The floor plan suggests a half hexagon and a wedge; materials include troweled cement, black oak, steel and panels of gray glass. The stark interior and subtle lighting highlight the interplay between the materials and clothing. The minimalist new Rubin & Chapelle boutique at Fashion Island has been described as a hybrid of an art gallery and fashion boutique.

“There is mood, there is nuance, there is discovery,” agrees UE Architecture partner Jeff Goldberger, its designer. “A hint here, a hint there, you enjoy exploring the space. It contrasts with the center’s lovely outdoors but certainly doesn’t take away from its luxury.”

Strikingly displayed on mannequins and high on shelves, clothing and accessories include satchels, totes and bags, bias- and spiral-cut silk tops, dresses and tailored jackets, all suggesting effortless sophistication. The dressing and fitting room area create a runway effect.

Local artisans take an old-world approach to sewing, draping and tailoring that highlights the line’s sustainable luxury sensibilities. Think ethics meets aesthetics.

Founders Sonja Rubin and Kip Chapelle were early sustainability adherents. Their watchwords: “Perpetual modernity is our ultimate goal and working toward ethical production is our means.” They opened their first boutique in Manhattan in 2002.

Fashion Island is the third. The center “has always been a special place for me,” Chapelle says. “I love the calm and sophisticated atmosphere of the property. The center and the surrounding coastal community embody a lifestyle that values our high-quality fabrics and designs as well as our commitment to ethical and sustainable processes.”

Rubin & Chapelle collections have been featured at Vienna’s MAK Museum and New York City’s Museum of Arts and Design. Their garments are in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Artists are invited to create bespoke patterns and textile prints for the designers’ R&C Projects.