Following on his exit from Balenciaga just a week ago, Alexander Wang has opened his first European flagship store in London.
Located in a former post office on Mayfair's fashionable Albemarle Street, the 625 square-metre store is his largest flagship store to date and spans three levels offering, menswear, womenswear, accessories and homewear. Wang collaborated with Belgian architect Vincent van Duysen to achieve the store's minimalistic, utilitarian interior.
"I've always loved London and I am so proud and excited to open my first European flagship store here," said Wang. "The multi-level space and the historical structure of the building gave us the opportunity to evolve our retail concept, and to adapt it specifically to this location."
"The rich heritage of the building and the Mayfair area juxtaposed with Alex's fascination with less traditional materials -- such as rubber, distressed chrome, embossed leathers -- and the 'unexpected', create something very special that speaks strongly to our combined aesthetic -- geometric proportions with a refined contemporary edge," explained Vincent van Duysen.
The store opening also marks the 25th flagship store since it first opened in New York 2011. Wang's exit from Balenciaga indicated that he would be devoting himself full-time to his own brand in which he has a minority investment and is close to signing a deal with General Atlantic, the growth equity firm headed by William Ford. From here on out its onward and upward for Wang who seems to be doing just that.