The wait is over. Today, At 139 Bond Street, the Azzedine Alaïa flagship London store opens. Bittersweet. Much more than just a three floor store, this is the heart and soul of Alaïa, his vision come to life. Designed and finalised by Azzedine himself in collaboration with Carla Sozzani, into the Alaïa vortex the store swirls. This is another world, one where only the chicest of women shop. Alaïa’s epic love and desire for the best of the best is evident in the chosen designers and artwork that come alive within these historic walls. Lit to pure perfection, daylight floods through huge windows, working with Marc Newson’s spaceship style lights that shine bright, hovering above Naoto Fukasawa’s solid glass benches and Pierre Paulin’s scorching orange table cathedrals, as Martin Szekely delicate bookshelves loom. There’s a sense of fragility felt in the space, grounded by the dark wood that lines Kris Ruhs’ staircase, arched windows and clothes racks and of course Mr Alaïa’s strength, there in spirit. Paulin’s streamlined, deep grape coloured couch sits under waves of daylight, a space for those who knew, who love, who admire Alaïa to come and be. The store will include couture by appointment, ready-to-wear collections, limited edition collections and signature accessories. In all it’s subtle, chic, clever, peaceful glory, this is the way that Alaïa would have wanted it.
