"I don't think we can call it a store. This is beyond a store." - RL
His name is Ralph Lauren. And of course you've heard it before. But I don't think many of you understand what this man has done. He has taken his brands to such respectable, renowned levels that certify him as the undisputed representation of American style. The Ralph Lauren style is so distinct and recognizable, yet it has achieved unrivaled success in countless countries around the world.
And now, he has opened a 23,000 square foot establishment in Paris, in a 17th-century fully-restored town house at 173 Boulevard Saint-Germain. "This is my dream in Paris", he says. "Clothes are about living...an experience. In my mind, it's about a world".
The boutique is set up on four floors, and the retail space feels like an intimate residence rather than a store. Each room is completely different from the next, and there are enough artworks, chandeliers and painstakingly restored details to rival a museum.
And to top it off, he has opened his first restaurant in Europe, called Ralph's, within the space, cooking up simple, albeit upscale, American fare. Apparently, they serve "the best hamburger in Paris". It's priced at 27 euros (!). So hopefully it lives up to the hype.
We can't wait to visit.
sources: WWD, Materialiste
