Pop-up store
The Pop Mart Pop-Up Store is a temporary retail installation designed to bring the vibrant universe of collectible art toys into a tactile, immersive space. Conceived for Milan Design Week 2025, the project reinterprets the spirit of Pop Mart’s globally recognized characters - like Labubu, Skullpanda, and Molly - through spatial storytelling, playful tactility, and curated interaction.
The concept originated from a deep brand and spatial analysis: Pop Mart's DNA lies in emotional collectibility, surprise, and aesthetic immediacy. These elements were translated into physical space using mirrored surfaces, modular displays, and oversized totems that echo the toy world’s scale and whimsy. The layout maximized interaction in a compact footprint, creating a rhythmic sequence of discovery through reflective materials, layered sightlines, and character-centric vignettes.
The pop-up was hosted at Otto.place, in Via Paolo Sarpi 8 — at the heart of Milan’s Chinatown — a district known for its cultural hybridity and youth-driven energy. This setting provided a perfect backdrop for a brand rooted in East Asian visual culture and urban playfulness. More than a shop, the space was designed as an event-driven experience. The opening included limited-edition drops, influencer previews, curated food and drinks, and a dedicated content team capturing real-time media. By blending retail and entertainment, the event elevated the pop-up into a shareable moment, generating buzz across both local and online communities. The result is a project that balances strategic brand thinking, spatial identity, and trend awareness — bringing collectible culture into the realm of immersive design. Pop Mart – Pop-Up Store is not only a reflection of how toys shape experience and memory, but also a case study in how physical spaces can amplify emotional branding through scale, surprise, and scenography.
