Fendi has opened its New York City flagship, now relocated on the corner of 57th Street in Manhattan’s Fuller Building.
Spanning over 6,900 square feet, Women’s and Men’s Ready-to-Wear Collections, accessories, and leather goods are presented across two levels featuring Kim Jones’s debut Fall 21-22 collection for the house. The landmark building, originally designed to house art galleries, is reinterpreted in a one-of-a-kind concept realized by Fendi, in creative collaboration with Artistic Directors Kim Jones and Silvia Venturini Fendi, transforming the idea of a gallery into a new contemporary vision. As a symbol of heritage, the facade maintains its original aesthetic to preserve the building’s historic appearance. Six see-through led curtains spanning vertically on three levels show images of Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, Fendi’s headquarters in Rome. The theme of the windows is inspired by iconic Fendi signatures, transforming in a ‘new way’ the parchment leather from the Fendi Archive trunks, the Selleria stitching, new modern gold metal , and the recognizable silhouette of the iconic Peekaboo bag.
Upon entering, guests immediately discover a sphere suspended at the center of a double-height void emphasized with a modular ceiling combination of round lamps. Visible from the façade, the glass sphere is a unique experience for the clients, accessible through a floating mirrored walkway on the second floor displaying a precious Fendi First bag sculpture realized entirely in marble, in two sizes, uniquely signed by Silvia Venturini Fendi and Kim Jones side to side with the Fendi First bags.
The interior plays with materials that highlight Fendi’s codes and tradition of dualism, pairing industrial cement columns and beams with luxurious touches of marble, brass, and steel, accentuated with plush carpeting. Floors and walls are characterized by perspective cuts created with the alternation of materials that highlight Women’s leather goods and accessories. Arabescato Vagli marble recalls the architecture of Roman churches, creating a grander atmosphere.
Leading up to the shoe area, central concrete benches with leather cushions and gold elements run parallel to the room. Luxury and craftsmanship meet unexpected and surprising twists rooted in Italian heritage.
Up the marble staircase, the second floor opens to a display of Women’s Ready-to-Wear in an open space area with a soft palette of ivory and natural tones accentuated by hues of warm gold and filled with exquisite Italian-designed furniture. Sliding three-dimensional brass doors unveil the VIP Room designed to have a soft cocoon feel created by curved ivory mohair walls and pink carpeting.
A special lounge area with glass walls and luminous ceiling enrich the client experience on this floor and can be privatized with ivory curtains decorated with an archive version of the FF logo designed by Karl Lagerfeld, a luxurious touch is featured by marble serving sets, upcycled from the pavements of Fendi Couture Spring 2021 show.
Adjacent to this space, a Men’s area carries a warm and masculine feeling with wooden accents and leather sofas.
The concept of whispered luxury is expressed in each fitting room that reveals in its inside a vibrant color story, filled with fur bench, carpeting, metal ceilings, and precious marble walls such as pink and Juliet crystal, green Patagonia, and Alaska white.
Launching on July 21st, Fendi will offer a 360 virtual store for guests to experience the design of the new flagship on FENDI.com, where they can enjoy shopping at the new boutique from any location. Visitors will be able to virtually experience exclusive services and spaces such as VIP rooms, create wishlists, and live chat. Covetable new products will be hot-spotted for exclusive content and will be fully shoppable on FENDI.com.
