With a Redesigned Flagship, Armani’s On Point

Those already bemoaning the end of New York Fashion Week can take solace in the reopening of the Armani flagship store this week, after a stunning renovation. The redesign of the 21,000-square-foot Armani showcase was overseen by Giorgio Armani himself and features a renovated Made-to-Measure men’s section and, most importantly, an expanded shoe selection.

On the top floor, Armani’s red carpet-worthy gowns are offset by soft panes of glass featuring bamboo designs from Japan. The glass, which appears throughout the store, very nearly derailed the renovation—the boat it was being transported on temporarily broke down somewhere over the Pacific.

To greet shoppers at the store’s entrance, the design team created a showcase for a variety of the designer’s covetable accessories, including, for the first time, Armani Privé jewelry.

While in other hands the flagship store could have ended up an overwhelming four-story fashion behemoth, the redesigned space manages to be as classic and timeless as a custom-made Armani blazer.