There’s something deeply meaningful about sitting in front of an international class of young people who dream of changing the rules of the game. This happened during the Retail & Sustainability module of the Master in Sustainable Fashion by the National Chamber for Italian Fashion (CNMI), now coordinated by Goldmann & Partners.
It wasn’t just a teaching experience—it was a transformative one. For us, and hopefully for them too.
At the heart of this experience lies a conviction: the future of retail is not merely a matter of aesthetics, but of ethics. And sustainability can no longer be a luxury accessory—it must be embedded in the project from the very first sketch.
What does it mean to design a sustainable retail space today?
Few know that years ago, Italy’s top fashion houses gathered around a single table with a shared objective: to make their stores more sustainable, more human, and more in tune with the times.
We, as a studio, drafted the official CNMI guidelines on sustainability in retail. That pioneering work sparked a new approach—measurable, shared, and visionary. A way of designing and building that doesn’t stop at appearance but seeks to do good.
Because beauty, too, can heal.
According to a study cited by NASA, a store designed according to bioclimatic criteria encourages customers to stay longer, enhances their sense of well-being, and—quite surprisingly—increases sales, with a potential uplift of 1.3%. A number that, in the world of luxury, can make a remarkable difference.
Educating the next generation, inspiring the brands
During our lessons, we explored environmental psychology, certifications, materials, digital passports, and circularity. But above all, we spoke of responsibility.
We shared real-life experiences, highlighting companies that are already redefining how retail spaces are conceived and lived: from Golden Goose to Patagonia, Diesel/OTB to Velasca.
We wanted students to understand that every space is an opportunity to express a value. That air, light, sound, and temperature are not details—they are messages. And a well-designed space is, first and foremost, a place where people feel good.
A vision becoming reality
Today, many brands turn to us with a clear request: help us create retail environments that are true to our values. This is not just about image—it’s a cultural, environmental, and human necessity.
That’s why we’ve chosen to share our experience not only on construction sites, but also in classrooms. Because if we want a future for luxury that is truly sustainable, we must begin to design it together. With expertise, rigor, passion—and a bit of courage, too.
Would you like to discover what sustainable retail design really means?
Write to us at: info@goldmann.it
Image credits: www.lvmh.com
