© Marie-Stella-Maris / Photography: Tom Bremer

In the past two decades, the premium and upper segments of Amsterdam‘s retail landscape have seen a gradual transformation, and to such an extent, that it has surpassed the equivalents in Antwerp and Brussels, which have longtime been the leading shopping destinations in the Benelux region. While notable developments have taken place in the Dutch capital’s leafy Oud Zuid district, and to a certain extent also in the historic Canal District, leaps forward can also be seen in Amsterdam’s metropolitan area. Neighbouring Amstelveen, practically part of the capital’s suburban belt, albeit a relatively upscale one, has seen its urban core gradually upgraded with alluring new architecture, stores and brands. The latest to arrive is Marie-Stella-Maris, a homegrown home fragrance and body care brand which has resonated well nationwide with a growing, savvy consumer demographic.

Occupying a lofty unit on the premises of a modern shopping arcade, the store sees a renewed collaboration with designer Pepijn Smit of Amsterdam-based practice S-P-A-C-E Projects who laid down the brand’s new retail design codes. Clean, understated, and largely all-white, the retail space is anchored by fishbone parquet flooring, while tiered shelving units, crafted from pristine white Mycelium, line the walls. Three display counters with matching terrazzo tops and laden with merchandise dot the corridor towards the back of the store where a wash basin and the Refill Bar is situated. The latter is a newly added fixture in Marie-Stella-Maris stores. Spawning from the brand’s environmental awareness, clients can purchase refills. There’s even a weekly happy hour which gives a whopping 50% off your product of choice, an initiative which is complementary to the company’s B-Corp certification. The new Marie-Stella-Maris store carries the full range of home fragrance and body care products.

Marie-Stella-Maris
Rembrandthof 5
1181 ZL Amstelveen
Mon 12pm-6pm
Tue-Wed 10am-6pm
Thu 10am-9pm
Fri-Sat 10am-6pm
Sun 12pm-6pm

© Marie-Stella-Maris / Photography: Tom Bremer