How to Stay Ahead of the Curve: How High-End Retailers Can Stay Current

At the time, Claudio Kaczka of BIRKA  didn’t know he had a vision and that luxury brands would look to his firm to create lavish experiences to draw in shoppers and potential customers. Founded in 2009, BIRKA has completed more than 700 projects for top name, influential luxury brands. The firm of choice for Dior, Dolce & Gabana, Prada, Caroline Herrera, Givenchy, Apple, MAC Tom Ford and Joe Malone, BIRKA specializes in creating spaces that are eye-catching and fully reflects the newest trends as well as products.  With the advent of social media and people constantly being distracted when they are on the go, the question remains how does Kaczka lead BIRKA’s charge to stay current and ahead of the trends?

Even with the ebb and flow of what’s “hot” in the world of fashion and luxury, high-end retailers are successful at establishing a base of loyal customers.  With so many expensive vendors out there, these brands work hard to maintain their individual identity, as well as to keep their customers coming back. 

What sets BIRKA apart from other architecture and design firms is the close attention their team pays to the individual needs of each luxury boutiques as well as an understanding that no two luxury brands are alike (regardless of whether their price points or their products seem similar). Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Kaczka identifies as a multidisciplinary artist and architect. In 2004, Kaczka got his start in the world of architecture and design when he moved to Miami, FL to serve as the head of store design for Christian Dior in the U.S. and Latin America.

One of BIRKA’s major accomplishments was creating the vision for CHANEL Buenos Aires, the first F&B boutique in the area. The store was set up in a historical and nationally emblematic building known as Galerias Pacifico. This particular project was divided into two principle areas: the first floor which showcased make-up, skin treatments and exclusive fragrances for both men and women and the second floor, designed as a private boudoir, featuring only the most exclusive lines and facilitated one-on-one shopping experiences.

“All the carefully selected details are a part of what is required to create the perfect setting for a new luxury boutique and nothing is left to chance. Each piece is studied, drawn, developed and tested to ensure the irrefutable success of each project in its entirety. It is with great pride that we incorporate all this experience and knowledge into every project we take on,” says Kaczka.

The fabric that covers the walls, doors and lamps were handmade by artists in Denmark, and were brought in specially to include traditional tweet and genre used by Cocó in all its collection.

With the steady flow of luxury retail projects already in their portfolio, it is no surprise that BIRKA has expanded their skill set and are now focused on renovating residential lobbies and buildings but also focusing on home projects and renovations. Using their luxury world experience, BIRKA seeks to enrich the value and uniqueness of each building while also increasing the value of the properties.