Paris, 1847
A jeweler named Louis-François Cartier opened a small workshop.
He doesn't chase trends, he studies ancient craft. He builds slowly for those who understand luxury is inherited, not acquired. 177 years later, his name means permanence.
This is the standard we hold ourselves to.
The art & science of brand balance.
We are a brand strategy and design consultancy based in Washington, D.C., helping transform brands for visionary businesses around the world.
CRAFTING
THE SUBLIME
Wea are a boutique strategy & design studio dedicated to crafting refined brand worlds for discerning founders, creators, and curators at the intersection of hospitality, bespoke fashion, design, and fine arts.
We create brand identities and immersive experiences that transcend visuals, shaping perception, reputation, and lasting emotional connections. Our work is rooted in craftsmanship, cultural depth, and timeless elegance.
Our Story
Concept No. 9 began in architecture studios, where we learned that identity shapes everything. Before a building is designed, there's a story to tell. Before ground breaks, there's a vision to articulate.
We found ourselves drawn to that part of the process. The naming. The positioning. The visual language that makes a project feel inevitable. Architecture taught us to think in systems, to obsess over materials, to understand that details create meaning.
So we built an atelier around it.
Named for the nine muses of classical antiquity, we approach brand creation as architects approach buildings: structure first, then beauty. Foundation, then flourish. Everything in service of what endures.
Based between Cap Cana & Washington, D.C.. Working globally with those who build for generations.
What We Create
Brand Foundation
The core: name, positioning, visual identity, principles. What defines you and guides every future decision.
Brand Systems
How your identity lives across every touchpoint: digital, environmental, material. Cohesive but never repetitive.
Physical Expression
Working with artisans and production houses internationally to realize your brand.
Strategic Counsel
Ongoing partnership as your brand evolves. We don't build and disappear.
How We Work
Every brand identity emerges from deep collaboration with our partners: understanding not just what they do, but why it matters. Then we work with specialized artisans and production houses across the US, France, Canada, London, and Italy to bring that vision into physical form.
The leather on your menu. The brass on your door. The weight of your business card. These aren't details. They're the brand.
One partnership at a time.
We don't juggle clients. We devote ourselves entirely to one vision until it's realized. This means deeper immersion. Complete focus. The kind of attention your legacy deserves.
We begin where others end: with profound questions about legacy, cultural impact, and market transformation. Through intimate collaboration, we uncover the authentic essence that will define your brand's place in history.
Bespoke Elements May Include:
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Cultural positioning & heritage mapping
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Competitive landscape redefinition
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Audience psychology & desire analysis
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Brand narrative & verbal architecture
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Future vision & expansion strategy
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Strategy informs every creative decision. We craft visual languages that feel inevitable, as if they've always existed, yet are unmistakably yours. Each element is considered, intentional, and built to endure.
Bespoke Elements May Include:
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Distinctive mark & monogram system
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Typographic philosophy & custom letterforms
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Color psychology & material palette
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Illustrative language & iconography
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Photography direction & art principles
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Your brand must live beautifully in the world. We design experiences that create desire, build loyalty, and command premium positioning across every interaction your audience encounters.
Bespoke Elements May Include:
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Digital presence
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Print collateral & packaging concepts
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Spatial design & environmental applications
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Product launch campaigns
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Editorial & content direction
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The evolution. We support long-term growth through seasonal campaigns, product launches, and curated design oversight.
OUR APPROACH
GUIDING PRINCIPLES /
Core Values
creativity
It broadens our perspectives
respect
Builds caring relationships with those we serve and within our teams
quality
Maintains rigorous standards for all of our work, no matter the scale
balance
Taking a proactive stand to create and maintain a healthy work-life balance
quality
Maintaining rigorous standards for all of our work, no matter the scale
vision
We think in the long term
Our Services
Brand Strategy
Including
— Brand Core
— Brand Positioning
— Brand Persona
— Creative Direction
— Brand Strategy Guide
Brand Identity
Including
— Primary + Secondary Logo
— Brand Mark(s)
— Font System
— Color Palette
— Brand Guidelines
Brand Collateral
Including
Environmental Design
— Signage and Wayfinding
Digital & Print Design
— Stationery System (business cards, letterhead, and more)
— Motion Graphics
— Website Design
— E-Commerce Design
