With the arrival of Hermès in Williamsburg, one can easily say the area has officially gentrified. The iconic Parisian house may not be the first luxury brand to have opened up shop here, but it’s certainly the most esteemed from fashion’s upper echelon. The new Hermès store, its third standalone outpost in New York City, occupies two floors of a historic, redeveloped red brick structure in a fast-emerging nook of Williamsburg. Designed by acclaimed Paris-based architecture and interior design practice and longtime collaborator RDAI, the structure sees five eclectic façades with both large glass panes and blind window niches. The sizeable corner site sits around a courtyard and alongside an American sweetgum tree, concealing the store’s main entrance between sleek copper tubes. Upon entering the premises, shoppers find themselves in a lofty, welcoming setting captured by a material palette of raw brick, grey terrazzo, and metalwork that references loft culture and industrial workshops.

Obviously, the iconic ex-libris and Faubourg mosaic greets them at the door first, before the silk universe, fashion jewellery, and perfume and beauty areas unfold, followed by the women’s and men’s shoes sections. Here, the atmosphere is defined by an urban aesthetic, softened by colour-infused geometric carpets and glass-effect walls. Further on, the home collections are presented in a generous area designed to represent the atmosphere of a homely living room, surrounded by walls featuring woven leather straps, baby blue shoelaces, and cotton fibres. A double-height brick mural flanks a graphic staircase reminiscent of the Big Apple’s distinctive fire escapes, giving way to an industrial yet cozy environment. Upstairs, an intimate salon for jewellery and watches can be found, featuring handwoven wall compositions in earthy tones that tie in with the materials used in the home space. On each side of the stairway, women’s and men’s apparel collections are presented on oak wood flooring. Next is an area dedicated to Hermès‘ equestrian trophies and leather goods, largely defined by various rug designs. © superfuture