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The biggest buzz this weekend was about the new
Ralph Lauren boutique that opened on Madison Avenue. Located across the street from his already famous Rhinelander mansion for men, this one is devoted to women and home. Unlike most retailers who hire the "it architect" of the moment to create a modern store, Ralph Lauren chose to look to the past and to complement the Rhinelander mansion.
The Beaux Arts style limestone beauty was a collaboration between Weddle Gilmore and architect Thomas Hut of
HS2 Architecture with a nod to McKim, Mead & White. It harkens back to the age of Edith Wharton and looks rather grand.
According to
The New York Times, Ruth Brown, a widow, hired McKim, Mead & White in 1893 to design a house at the southwest corner of Madison Avenue at 72nd Street (above). She never moved into the mansion and in 1895 it was sold to Alva Vanderbilt. Work on Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo's "fanciful chateau" on the southeast corner was completed in 1897. It was bought by Ralph Lauren for his store in 1986.
As you can see, there was nothing chic about the building that replaced the original McKim, Mead & White mansion in the 1950's. It later became another Ralph Lauren boutique which was torn down to make way for this chic boutique.
Even though the building is dedicated to Ralph Lauren, there is something about the black and white central staircase with its mirrored walls that reminds me of Coco Chanel. I think she too would have also enjoyed this space.
The whole building is absolutely gorgeous and I highly recommend a visit. Right now, the Ralph Lauren Home boutique occupies the fourth floor but I hear it will be moved to the adjacent brownstone under construction. I'll be sure to keep you posted. Happy Shopping!
888 Madison Avenue
at 72nd Street
New York, NY 10021
212-606-2100
Photos from New York magazine, Vogue, Luxist and The New York Times
My flower obsession continues with the new Prada Prints Collection! Remember when Carrie exclaimed "Hello Lover" in reference to some shows in a store window on Sex and the City? Well, that's what I thought when I saw this fabulous collection! The floral and print fabrics are from the Prada archives and the silhouettes were inspired from a look from the 1950's. I'm going to have to freeze my credit card in a block of ice because I seriously want to buy one of everything! Darn you Prada!
If you follow me on Twitter, then you know I've been stalking the progress of Lanvin store on Madison Avenue. Yesterday I noticed mannequins in the window and asked the nice French girl out front when they were going to open. I was rewarded with the words I was longing to hear, "tomorrow afternoon." Well, tomorrow is today and if anyone needs me, I will be at Lanvin shopping until I drop! While I am away, you can enjoy this sneak peak from WWD. A tout à l'heure!
Photos fromn WWD.com
There are a lot of wonderful events coming up in the next few weeks but the first I want to remind you about is Housing Works annual event Design on a Dime. More than 40 fabulous designers, stores and vendors have created rooms and donated products where everything is up for sale to benefit Housing Works. My friends from Flair (that's their room from last year above) have already told me that their room this year will be "quite something!" Kristen McGinnis had some wonderful pieces donated for her room this year including a rug from The Rug Company and wallpaper from Farrow & Ball. I bought a great cachepot from Charlotte Moss last year and can't wait to see what she's got for sale this year! You can see the entire list of those participating online. You can attend the opening night event this Thursday for $150 which gives you first dibs on all the best wares or you can attend the free public days Friday and Saturday. I'll be at Thursday night's event with all my wonderful designer friends and I look forward to shopping up a storm! See you there! 
I was shopping for clients in Soho last week and one of my favorite stops is always Aero. The shop is always inspiring and full of treasures but this time even more so. They had just unpacked and displayed a huge shipment of what they call "smalls." If you need a hostess gift, a wedding present or just a little something for yourself, there is a bonanza from which to choose! I took home a beautiful glass tortoiseshell ice bucket that is new but looks old. What I love the most about Aero is that you can't tell the vintage from the contemporary. My sign of a great store! Happy Shopping!
Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic