët & Chandon wines, available by the glass, bottle, or magnum, accompanied by an array of delectable light dining options curated by Harrods' specialized team of in-house chefs. From fresh seafood to finger sandwiches and pastries, the offerings are diverse. The counter is adorned with eight red "Moët Kisses" seamlessly integrated within the solid surface, along with solid brushed brass ice buckets. Furthermore, the bar features a fully equipped kitchen for the preparation of beverages and cuisine.
Encompassing the bar are five distinct zones, framed by bottle displays reminiscent of libraries, accompanied by gold-toned seating and custom-designed tabletops that mirror the vivacity of champagne. The table surfaces of the four elevated tables are composed of resin, each intricately fashioned with a three-dimensional design reminiscent of gazing into a glass of Moët & Chandon, with the illusion of 'bubbles' ascending towards the customer.
Following these achievements, umdasch was subsequently entrusted with various projects as part of an extensive ten-year grand renovation. These encompassed areas like the Dining Hall, Men’s International Designer Room 1, Beds and Signature Harrods World, alongside the Gift Wrap section, Men’s Shoes, and Seasonal & Books.
“Harrods Moët & Chandon Bar is our flagship project this year, given the uniqueness of the design and various high-profile stakeholders being involved in this project. The team is immensely proud to have been entrusted with this prestigious space.” commented Roman Fussthaler, Managing Director Premium Retail at umdasch The Store Makers.
