It may be located smack bang in tourist Mecca that is Mercer Street, but Balenciaga’s vault-like SoHo store heralds more than a serious dose of sophistication – it’s also the brand’s first boutique launch under artistic director Alexander Wang. Though an imposing 415 sq m, it comprises intimate salons that showcase the house’s ready-to-wear, accessories, eyewear and fragrance lines.
Wang collaborated on the project with 28-year-old New York designer Ryan Korban (whom he met at Parsons before commissioning him to design his own home), working primarily with classical Verde Ramegiatto marble (its grain reminds you of a grand 20th-century bank), limestone and forest-green suede. More contemporary accents include ‘cracked resin’ for a mineral effect, poured concrete and ‘caviar’ embroidered upholstery, referencing the house’s Avenue George V headquarters. With its distinct veining, the dark green marble is a central symbol of the boutique’s identity, while a curving LED skylight veiled by a geometric metal trellis emits a soft glow – echoing museum-quality lighting.
ADDRESS
Balenciaga
148 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012 USA
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