Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
Photo via WWD.
Retail buzz is never too quiet on storied Madison Avenue, but 2013 really brought the news, with major flagships opening, relocating, and expanding on the posh row. After the jump, the major Mad Ave stories that reestablished just how powerful the luxury shopping promenade is.
January
Photo courtesy of Rag & Bone.
In under a year of tenancy, Rag & Bone abruptly exits the Avenue, claiming "a one-year pop up lease," despite lengthly WSJ and WWD articles on the opening (neither of which mentioned the lease terms).
Meanwhile, Lanvin quietly opens a dedicated men's store at 807 Madison. It's three levels just for the guys, but opens up without much buzz.
August
Valentino opens a four story townhouse where Loro Piana once stood. They complement the palace of luxury with plans for a Fifth Avenue store, a duality that became common in 2013.
Even Marc Jacobs is jumping on the Madison/Fifth Ave train with plans announced for a "very large" Marc by Marc Jacobs flagship on Fifth and a Marc Jacobs Collection store on Madison, both due in 2014. Yes, you heard correctly: not one, but TWO uptown Marc Jacobs stores.
September
ODLR. Photo by WWD.
Oscar de la Renta goes ahead and doubles their store, carving out dedicated areas for accessories, home, and more.
Alexander McQueen officially completes the transition from Meatpacking District to Upper East Side, really putting the nail in the coffin for once-edgy-now-malltastic MePa.
Fendi ditches Fifth for Madison—"Everybody on Fifth wants to be on Madison," says Faith Hope Consolo of Prudential Douglas Elliman. The move sets off a domino effect, wherein Mont Blanc looks to Baccarat's space and Baccarat eyes a storefront previously occupied by Searle.
October
The always furry J.Mendel moved to 787 Madison Avenue after 18 years at 723 Madison. The new store is double the size and boasts three dressing rooms, previously an issue admitted designer Gilles Mendel: "We didn't even have conceived fitting rooms. I was selling evening gowns and women would undress in the mezzanine."
December
Givenchy announces they'll return to the Avenue! Their store at 710 Madison closed in 2008—the new location will take 747 Madison Avenue (right next to McQueen), with a projected holiday 2014 opening.
Loading comments...