New openings: luxury stores and pop-ups worldwide.
Ecoalf, Paris
The new store, which spans an area of 150sq m, boasts a multi-disciplinary space that is dedicated to the oceans. Utilising the latest technology, this innovative space invites guests to "travel" to the ocean and learn about the history of the Ecoalf foundation.
“The store represents our vision of maximising our resources and taking advantage of the remains of recycled cotton fabrics by applying them to the walls, columns and floors of the entire space. Other materials we have used are reclaimed wood, iron, and low-consumption LED lights,” said the brand in a statement.
Forte Forte, Los Angeles
It's the first U.S. store of the brand. The boutique, situated on Melrose Place in Los Angeles, was designed by Giada Forte and her partner, art director Robert Vattilana. Located in a 1930s building with shop windows that open to the street, the store is characterized by muslin curtains and skylights that pay homage to artist James Turrell.
A|X Armani, Milan
The first A|X Armani Exchange flagship in Milan opens Monday, more than 30 years after the first store for the brand opened in New York in 1991, and it promises to be the biggest and most representative unit in Europe. The space extends over two levels for a total area of approx 480 square meters and is located in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, a few steps from the square Saint Babila. Part of a building designed by Giò Ponti, in which the store, designed by Giorgio Armani with its team of architects, is essential but with a high visual impact. The façade, characterized by an angular movement, is striking with the three large windows set upon which the luminous initials stand out A e X. The entire project was conceived in such a way as to minimize the environmental impact, from the choice of materials to the finishes and coatings, to the lighting. The materials, from metal to glass, are easily removable, reusable, and recyclable.
Jacquemus, Milan
Jacquemus opens a pop-up store running non-stop from February 25 to 27, during Milan fashion week. The Jacquemus 24/24 retail format presents new products. The designer Simon Porte Jacquemus inaugurated this retail format last December in Paris, a pop-up all in pink that marked the launch of the Bambino Long bag, which will be proposed in the Milano store with a new color.
Stüssy, Paris
The California-based streetwear label opened its first Paris store, designed by Willo Perron, at 44 Rue du Temple in Le Marais. The opening of the store is celebrated by a special capsule collection including a campaign T-shirt shot by Mark Lebon, a a trucker hat, a T-shirt referencing Lebon’s fall 2016 campaign, and a Paris Saint-Germain Nike football jersey.
Biffi B-Contemporary, Milan
Biffi B-Contemporary has reopened its doors after a redesign. The store, the layout of which was designed by Toni Cordero e Nori Studio, is dedicated to a young target. The new boutique is located in Corso Genova in front of the Biffi main shop, a landmark for international fashion designed by Toni Cordero and renewed by the architect Gae Aulenti. Today the Biffi Group has five stores: three in Milan (Biffi Boutiques and Biffi B-Contemporary in Corso Genova and Banner in via Sant'Andrea) and two in Bergamo (Biffi Boutiques e Biffi Boutiques Accessori in via Tiraboschi).
Image: Forte Forte L.A. store. Courtesy Robert Vattilana
