Louis Vuitton has unveiled a creative facade for its flagship store renovation on New York’s East 57th Street, wrapping the ongoing construction in a design inspired by the brand’s iconic luggage. The façade, designed by Louis Vuitton’s in-house team, features six large trunks of varying sizes, stacked in descending order, creating a striking visual tribute to the brand’s storied history.
The trunks’ grey color is a nod to the brand’s 19th-century Trianon Grey canvas, a historic material that has long been part of Louis Vuitton’s legacy. Real metal details such as handles, locks, rivets, and chrome-plated steel hardware have been used, with the largest handle weighing a massive 5,000 pounds. The facade incorporates 3D scans of authentic Louis Vuitton trunks, hand-welded steel corners, and 840 rivets etched with the brand’s name.
The trunks are illuminated with strips of lighting around their perimeters, and black and brown bands suggest leather linings, adding further depth to the structure.
In the midst of this renovation, Louis Vuitton has relocated its operations to a temporary space just around the corner at 6 East 57th Street. This five-story building houses a chocolate shop, men’s and women’s fashion, and the brand’s first café in the U.S. The interior design stays true to the original structure, featuring light woods, cream tones, and exposed concrete elements.
To enhance the experience, four 16-meter-tall sculptures by OMA partner Shohei Shigematsu dominate the lobby atrium. These sculptures, modeled after Louis Vuitton’s famous trunks, are crafted to actual product specifications and arranged in dynamic, counterbalancing formations. Each sculpture is distinguished by different Louis Vuitton materials, including the brand’s historic stripes, Monogram canvas, and metallic finishes.
The store also features select furniture pieces from the nearby flagship, contributing to Louis Vuitton’s commitment to “circular creativity,” alongside new designs by renowned figures like Carlo Mollino and Charlotte Perriand.
The temporary location also includes oversized sculptures of a giraffe and an ostrich, plus a façade decorated with Louis Vuitton motifs and bright exterior lights. While the renovation continues, the flagship is expected to nearly double in size once completed, after which the temporary store will close.
Louis Vuitton’s new space aspires to make a lasting impression on both New Yorkers and travelers, combining retail with art and design. Known for collaborating with leading figures in architecture and design, the brand continues to innovate, recently working with Frank Gehry on special collections.
Louis Vuitton’s flagship renovation in New York underscores the brand’s commitment to creativity and sustainability, blending heritage with modern design in a way that speaks to both the past and the future.
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