Louis Vuitton’s SoHo store (116 Greene Street), opened in 1998, has long been a special outpost for the brand, one that chosen repeatedly to host some of its most important global events. The SoHo location also has the distinction of being the first store in the U.S. to carry Vuitton’s ready-to-wear line, which was also launched in 1998. The store was recently revamped and expanded, with the enlarged space redesigned by Peter Marino, an architect renowned for his re-imaginings of luxury retail settings and his skillful use of art within them. (See the Phaidon book: Peter Marino: Art Architecture).
For Greene Street Marino devised a new gallery concept, also the first of its kind for the US market (although you can find a similar atelier approach in the Vuitton St. Germain store in Paris.) A range of artists have been commissioned to create pieces especially for the new 10,000 square-foot space, which also houses a display for Vuitton’s Objets Nomades – a collection of furniture and home accessories designed in collaboration with both established and up-and-coming designers. Throughout the space you’ll also find contemporary artworks like the large-scale installation by Japanese artist Shuji Mukai, which were commissioned by Marino. To mark the opening of redesigned SoHo store, Vuitton is offering a number of exclusive products,, including a special Capucines bag with a New York skyline, a gold Star Ankle boot for women, and Runaway sneakers for men, as well as an exclusive pre-launch of “The Party” eyewear. The store will also carry Vuitton ready-to-wear, accessories, leather goods and fragrance.
If you stop by the any Louis Vuitton store this week keep in mind that the brand launches its first #makeapromise day on January 12th, to raise funds for children in need around the world. In the last year, Louis Vuitton for UNICEF has helped raised $2.5 million to help bring children life-saving humanitarian support in Syria and Nigeria.
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