Following the relocation of its downtown flagship store to leafy Madison Avenue seven years ago, Alexander McQueen has returned to the area in a rather grand fashion to open a second flagship store in New York City. Occupying 6.600 sq.ft. (approx. 613 sqm.) set across two floors of a late 19th-century building with an ornate façade and cast-iron fire escape, the premises are much bigger than the outpost uptown, and obviously feature the luxury brand’s latest design codes as formulated by its creative director Sarah Burton and Chilean-Croatian architect Smiljan Radić. Infused with a variety of timber, such as oak and walnut, light and dark, it’s a firm nod to the brand’s core values which take ample cues from nature, but there’s obviously much more to this retail space. Reflecting the fashion house’s hailed craftsmanship, traditional techniques are paired with visionary modern design and innovation. The building’s original steel support beams with their decorative Corinthian capitals have been retained, adding historic touch to modern ground floor setting that’s anchored by an unapologetically large glass cylinder. Large marble blocks dot the premises and effortlessly serve as bold displays, juxtaposed with finely crafted cylindric wooden cabinets, seating areas and suspended mannequins. A nifty new cladding, dubbed cotton-crete, a cotton-based papier mâché which was first revealed at last year’s opening of the brand’s retail space on London‘s Old Bond Street, adorns the walls and ceiling. The new Alexander McQueen Soho flagship store carries the brand’s full range of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories.
