Online shopping is overrated. While there’s something to be said for the ease and accessibility of internet sourcing, an in-person exchange offers what a virtual one can’t. It’s the instant gratification of swiping your card instead of typing in those 16 digits (every single time). The unique camaraderie you can only feel in a fitting room as you share the mirror with a stranger. The sensorial experience of browsing different goods and fabrics you just can’t touch or smell through a screen.
Shopping IRL is an intimate affair, and brands relish in welcoming you into their worlds; a world that’s meant to be felt and not just seen in cyberspace. Whether you’re connecting with the brand, the products, the sales people, or the environment, the in-person experience allows you to explore the merchandise using all five senses… It’s what every brick and mortar wishes you knew, and something we tend to overlook in today’s digital age. Is the mere convenience of clicking a button worth the loss of outside-world experience?
In a toast to interconnectivity, Christian Louboutin has reopened its New York City flagship; a store that embodies everything we hold sacred about IRL shopping. With a newly-imagined space, the transformed boutique, situated at 965-967 Madison Ave., promises a moment of luxury worth escaping the city streets for. The store offers 4,000 square feet of thoughtfully curated shoes and leather goods for both men and women as well as offerings from Christian Louboutin Beaute and the Christian Louboutin Kid’s collection — the maison’s first flagship in the US to do so. In short, the product selection is undeniably expansive — and it’s far from the store’s only draw.
The store is an NYC destination unto itself. The inside pays homage to Christian Louboutin’s love for Egypt and is designed to feel tranquil, homey, and bright. Upon entering, guests are greeted with whimsical details such as hand-sketched papyrus plinths, signature red carpets (a nod to the designer’s first store in Paris), antique wrought-iron gates purchased by Mr. Louboutin himself, and various custom-made elements crafted in Egypt.
The store is not just a feast for your eyes. The scent of Fétiche Le Cuir, a best-selling fragrance from the brand’s Fétiche perfume collection, wafts through the air, thanks to a speciality diffuser — the first of its kind to be installed in the region. The store also features a first-of-its-kind VIP Salon, which was created specifically to enrich the client experience. From the illuminated arch displays to the luxurious fabrics designed by Louis Barthelemy for Pierre Frey, every detail of the new store was carefully considered, and it shows.
Stop in (or book an appointment to discover Christian Louboutin’s services) to feel transported to an Egyptian oasis and discover the maison’s SS25 collection. Feel the textures, try on the latest designs, and immerse yourself in the world of Christian Louboutin, experiencing the brand in the way it was intended to be experienced. Bet your favorite dot com can’t do all that.
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