Lalique, the iconic crystal house internationally revered as the epitome of French luxury, has officially announced the opening of its immersive retail and lifestyle flagship, situated in the historic Chopard Mansion on New York City’s Upper East Side.
According to certain reports, this five-story townhouse is markedly designed to serve as a global destination where clients, interior designers, and architects can come and seamlessly delve into what the company describes as World of Lalique. More on that would reveal how the stated flagship, named as “Maison d’Artiste,” offers a residential setting, inspired by the homes of collectors, art lovers, and artists alike.
“The Maison d’Artiste was inspired by the interiors of art lovers, artists and collectors who invite visitors to experience art and craftmanship in an inspiring ‘home’ setting. Like an artistic hub, this welcoming venue fosters collaboration and connection, serving as a place for celebrating artistry and sharing creative inspiration,” said Marc Larminaux, Artistic and Creative Director of Lalique.
Talk about the whole value proposition on a slightly deeper level, we begin from its Salon d’Exploration where, upon entering, visitors are greeted by a fluid space showcasing Lalique’s latest collections to offer an early glimpse into the brand’s newest creations.
Next up, there is a space dedicated towards brand’s assortment of iconic collections. Here, you are likely to see a breathtaking atrium focused on Lalique’s core artistry and captivating crystal creations. Offering a blend of masterpieces and iconic, timeless pieces, this particular space represents craftsmanship and artistic excellence, many of which are influenced by Larminaux’s own visionary approach.
Another detail worth a mention here is rooted in the property’s jewelry salon, which showcases delicate crystal jewelry collections, with each piece delivering a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary design.
In fact, to celebrate the opening of Maison d’Artiste, Lalique has even created one “Manhattan” necklace, a perfect interpretation of an original drawing by René Lalique. Such a unique white gold piece, entirely paved with diamonds, treads up a long distance to illustrate the famous New York skyline.
Moving on, we now must dig into the property’s Veranda d’Essences, which invites guests to an olfactory journey. Decked up with a rather immersive discovery of Lalique’s expertly crafted perfumes and home fragrances, Veranda d’Essences brings to the fore latest crystal limited-edition perfumes, along with enchanting candles. Here, each fragrance is an experience of the senses, capturing the essence boasted by Lalique’s rich perfume heritage.
Joining that would be a new Lalique Art Gallery. This gallery effectively celebrates unique concepts and collaborations with globally renowned artists and designers such as James Turrell, Damien Hirst, and Zaha Hadid. Such an amalgamation of art and crystal goes on to display exceptional, limited-edition pieces. The gallery in question is also understood to be the largest Lalique Art Gallery till date.
There is a bar & lounge area, as well. Inspired by the Orient Express, the area features a special presentation of Vignobles Silvio Denz, the private vineyards owned by Lalique Group’s Executive Chairman. Beyond that, guests can enjoy an exceptional cocktail program, experiencing the brand’s co-branded spirits in an ambiance which epitomizes the Lalique lifestyle.
Hold on, we still have a few bits left to unpack, considering we haven’t yet touched upon the availability of a Lalique Interior Design Studio (LIDS). The studio conceives a possibility to discover crystal components and fixtures just like they are in the studio’s Parisian location. As the first Lalique Interior Design Studio outside of Paris, it is also a place for designers, architects, and contractors to come for inspiration.
Rounding up highlights would be the property’s staircase. This staircase will be adorned with a hand painted mural by New York City native Chris “DAZE” Ellis, a pioneer of the early street art movement of the 1970s. The mural will also pack together iconic motifs from the three themes that continuously inspire Lalique’s creations: femme, flora and fauna.
“With the launch of this new flagship, we are crafting more than a retail space — we are creating a unique journey into the heart of Lalique,” said Silvio Denz.