IMAGE: CHANEL

Chanel, along with the city of NYC, will be the talk of the town (and Instagram) come December, with its highly anticipated Metiers D’Art 2018 collection presentation taking place at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on 4 December 2018. But for now, here’s another newsworthy piece about the Parisian luxury brand’s refurbished flagship store on 57th Street, a sprawling 14,000 square-foot space that includes everything from RTW to bags to accessories, with dedicated spaces for beauty, watches and fine jewellery housed in Chanel’s largest boutique in the United States.

IMAGES: CHANEL

Designed by New York-based architect Peter Marino, the boutique that spans 5 levels is finished with a white printed glass facade framed by a black metal grid that references Chanel’s house colours. In the interior, the focus lies on the spiral central staircase that spans four storeys, with several art pieces displayed within, like the 60-foot tall sculpture commissioned by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel.

Moving inward, the star of the first floor would be a wall of folded panels in dark crackle lacquer (one that emulates Coromandel screens) that houses the Watches & Fine Jewellery salon, lighted up by a bronze and crystal chandelier created by Maison d’art Goossens. The second floor will be all about shoes, featuring signature creations like the ballerina flat, beach espadrille, sneakers and two-toned slingback, with another section dedicated to the house’s key bags like the 2.55, 11.12, 31, Boy Chanel and Gabrielle.

Go up another floor and you’ll find your favourite RTW and knitwear, with the fourth showcasing even more timepieces and fine jewellery. The fifth? Well, it is a private shopping suite reserved for the French luxury house’s most dedicated clients.

IMAGES: CHANEL

And with every store opening (or in this case, reopening) comes exclusive products such as the limited edition 2.55 bag and wallet that’s decorated with New York-inspired charms, as well as a stunning steel Code Coco watch with diamond-set bezel and mirror dial. Something else to look out for would be the launch of an all-new scent to celebrate the opening, one titled Les Exclusifs de Chanel 1957 that’s created by Chanel’s in-house perfumer Olivier Polge. In other words, this is another must-see destination to include in your upcoming Big Apple itinerary.

IMAGES: CHANEL