It’s no secret that New York City touts some of the world’s most exclusive brands and designers. And of course, every New Yorker knows there’s something special about the Madison Avenue boutiques, which historically, have been much more fashion-forward and even a bit funkier than their Fifth Avenue counterparts. Bottega Veneta—the newest neighbor on the block beginning next month—has decided to take a more elegant and sophisticated approach, going back to its debut store opening outside of Italy in 1972.
The Italian fashion house has just opened its third and latest “Maison,” on famed Madison Avenue, the other two being in Milan (opened in 2013) and Beverly Hills (opened in 2016). With 15,000 square feet and carrying a wide range of ready-to-wear for men and women, leather goods, eyewear, footwear, timepieces, travel accessories, fragrance, jewelry, handbags and even the home and furniture collection of the super-haute brand, this shop is a must-see addition to the Upper East Side, and the biggest BV ever built. “New York is one of the few cities that speaks to the rest of the world,” began Claus-Dietrich Lahrs, the brand’s CEO. “For this reason, we believe it’s an important investment and statement in terms of size and visibility.”
The impressive building is comprised of “three, landmarked 19th century townhouses that were originally private residences,” according to the brand. Combining expansive interior spaces as well as smaller, more intimate nooks and crannies, the collections are showcased on five floors, with the fourth floor housing the brand’s newest concept called The Apartment—Bottega Veneta’s home and furniture lines, modeled to mimic the aesthetic of a real living space. “The store reflects the love and admiration I have for this city and its architecture,” said Tomas Maier, the Creative Director and visionary who designed the Maison. Inspired by Manhattan’s quintessential cityscape and skyscrapers, Maier made specific, customized design choices to reflect the Concrete Jungle. For instance, he used varied metallic-hues to mirror the sun reflecting off of the city’s buildings, grays and beiges, paying homage to the city streets and shades of green to represent the surrounding ocean.
In addition to showcasing its Fall/Winter 2018 collection for the first time ever at New York Fashion Week, Maier also designed a 33-piece capsule collection called “Icons of New York,” for men and women. The line includes a unique selection of leather goods and bags, featuring quintessential New York themes, such as the subway and the skyline, which will surely be adored by New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike. Standout pieces include the “Intrecciato NY Chain Knot embroidered in silvery Lurex thread with a graphic skyline that, on closer look, is made up of tiny block letters spelling out ‘New York,'” and the “Intrecciato North-East workmanship, available on the Brick backpack and Citydoc document case, [which] portrays the soaring buildings in subtle embroidery as if drawn by a charcoal pencil.”
Photo Credit: Bottega Veneta
For more information, please visit the Bottega Veneta website or visit the Maison at 740 Madison Avenue.
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