LOEWE 2024 Large FRP Shell Sculptures for Visual Merchandising
Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic · UV Vacuum Metallising · Bespoke Sculptural VM Props
Where the project began
LOEWE’s 2024 VM brief called for large-scale sculptural is complex that to express the brand’s craft-led identity. The shell form presented a specific fabrication challenge: compound curves with recessed ridges and undercuts that needed to carry a flawless mirror-finish metallic surface.
Any imperfection in the substrate would be amplified rather than hidden by the metallising process, placing unusually high demands on both the FRP construction and the multi-stage surface preparation that preceded it.
From sketch to proposal
The concept takes a natural form — the different shell designs.
Hand-laid in fibreglass reinforced plastic to capture the full compound-curve geometry, each sculpture is then finished through UV vacuum metallising: a process that deposits a continuous aluminium layer across the entire surface inside a vacuum chamber, producing a true mirror finish that conforms to every ridge and recess of the form.
The organic geometry of a shell — rendered in jewellery-grade, light-catching chrome finish
- Primary structure: hand-laid FRP / GRP, chosen for structural rigidity at large scale
- Internal ribbing: Steel instructure inside to keep strong.
- Base coat: UV-cured primer adhesion layer prior to vacuum deposition
- Metallising layer: chrome deposited via UV vacuum metallising process
- Top coat: UV-cured protective lacquer — scratch and UV resistant for retail display
- UV vacuum metallising deposits a thin aluminium layer directly onto the FRP surface inside a vacuum chamber — producing a true mirror finish impossible to achieve through mechanical polishing
- The process conforms uniformly to every ridge, recess, undercut, and tight-radius curve of the sculptural form
- Post-metallising tint lacquers extend the colour range: mirror silver, warm gold, rose gold, gunmetal, and champagne — custom brand-matched tones available
- UV-cured base and top coats encapsulate the metallised layer for retail-grade durability
The making
Each shell begins as a hand-laid FRP laminate, built up in fibreglass layers over a precision mould to achieve the structural rigidity at this scale. Internal ribbing and a freestanding base system are engineered in during fabrication to retail-grade structural standards.
A UV-cured primer adhesion layer is applied, followed by vacuum deposition of chrome across 100% of the sculptural surface.
Every piece undergoes 100% pre-shipment inspection across surface finish, structure, and dimensions.
The final presentation
Delivered as a complete turnkey commission, the LOEWE shell sculpture set brings together large-format FRP fabrication and high-complexity vacuum plating in a single production workflow. The finished props carry the mirror precision of a jewellery display object at the physical scale of a window centrepiece.
The project was delivered with weekly milestone reporting, custom large-format crating for international freight to keep safety
How we execute the project
A structured workflow that keeps the brand in control from brief to delivery.
Brief & Concept Alignment
References, dimensions, quantity and finish confirmed up front.
3D Modelling & Scale Drawing
Full renders and technical drawings shared for client sign-off before any physical work.
Prototype & Review
A single sample is produced and documented for feedback and approval.
Production & Delivery
Approved units manufactured, quality-checked and flat-packed for shipping.
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