The color gris noir, which appears black but is and remains an almost black, was the subject of lively discussions between designer Alessandro Dell’Acqua and architect Hannes Peer. This color lends a theatrical, austere, and at the same time sculptural quality to the 1980s postmodern building, now the headquarters of the brand N°21.

The project is based on the idea of utilizing as many Milanese architectural and stylistic elements as possible, combining them to create a contemporary and eclectic ensemble. The entrance door, featuring a geometric black steel grid held together by hundreds of brass rings, leads into the atrium. Here, layers of marble—from black Marquinia to green St. Denis—antique-style mirrored inserts, Venini lamps by Toni Zuccheri, a three-dimensional plaster ceiling, and a rosewood reception desk carry forward the concept of an airy and lavish modernist atmosphere reminiscent of a palazzo lobby.

The space that best translates the stylistic codes of N°21 into architectural and design language is Alessandro’s private office. Defined by its layered materiality, it is a private yet spectacular space with 7-meter-high ceilings and a skylight that casts precise beams of light onto a concrete wall with a boiserie effect. A six-meter-long suspended sideboard in oxidized brass runs along this wall. In this way, architect Peer interprets the theme of contrast that characterizes the brand's collections—a mix of luxurious and sporty fabrics, chiffon, and crêpe de Chine embellished with crystal applications and encrustations.

A completely different atmosphere is found in the showroom on the same floor. This single open space features an industrial white concrete floor that transitions at the back into an intricate geometric marble inlay. It is furnished with pieces by Le Corbusier and Marcel Breuer. Natural light, streaming in through side windows and a backlit polycarbonate ceiling, gently illuminates garments and accessories from the new collections displayed on elegant stainless steel stands.

The workspaces on the first floor resemble a scientific laboratory—sterile and functional, yet intensely productive and brimming with creativity. It is here that Alessandro Dell’Acqua, his long-standing staff, and many young talents with fresh ideas work on two brands: N°21 and Rochas, the iconic French label for which he serves as artistic director.

“My signature in terms of unexpected contrasts is the same,” says Dell’Acqua. “What makes the difference is the idea of the woman. The eccentric one, who wears Rochas couture with effortless ease, and the practical yet sensual one, who mixes masculine and feminine to wear N°21. I enjoy moving quickly between one collection and the other. Having the design office, administration, commercial team, and press office all under one roof gives me a bit of time to nurture my passion for cinema—especially from the 1950s, memories of Neapolitan afternoons spent in cinema halls with my grandfather.”

Text: Francesca Benedetto for Elle Decor Italia