Everyone has a list of places they would like to visit one day. Mine is pretty easy: Paris, Italy, Monaco, the Southern United States, and the Ralph Lauren Flagship Stores, specifically those in New York City, Paris, Milan, and Chicago…
New York, New York…
Opened in October 2010 at 888 Madison Avenue, the New York City Flagship Store for women, fine jewelry, accessories, and home was built to accompany the New York City Flagship Store for men at 867 Madison Avenue (opened a month prior) where Ralph Lauren and his team began the extensive renovation of the Rhinelander Mansion in 1983. The parallel mansions have been restored to reflect the historical Upper East Side in architecture and the Parisian Ralph Lauren stores on Boulevard Saint Germain and Avenue Montaigne in mood. They include such features as terraces, wood-painted and wrought iron-framed windows, arched entryways, crystal chandeliers, hand-cast plaster paneling, and a grand staircase with limestone steps and hand-wrought railings.
 |
| New York City Flagship - 888 Madison Avenue |
 |
| New York City Flagship - 867 Madison Avenue |
An American in Paris…
One of the newest of the Ralph Lauren Flagships, the store at 173 Boulevard Saint Germain in the Latin Quarter was the product of four years of restoration, the work of many artisans, and a labour of love. A dream of Lauren’s to have a Flagship Store in Paris as discussed in his speech to President Sarkozy upon the store’s opening, this store is similar to the others in its content, intricate architectural and design details, and individualized craftsmanship. This, however, doesn’t take away from the store’s unique beauty. The Paris shop features Ralph’s, another of Ralph Lauren’s restaurants (see Chicago), which sits in former horse and carriage stables in the rear buildings and has received praise both for the food and for Lauren’s commitment to having the all-French staff specially trained in cooking traditional American foods, such as hamburgers. : )
 |
| Paris Flagship - 173 Boulevard Saint Germain |
Located at 4 Via Montenapoleone, the Milan Flagship Store opened its doors to four stories of 19th century palazzo-inspired grandeur in 2004. The two lower levels are devoted to the men’s lines, with the third level opening into a glamourous boutique of Ralph Lauren’s women’s collections continued in the fourth story. This shop also features an opulent staircase which soars through all four stories and wraps around a modern glass and bronze elevator. The pairing of the staircase and elevator is described by Lauren as the embodiment of the skilled blending of the modern and the traditional which has made the label so iconic.
 |
| Milan Flagship - 4 Via Montenapoleone |
Swept Away on the Magnificent Mile…
Originally designed as a bank, the largest of the Flagships at 750 North Michigan Avenue underwent a revival inspired by the elegance and sophistication of New York City’s Metropolitan Club to become one of my favourites of their eight Flagship Stores (the other four are located in London, Tokyo, Greenwich, and Moscow). Regal in appearance, this store features a salon for fine timepieces, home collections, men and women’s collections, and collections for children and baby. Lauren’s highly acclaimed first restaurant sits adjacent to the store with a menu inspired by what else but their specialty, American classics. : )
 |
| Chicago Flagship - 750 North Michigan Avenue |
Whether or not you are a fan of Ralph Lauren’s clothing, the architecture and interior design of his stores are a tourist destination in themselves. Lauren said so himself that the fusing of modern and traditional is their forte, but so too is the ability to capture elegance and sophistication without being austere. Every design, clothing or architectural, always exudes both refinement and warmth and that is what sets him apart from so many other designers, and makes him a true style icon to me. : )
Please send me a postcard if you ever get to visit! : )xoxo
No comments:
Post a Comment