Pierre's New Lair

A pilgrimage to the Pierre Hardy boutique in the Palais Royal is a part of every fashion girl's trip to Paris.  Now according to Style.com, the trip only requires a cab since Pierre Hardy is opening an eponymous store at 30 Jane Street this Wednesday, December 8th.  An old garage was turned into a chic shop with the help of David Mann of MR Architecture + Decor.  While the shoes are fabulous, I have my eye on one of the signature bags.  I might have to amend my Christmas list in light of this recent development!

Modeling for Mango

Not only does Olivia Palermo look like a model and date one but now she actually is one.  She and her handsome boyfriend Johannes Huebl are modeling for Mango's winter catalog.  Her hair is stick straight instead of styled in her signature curls but she till looks chic.  Also chic is the El Palace Hotel in Barcelona which is the setting.  If anyone needs me today, I'm going to be shopping at Mango.  Hasta luego!

Dries Van Noten at Bergdorfs

Dries Van Noten is a very busy designer.  As I wrote about recently, he just opened a new men's store in Paris and now he just celebrated his new in store boutique on the third floor at Bergdorf Goodman.  I love that Dries puts as much thought into interior design as he does fashion design.  He recently told Esquire, "my partner Patrick Vangheluwe and I choose all the antiques pieces that go into the spaces. Sometimes they rotate in and out of our home and the stores."  The blue sofa and yellow drapery combination is the same as in the Paris store but clearly, it's a scheme that works well.  Dries also said, "the nice thing with antiques is you never find the same thing twice. You can make the same formula by combining a 1950's chair with an over-the-top turn of the century table and all these things, but it's always unique. It's these strange mixtures that appeal in the decoration as they always do in my collection." I concur.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Lanvin for H&M Sneak Peek

The first looks from the upcoming Lanvin for H&M collaboration have been released and they have the fashion world in a tizzy.  The dresses are exactly what everyone loves about Lanvin and I'm sure they will be sold out in minutes.  I'm thinking about taking boxing lessons just so I can fight for one.  There will be a fashion show on November 2nd but the clothes won't be in stores until November 23rd.  Bonne chance!

Photos from www.vogue.co.uk

Ralph Lauren for the Ladies

The biggest buzz this weekend was about the new Ralph Lauren boutique that opened on Madison Avenue.  Located across the street from his already famous Rhinelander mansion for men, this one is devoted to women and home.  Unlike most retailers who hire the "it architect" of the moment to create a modern store, Ralph Lauren chose to look to the past and to complement the Rhinelander mansion. 

The Beaux Arts style limestone beauty was a collaboration between Weddle Gilmore and architect Thomas Hut of HS2 Architecture with a nod to McKim, Mead & White. It harkens back to the age of Edith Wharton and looks rather grand.

According to The New York Times, Ruth Brown, a widow, hired McKim, Mead & White in 1893 to design a house at the southwest corner of Madison Avenue at 72nd Street (above).  She never moved into the mansion and in 1895 it was sold to Alva Vanderbilt. Work on Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo's "fanciful chateau" on the southeast corner was completed in 1897.  It was bought by Ralph Lauren for his store in 1986. 

As you can see, there was nothing chic about the building that replaced the original McKim, Mead & White mansion in the 1950's.  It later became another Ralph Lauren boutique which was torn down to make way for this chic boutique.

Even though the building is dedicated to Ralph Lauren, there is something about the black and white central staircase with its mirrored walls that reminds me of Coco Chanel.  I think she too would have also enjoyed this space.

The whole building is absolutely gorgeous and I highly recommend a visit.  Right now, the Ralph Lauren Home boutique occupies the fourth floor but I hear it will be moved to the adjacent brownstone under construction.  I'll be sure to keep you posted.  Happy Shopping!

Ralph Lauren

888 Madison Avenue

at 72nd Street

New York, NY 10021

212-606-2100

Photos from New York magazine, Vogue, Luxist and The New York Times

Club Monaco at Shopbop

Club Monaco is one of my favorite retailers in New York.  I always know I can find great clothing and accessories that don't scream where I bought them.  I would always feel bad about posting my favorite pieces on Habitually Chic though because not many of my readers have access to their stores but all that has changed today.  Shopbop has partnered with Club Monaco to offer their fabulous fall collection for sale online.  I attended the launch party last night and am already eyeing that plaid coat above.  It would be perfect for the cooler temperatures today.  I'll leave the over the knee socks to you tall skinny girls! Happy Shopping!

Photos from Club Monaco

Aero Update

I was shopping for clients in Soho last week and one of my favorite stops is always Aero. The shop is always inspiring and full of treasures but this time even more so. They had just unpacked and displayed a huge shipment of what they call "smalls." If you need a hostess gift, a wedding present or just a little something for yourself, there is a bonanza from which to choose! I took home a beautiful glass tortoiseshell ice bucket that is new but looks old. What I love the most about Aero is that you can't tell the vintage from the contemporary. My sign of a great store! Happy Shopping!

Aero Studios

419 Broome Street

New York, NY 10013

212-966-1500

www.aerostudios.com

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic