3 hours ago
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The Dolce & Gabbana party was giving bombshell vibes.
The Italian fashion house threw a glamorous soirée on Wednesday night to celebrate the opening of its new flagship at 695 Madison Ave. Designer Domenico Dolce, who co-founded the company with Stefano Gabbana, welcomed an array of actors, models, stylists, photographers and influencers including Diane Kruger, Helena Christensen, Anh Duong, Grace Elizabeth, Olivia Ponton, Ella Mendelsohn, Penn Badgley and Evan Mock.
Christensen looked blooming lovely in a gardenia-print corset dress. “I feel like I’m in a ’50s movie,” the supermodel told Alexa. “Super sensual.”
“Dolce & Gabbana is very feminine, I think it really flatters my shape,” said Kruger, who wore the brand’s pale blue frock. “I appreciate it and I think they really love women.”
“Project Runway” Season 21 judge Law Roach, who has garbed Zendaya in the label, praised its precise tailoring. “Let me tell you one thing about Dolce: I always say as a stylist, the inside of the dress should be just as beautiful as the outside of the dress. And that’s the way you know that the craftsmanship is there. When you get someone that has great craftsmanship, and also great showmanship, it’s going to be perfect.”
The store carries a seductive array of women’s and men’s fashion and accessories, exclusive products, made-to-measure menswear, fine jewelry, eyewear, watches, beauty and Casa home. All of the brand’s iconic looks await, from the corseted wiggle dresses favored by Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian to the delicate lace gowns rocked by Monica Bellucci and Sofia Vergara.
The boutique is located in the former Hermès store, a 1928 stylized neoclassical edifice designed by McKim, Mead & White, the famed architecture firm behind the original Pennsylvania Station, Columbia University library and Brooklyn Museum. The building originally housed Louis Sherry, a society restaurant and gourmet food shop named after the Gilded Age restaurateur, hotelier and confectioner.
The space has been updated by American architect Eric Carlson and his Paris-based studio, Carbondale, which has collaborated on numerous Dolce retail projects around the world. As for the stone facade, the company is working with New York’s Landmarks Preservation Commission to restore it.
The interior is as chic as a Cinecittà star. A massive, custom Murano chandelier hangs over the black granite staircase spiraling through the five floors. Polished eucalyptus wood cases are juxtaposed with contemporary steel and boucle wool furnishings.
Shoppers may want to start by taking the elevator straight to the glass penthouse, where they can savor an espresso or cocktail at the elegant backlit bar. This is the sparkly floor, with evening gowns, demi-couture, fine jewelry and watches gleaming under the huge circular skylight.
The women’s ready-to-wear collection is displayed on three. This season, the show was attended by Madonna with pieces that pay tribute to her Blond Ambition era along with blond bombshells from Marilyn Monroe to Monica Vitti. That means lingerie-inspired satin dresses, tuxedos with cone-shaped cups and floral sheaths.
Exclusive to the location are tailored cashmere coats, jackets, blazers and knits, each bearing a special “Madison Avenue NEW YORK” sewn-in label. A selection of printed silk scarves was also created especially for the store. Meanwhile, several of the exclusive exotic bags can be made to order in a variety of skins and colorways.
Men’s is on second while the ground floor showcases accessories, including scarves, bags, eyewear, bags, fragrances and cosmetics. The company’s best-selling “Light Blue” scent has pride of place, together with the 14-fragrance Velvet Collection, an olfactive journey through Italy’s picturesque regions. A makeup artist will be available for consultations in a private beauty room.
Looking for a special present? Head down to the Casa floor. Between the patterned tableware, frames, pillows, beach towels, candles, unisex robes and slippers, there’s something stunning for everyone.
English (US)