Chrome Hearts‘ newest outpost is in Cannes, located within Palm Beach Cannes, the Belle Époque landmark on the quieter eastern end of the Boulevard de la Croisette.
The boutique, an intimate 335 square feet, reflects the Los Angeles-based label’s emphasis on craftsmanship and immersive retail environments while incorporating design elements specific to its Riviera setting. The space is organized into two distinct rooms — an ebony-clad entry and a marble gallery — conceived as a dialogue between darker, traditional influences and a softer, more refined aesthetic.
“The Cannes store reflects the brand’s identity through a careful balance of contrasting design influences and strong attention to local context. Although the space itself was relatively small, its street-facing position presented a unique challenge due to the direct sunlight, which influenced several architectural and decorative decisions,” said founder Laurie Lynn Stark.
The result is Chrome Hearts’ first stained-glass windows.
“One notable feature was the use of stained glass in a distinctly French style, both as a functional solution to the light and as an aesthetic choice that ties the store to its surroundings,” she added.
Another design concept unique to Cannes is the blending of dual perspectives: a softer, more refined approach associated with the marble side of the store, and a darker, more traditional influence aligned with the ebony side.
Inside the Chrome Hearts boutique at the Palm Beach Cannes.
Courtesy of Chrome Hearts
The project was shaped by Kristian Stark, son and heir apparent to the Chrome Hearts brand, and his relationship with DB Group founder David Berokas.
The French hospitality group, which counts Barrière Group, Dogus Group, L Capital by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Moma Group as partners, was behind the revamp of the Palm Beach. The upscale destination has transformed the former casino into a luxury entertainment hub with restaurants, boutiques and private members’ amenities.
Chrome Hearts joins brands including Dior and Loewe in the Moorish-inspired space.
Berokas “had a clear vision for the store,” said Laurie Lynn Stark, particularly at the entrance, which needed to be distinct while still working in harmony with the overall building and its dramatic design touches. “Achieving this balance was challenging.”
The entry room features rich wood paneling and a sculpted ceiling with the brand’s motifs, alongside the stained glass works.
The Chrome Hearts team collaborated with local artisans who specialize in stained glass and glass carving for the windows, which filter the strong Mediterranean sun in soft blue tones, referencing French decorative traditions while responding to the practical challenges of a street-facing space.
The design also incorporates traditional symbols, including the Chrome Hearts signature Fleur de Lys, making the store feel both branded and at home in its South of France setting.
The ebony side of the Chrome Hearts boutique in Cannes.
Beyond a vaulted archway, a second marble room, recently completed after the store’s initial opening, offers a contrasting environment defined by stacked statuario marble cubes, some of which open to display merchandise. The space also includes an artisanal chocolate fridge, further blurring the line between retail and lifestyle elements.
The assortment has been tailored to the location. Alongside core collections, the store carries one-of-a-kind watches and high jewelry pieces, as well as a limited run of bespoke eveningwear, including corsets, dresses and skirts crafted from silk with hand embroidery and custom beading that are red-carpet-ready.
The store will host private shopping appointments and extended its opening hours until 11:30 p.m. until May 24.
“The product offering is intentionally elevated,” Stark said. “For our seasoned customers, we want to ensure they get something different out of the experience than at any of our other locations.”
While smaller than markets such as Paris or London, where the brand also operates stores, Cannes plays a strategic role in reaching top clients in seasonal destinations.
The marble side of the Chrome Hearts boutique in Cannes.
Courtesy of Chrome Hearts
For Chrome Hearts, which relies on a tightly controlled network of directly operated stores, such locations offer an opportunity to deepen relationships with its most loyal clients outside traditional fashion capitals.
“The South of France is defined by simplicity, beauty and a lifestyle-driven way of living, which mirrors how Chrome Hearts approaches its spaces; this is a space where our seasoned clients who frequently travel to the South of France will feel at home,” Stark added.
