Devi Kroell Gives The UES Something To Talk About

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Are neighbors complaining yet? We wonder what the Upper East Side thinking of their newest resident: the first NYC boutique (though she has one already in East Hampton) of fashion designer Devi Kroell. The current shocking-pink construction plywood can be seen from blocks up and down Madison Avenue, and although her fashion style meshes well with the UES, this fluoro facade is something else.

Kroell, who won the CFDA accessory design award in 2006 and loves to work with exotic leathers, just released her first ready-to-wear collection this spring, which we'd describe as elegant but showing a possible aversion to tailoring. The shop is due to open in Fall and is being designed by the people behind the Royalton Hotel's revamp.

Hmm?we wonder if Devi is claiming that free Mini Cooper for leasing the space?
· Storecasting: Devi Kroell [Racked]
· Devi Kroell [Official Site]
· Free Mini Cooper for Leasing 717 Madison Avenue? NYC Retail is Mixed News [BrokerTales]

UPDATE: We're told store design is actually by Space4Architecture, the firm behind outposts for Bulgari, Costume National, Jill Sander, and Solange, among others.