Ralph Lauren’s flagship store in New York

08.05.2015 ♦

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What: Ralph Lauren Flagshipstore
Where: Manhattan, New York

The flagship store of Ralph Lauren in New York, 888 Madison Avenue, Corner of 72th

An absolute highlight of shopping are the Ralph Lauren flagship stores on Madison Avenue in New York. At number 888 the ladies get their money’s worth, vis-a-vis the gentlemen in the legendary “Rhinelander Mansion” – one of the few surviving Beaux Arts buildings in Manhattan. A compelling case that I decide immediately to enter the 888, because in this turn-of-the-century- villa not only the women’s collection is shown, but also the home collection that touches the heart of every interior fan.

Unfortunately this is not my new apartment on the Upper Eastside, but the home collection in the Ralph Lauren flagship store, New York

Quite deliberately, the designer has opted a historic house, extensively renovated by the New York architect Weddle Gilmore in collaboration with Thomas Hat by HS2 Architecture, instead of putting on cool “It-Design”.

The property on the Upper East Side was once issued by the rich New Yorker Ruth Brown to the architects McKim, Mead & White and completed in 1893. Mrs. Brown – then widowed – however never moved in. Instead, the millionairess Alva Vanderbilt bought the residence with the white limestone facade in 1895.

A modern interpretation of an four poster bed in the color combination black and white. That always works

And although the building presents the world of Ralph Lauren, it reminds me more of Coco Chanel, as I walked through the impressive, black and white decorated staircase. Elegance and luxury on each of the four floors on approximately 22,000 square feet. I think this villa would be loved by Mademoiselle Chanel. BvH