Balenciaga brings a glossy, distorted kind of life into a 1980 Greene Street building, located in the heart of SoHo’s arts and fashion district known for its distinct character and one-of-a-kind shopping experience, offers the latest in ready-to-wear, shoe, bag, jewelry, eyewear, and accessory collections for men and women, as well as special SoHo items.
The ground and mezzanine levels are visually separated with a slab spanning the store’s width, while columns resisting the spatial disruption support a display of shelving composed of saw-cut solid pieces serving as display shelving. Circulation between floors is facilitated by an elevator at one end and a staircase at the other, each presented as freestanding entities, naturally spotlit by a central skylight that pierces through two layers of ceiling.
By design, the building appears to be in disrepair: bare drywall, exposed plaster and a patina finish, which seemingly suspend the space in a state of progress. Underfoot, a vintage-style black and beige tiled floor—resembling that of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s original Paris Couture atelier—adds contrast, while paying tribute to the brand’s history.
For a limited time, an on-site graffiti artist will be customizing customers’ new and classic Balenciaga bags with names, initials, or birthdates. A limited-edition New York version of the brand’s slate grey leather Shopping Tote will also be available only at the new NYC flagship.