Could've been worse...
Paul Smith Arrives in Soho
Erin Skrypek
November 10th, 2006 @ 4:03 PM - New York
Yesterday
evening, Thursday, November 9th, English designer Sir Paul Smith
officially opened his new shop on Greene Street in New York. The new
store is literally "home" to more than just his quintessentially
print-happy British wears – the large Soho space is divided up into
intimate, dignified English rooms.
"I wanted to divide up the space so you could make a little
discoveries as you walk through," said the always-jovial Smith, who
made a quick, two-day trip over from the UK to celebrate the opening of
his newest outlet.
Upon entering the shop, which has a "barn" created by British
artist Richard Woods in the storefront window, you encounter the grand
façade of a stately manor. To your right is a "garden room" filled with
accessories, the complete collection of Paul Smith fragrances, antique
furniture and other knick-knacks. Behind this room lies an all white,
feminine, boudoir to closet his three lines of women's wear, then there
is a more ornate Italian room stocked with dapper shoes and colorful
socks, a gallery of art and menswear and a classic oak library of
sorts.
Aside from the clean white boudoir, intricately detailed with
plaster moldings and antique brass, most of the rooms are covered in
art - drawings, paintings and photographs.
"This used to be where the Pace Gallery was," Smith said. "I wanted
to respect that as much as possible, which is why you'll see posters
from Donald Judd, Josef Albers, Mark Rothko and other artist
represented by Pace." Apart from the posters, much of the artwork comes
from Smith's private collection.
The new shop also has a great collection of books – mostly art
books – both old and new. A retail space it is, but its history as a
gallery still lingers welcoming visitors to take in not only Smith's
lovely array of classic clothes with a humorous twist, but also his
brilliant taste in art, literature and, as the Brits call it, curios.