Daily Front Row

2009 April 7

Derek Lam Lands in New York

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(NEW YORK) Though the taxi-top adverts proclaiming “Derek Lam, Open Now” may be a bit of a tease, fear not: Lam’s flagship (and first stand-alone store) is slated to open by the end of the month at 12 Crosby Street. The design team behind the store is none other than SANAA, the Tokyo-based architecture duo Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa who opened the New Museum just a year and a half ago. “I am thrilled to work with architects who share my design philosophy and whose work I so greatly admire,” said Lam in a statement. “SANAA has created a retail environment that is minimalist, functional, intimate and warm. The store concept will be an important step towards solidifying the identity of the brand.”

As for the much anticipated décor? Shoppers can expect custom fitted furniture of wood and aluminum, a one-pour concrete floor, original brick walls painted white, and transparent acrylic organic forms, each not only housing a different collection but also casting shimmering light across the space. The 2,800 square-foot boutique, which neighbors Jil Sander, jewelry designer Ted Muehling, antiques specialist De Vera, and custom furniture store BDDW, will offer Lam’s ready-to-wear and accessories.  
EMILY GYBEN