Song for the Mute

A powerful meeting of the minds, Foolscap and Song for the Mute co-created a rich concept for the brand’s second permanent space.

Foolscap’s interior architecture and design for Song for the Mute’s debut Melbourne boutique reimagines the conventions of luxury retail with an unexpected approach that reflects the two brands’ shared spirit of innovation.

Founded by Lyna Ty and Melvin Tanaya, Song for the Mute is an Australian fashion label globally recognised for its narrative-driven design approach. The label’s openness to experimentation allowed Foolscap to challenge traditional retail norms, including partially closing off the store’s front to create mystique and an elevated, intimate experience.

"Designing retail spaces is about crafting a setting for life. It’s not just about selling a product but inviting a moment of connection.

As designers, our role is to create spaces that resonate day after day, while deeply reflecting our client’s ethos and personality – in this instance, Song for the Mute’s commitment to storytelling, intimacy, and emotional depth,”

— Founder & Principal Adèle Winteridge

Occupying a 68m² footprint, Foolscap’s interior draws on the fashion house’s musical inspirations to evoke the essence of a record player through curved forms and a rhythmical spatial flow. Clothing is arranged along the inside of the circular module, capturing the warmth and movement of music in a conceptually bold yet sophisticated design.

The space is designed for maximum impact, achieving more with less; its experiential layout, more akin to a gallery than a conventional store, gradually reveals Song for the Mute’s garments to an inquisitive and engaged clientele.

Foolscap maximised the site’s scale through engaging, bespoke curved walls that invite curiosity from every vantage point. From the exterior, the rectilinear shell partially conceals the store’s contents, suggesting movement and intrigue. Positioned alongside the entrance, a large display wall provides an opportunity to showcase collections, while the central module serves as a warm, dynamic hub. A custom-built tiered wooden unit anchors the centre and radiates across the framed window, providing a playground for creative merchandising.

Half concealed by semi-transparent partitions, this curved unit represents the record ‘spinning’ on the turntable — its form abstracted to mimic the grooves of a record in a vertical, three-dimensional volume.

Working within the tight floor plan, Foolscap carved out two generous, angular change rooms and a practical back-of-house space at the rear. Modernist red and green doors, inspired by Le Corbusier’s Guide to Colour, provide a vibrant counterpoint to the neutral material palette.