Innovative automated retail start-up U*tique and trendsetting beauty retailer, STUDIO BEAUTYMIX at Fred Segal, are bringing the future of luxury retail to Los Angeles this spring with the world premiere of U*tique Shop.

U*tique Shop is being touted as the world's first interactive, automated luxury store for "life's little emergencies and indulgences". Positioned at the intersection of style, technology and convenience, U*tique Shop will offer an assortment of iconic ‘must haves' from today's luxury and personal-care segments.

"U*tique Shop is a luxury lifestyle brand, positioned to meet the needs of the on-the-go consumer who appreciates premium, well-crafted products," says chief executive and creator, Mara Segal.

Cutting straight to the customer 

U*tique Shop features an original touch-screen interface, interactive LED lighting design, and a behind-the-scenes robot, which delivers fragile products from secure storage and direct into the hands of customers.

The debut of U*tique Shop at Fred Segal's Santa Monica location is the first iteration of what will serve as the anchor and prototype for U*tique Shops. U*tique collaborated with up-and-coming design talent Russell Greenberg, Director of RUX, a New York City based design studio, for the overall design of the machine.

"The words upscale, automated and retail are not typically found in the same sentence," said Greenberg. " We needed to invent an image and experience for U*tique that was so seductive, elegant, and streamlined that it would instantly transform people's preconceived notions about what shopping could be. The magic and allure of U*tique is that it combines the shockingly new and the reassuringly ordinary."

Luxury partners for first automated foray 

While U*tique plans to pop up its automated shops across the globe, it is partnering with STUDIO at Fred Segal for its world exclusive launch. U*tique chose STUDIO BEAUTYMIX at Fred Segal because it has been a trendsetter in beauty and luxury for over 20 years and is the epicentre of the Los Angeles fashion scene, frequented by celebrities and style-conscious travellers from around the globe.

STUDIO founder and creator of award-winning luxury brands BURN candle and Memoire Liquide fragrance, Robin Coe-Hutshing, has built a reputation in the beauty industry for always discovering ‘what's next'. When Robin caught wind of U*tique from a mutual designer friend in Los Angeles, she knew she had to have it.

"I think U*tique is by far one of the most innovative concepts I have seen in a very long time. The opportunity for STUDIO to partner with Mara Segal and launch U*tique is truly groundbreaking in terms of retail theatre and new levels of branding and customer experience," Coe-Hutshing said.

U*tique is designed to provide relief for customers tired of wading through a sea of confusing choices, trying in vain to find a salesperson, or queuing in long lines. Users have the option to rapidly purchase the items they want or can explore products and brands in more detail, even viewing short videos about product benefits or demonstrations.

Photo Credits:
Photography: Michael Jacobson / Model: Laura Weaver / Styled by Flair at Fred Segal / Shoes by Valentino and Jimmy Choo, courtesy of Madison at Fred Segal SaMo / Hair: Carlos Ortiz at Preece & Toff Fred Segal / Make-up: Angel Dennler - Studio Beautymix, Stila Cosmetics

Courtesy of The Stinger Report