ical Greek order, and added pilasters and ornate crown moldings, giving the space a strong, opulent character. Walking into the 1155-square-foot store located at 67 Wall Street gives the consumer the feeling of walking back in time into a bourgeois apothecary, rather than a store built in the 2020s. Sylvie Kilduff, the president and general manager of Aesop’s American division, told Inside Retail, “When choosing a site, we carefully assess its unique design potential, and the Wall Street location stood out from the start, situated in a historic building that has retained much of its original facade and maritime details. Our store occupies the original lobby of the building, paying tribute to New York’s art deco style. We have preserved its grandeur while intentionally softening and warming up the space with custom millwork, our signature lighting, and the addition of a dramatic chandelier that blends harmoniously with the original design. “This store exemplifies our approach to store design, where we retain many original materials and create a space that seamlessly integrates into the neighborhood, giving the impression that we have always been a part of it,” Kilduff concluded. Hoka New York City California-based high-tech footwear brand Hoka has opened its inaugural US flagship store at 579 Fifth Avenue in one of Manhattan’s premier shopping destinations. The 9000-square-foot flagship store was collaboratively designed by Hoka’s internal team and the Vermont-based design agency G4 to reflect the brand’s origin in the French Alps and its core passions of innovation and athleticism. Features include a rock wall encircling the elevator and mannequins posed mid-stride, mimicking the position of a typical Hoka wearer. The store is meant to provide a welcoming space for both serious athletes and novices to learn more about the health-focused lifestyle, with plenty of technology offerings to showcase the product to the best of its ability. Hoka has partnered with SafeSize, a 3D shoe scanning technology provider, to provide foot-scanning services in-store. Meanwhile, QR codes on shelves allow consumers to scan to learn more about different footwear models before making a purchase. These technologies, coupled with a treadmill for customersto test-drive possible purchases, make it easier for people to navigate Hoka’s wide assortment and find the best products for their specific needs. As Brooke Lord, vice president and general manager of Hoka US, told Inside Retail, “The NYC flagship store marks an achievement, demonstrating our expansion and commitment to supporting all athletes. This store not only showcases the brand’s dedication to the running community but also functions as a hub for innovation, where visitors can explore the latest breakthroughs in footwear technology and design. It’s a space created to inspire and connect, providing an in-depth look at the core of the Hoka vision.” Wayfair Wilmette, Illinois Digital-first furniture and home goods retailer Wayfair, based in Boston, opened its first-ever large-format store at Edens Plaza in Wilmette, Illinois. Located at 3232 Lake Avenue, the two-level space, which spans about 150,000 square feet, was designed as a one-stop shopping destination for all things home, from housewares to furniture to home-improvement products. Walking through the doors of the large warehouse, which is decked out in the brand’s signature white-and-purple color palette, shoppers are invited to check out the “Wayborhood” via a cheerful sign stating, “Hey there, neighbor.” In addition to its array of home-related products, the store offers a cafe, The Porch, where shoppers can dine in between or post-shopping forays, along with free onsite design services and advice from home-improvement professionals. Wayfair commissioned artist Alyssa Low, a Chicago resident and Illinois native, to create a custom mural that weaves in references to both Chicago and Wilmette on the north exterior wall of the store. Liza Lefkowski, vice president of merchandising and stores, stated, “We are committed to providing ourcustomers with unparalleled shopping experiences, tailored to their preferences, whether they choose to shop online or in-store. “The opening of our Wilmette location marks an exciting chapter for Wayfair, reinforcing our position as the premier destination for home goods. Our store is thoughtfully designed to be both inspirational andpractical, empowering shoppers to create spaces that are just right for them.” J Crew New York City New York City’s J Crew has added a chic, new store to its New York rotation. Located at 19 Bond Street, J Crew’s newest men’s-focused concept store offers a more comprehensive J Crew experience than its previous location in the Bowery, while maintaining special elements unique to this space. The 3800-square-foot space boasts a modern white oak interior with a wood-clad ceiling, creating a warm atmosphere. The store’s design combines functional elements like open-fitting rooms and a modular wall system with aesthetic touches such as British racing green tiles and specialized lighting. The basement area, with its preserved columns and an upscale ambience, pays homage to the building’s history while offering visitors a distinct shopping experience. Overall, the store’s design balances modern coastal vibes upstairs with a salon-style atmosphere downstairs, reflecting both contemporary fashion trends and classic J Crew