| Right in the heart of Manhattan the new Gucci Store, a | | | | But there are more symbolic details; the facing |
| high and prominent glass building and a very impressive | | | | smoked glass mirrors and additional bronze smoked |
| architectural masterpiece, has become one of the | | | | glass seem to stretch the perspective into infinity. The |
| major shopping events of the world. The Store is on | | | | door handles are made out of interchanging vertical |
| 725 5th Avenue, three stories high and covering about | | | | stripes of gold and glass, the floor is made of white |
| 4300 square meters. This makes this new flagship | | | | marble, being cut through by a broad black line of |
| store the biggest Gucci Store worldwide, offering a | | | | marble. The line runs on the floor, on the wall and |
| very unique variety and quantity of Gucci articles and | | | | across the ceiling. |
| items. Designed by Creative Art Director Frida Giannini | | | | Liquid bronze glass with a touch of Craquelè |
| a new age of the Italian fashion label has begun. | | | | finish is used for shelves and showcases and the |
| Gianninis concept uses light and transparency with | | | | square banisters on the stairs are made of warm |
| spectacular effects, totally neglecting former views of | | | | polished gold. The walls are covered in bronzed glass |
| shopping centres and their way of presenting the | | | | and mirrors and add to the warm atmosphere. The |
| goods. Giannini is preparing us for the modern look of | | | | ever-present and well known Gucci Symbol has been |
| Gucci's 21st century. The shiny glass front, a very | | | | revived as a shield. |
| impressive sight from the street, gives credit to the | | | | A remarkable piece of work is the free standing |
| work of the legendary architect James Carpenter. | | | | staircase with a facade made of rosewood, running |
| The facade, transparent glass, covers three stories, | | | | diagonally across all three stories. The stairs are being |
| catches the daylight sun and provides a beautiful view | | | | accentuated by gold coloured and clear Plexiglas, |
| from both inside and out. | | | | which allow the light to shine into the space. |
| Traditional Gucci materials, like dark rosewood and | | | | "I wanted to enhance the luxurious atmosphere in the |
| marble remain standard components of the stores | | | | Gucci Stores and create an aesthetic, which adds to |
| aesthetic. But they do change with the sunrays, which | | | | the vision of our brand today" Giannini explains. "This |
| gain a elementary meaning through Giannini. A variety | | | | design is a modern architectural statement related to |
| of new materials, such as grooved glass, warm and | | | | iconic materials and elements of Gucci, which have |
| polished gold, smoked glass and smoked mirrors | | | | already been used in former stores. Everything has |
| remind of the elegance and lushness of the Art Deco. | | | | been chosen very carefully to lay further emphasis on |
| Above that they add a special warmth to the interior | | | | the design and at the same time be an ideal |
| and to the graphic elements, which reflect Gianninis | | | | background for the display of our collection." |
| idea of fashion. | | | | You couldn't put it more elaborate. It's a sight to see |
| Geometric lines, some of them abstracts of the well | | | | and a place to go if you love Gucci. Even if you don't, |
| known Gucci block stripes, define the interior | | | | you might start to after visiting the store! |
| decoration. | | | | |