Longchamp is delighted to announce the opening in May 2006 of La Maison Unique Longchamp, the new mooring for the brand in the USA, downtown SoHo, New York. Longchamp's one hundredth boutique worldwide as well as its new professional trade showroom is housed spectacularly on a surface area of more than 9,000 square feet. It will offer the full line of women's and men's fashion accessories.
The sheer volume of this 1936 building, its wide-open, single room spaciousness with high ceilings and unique structural details immediately struck the Cassegrain family, who have run the French luxury brand since its inception in 1948. Ideally located in the heart of SoHo on the corner of Spring and Greene Streets, the space is SoHo's only two-story building. Longchamp entrusted its interior design to the creative eye of London designer Thomas Heatherwick. The volume of the space is brilliantly and innovatively characterized with touches of humor here and there and is in perfect harmony with the key brand values of Longchamp: chic, creativity, pleasure, appealingly fresh. As stated by Philippe Cassegrain, CEO of Longchamp, "This project is in no way a new sales concept to be deployed the world over, It is, however, a unique architectural ensemble to be appreciated as a one-of-a-kind event."
Heatherwick is known for his unconventional lines, shapes and engineering challenges and his designs are often perceived to be more sculptural than architectural. The boutique's exceptional corner location allows for the perimeter of the building to be lined with windows, tall and wide, and capturing a plethora of natural light that spreads throughout the entire space. The third floor will house the Longchamp showroom and feature a garden terrace.
Established in Paris in 1948 as a maker of fine leather products, the Longchamp brand has been on US soil since 1993. The brand is currently sold at many high-end luxury specialty and freestanding stores around the world. The flagship La Maison Unique Longchamp will be located at 132 Spring Street in New York's fashionable SoHo.