aesthetics. Brendon Babenzien, J Crew’s men’s creative director, commented, “We’ve emphasized the best of J Crew men’s. That means specialty sportswear pieces, limited-edition items and curated vintage J Crew pieces, highlighting the quality and timelessness of our products, as well as our best expression of suits, shoes and cashmere. “This store features all of what people have come to know and trust from us, along with some surprises that will present themselves from time to time,” Babenzien promised. LuisaViaRoma New York City This July, LuisaViaRoma an Italian luxury fashion, home decor and lifestyle retailer, opened its first US store in downtown Manhattan on 1 Bond Street, between the streets of Broadway and Lafayette. Walking into the 11,366-square-foot store, consumers first encounter an elevated space that combines custom-made and vintage furnishings, with fixtures and clay flooring made with materials imported from Tuscany. While browsing, clients can shop both physically and digitally via touchscreens in the store linked to thebrand’s website, where they can place orders that will be shipped directly to their homes. Adding to the ambience, Dashwood Books has curated a selection of books at the front of the store and sound design has been curated by Arman Naféei, who is known for his work as the music director at André Balazs’ hotels. Additionally, the store has a secluded shopping space for its VIP clientele, where select couture pieces and high-end jewelry are available to explore. The 2217-square-foot floor is cloaked in a luminous pink. Clients can access the private level via a discreet VIP entrance, where they can enjoy exclusive benefits, including concierge styling services and special access to curated product categories. On the company’s brick-and-mortar debut in the US, LuisaViaRoma’s CEO Tommaso Andorlini commented, “This chic, multi-brand fashion heaven is designed for our global customers who crave the high-touch, in-person shopping experience. While our digital platform continues to deliver top-notch,around-the-clock service, our New York flagship will cater to the city’s trendsetters with exclusive goods and unique experiences best savored in person.” Revolve x Fwrd Aspen, Colorado California-based Revolve Group recently opened a permanent location in Aspen, Colorado, at 410 E Hyman Avenue. The decision follows a successful pop-up collaboration between Revolve and its sister site Fwrd, which took place in the same space last December. The pop-up “not only drove substantial sales but also proved to be an exceptional channel for brand building and acquiring new customers,” the company disclosed. Nestled in Aspen’s iconic shopping district, the new store is designed to house both Revolve and Fwrd collections, providing a unique, immersive shopping experience that blends contemporary styles with high-end designer pieces. On the first floor, shoppers can expect to find not only collections from beloved Revolve brands such as L’Academie and Lovers + Friends, but also exclusive products specifically designed for the Aspen customer. On the second floor, shoppers will be immersed in Fwrd’s world of luxury, including a curated collection of luxury fashion brands as well as Fwrd Renew, a line of pre-owned bags and accessories from brands such as Isabel Marant, Acne Studios and more. Regarding the shop’s location in the famous ski resort town, Michael Mente, co-CEO and co-founder of Revolve Group, explained. “Aspen represents the epitome of luxury, making it the perfect location for our first permanent storefront. We are excited to bring our unique brand experience to a new audience, combining the convenience of online shopping with the personalized service and engagement that only a physical store can offer.” Silk Laundry Los Angeles, California Silk Laundry is a nearly 10-year-old Australian fashion label known for its silk slip dresses, which boast a fan base that includes the likes of Florence Pugh and Emily Ratajkowski. The brand recently launched its sixth location, styled by interior design firm Gauley Brothers, in Los Angeles, California, at 8412 Melrose Avenue. Stepping through the glass doors, consumers are greeted by playful mannequins holding paper mache fruits and vegetables and sporting the effortlessly stylish designs. Diffused lights, custom-made walnut timber pieces and floor-to-ceiling mirrors help create a soothing environment. Considering Silk Laundry’s second-biggest market outside of Australia is the United States, especially California, the addition of this location makes perfect sense. It joins the brand’s existing four locations spread throughout Australia, and one outpost in Canada. As Katie Kolodinski, founder and creative director of the apparel brand, commented, “Silk Laundry is quite ideal for LA’s weather. One of the reasons I started the brand was because I was really hot in Australia. Silk is light and breezy to wear. Los Angeles sales should be more consistent across the year.” Silk Laundry CEO Reece Rackley added that as “an independent business, Silk Laundry can chart its own course at its own pace and maintain focus on the creativity and quality of what we produce. We are still focused on sales growth and brand expansion, but it’s important to us that we stay designer-led and that the team supports Katie’s vision as the primary driver.” This story first appeared in the September 2024 issue of Inside Retail US magazine.