Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Holiday Marketplace
Donna Karan is channeling her love of travel into the second edition of the Urban Zen Holiday Marketplace. The pop-up shopping concept, which she tested during the last holiday season, embraces the idea of soulful economy, offering several impressive installations of humanitarian bent merchandise with the goal of making a philanthropic difference.
In addition to Karan favorites such as art and furniture by Ilana Goor and Lauren Bush Lauren’s Feed bags, there are plenty of new lines available in the market, among them sculptures by Elizabeth Jordan made from laboratory beakers and cashmere toys, hats and blankets from Norlha in Tibet. There is also a tech-y element: The App Store from Evan Desmond Yee is a mock Apple shop-in-shop offering the Brooklyn artist’s interpretations of the iPhone and gadgets for it, including the iFlip, an hourglass sand timer filled with crushed iPhones, and the Nocuous Rift, which, when attached to the actual iPhone, alters the display screen into a prism. Proceeds go toward the Urban Zen Foundation as well as some of the artisans’ charitable organizations.
Alexander McQueen Opening in Paris
Alexander McQueen is set to open in its first standalone store in Paris next summer, a 6,458-square-foot space at 372 Rue Saint-Honoré. The store will showcase the new retail concept conceived by Alexander McQueen’s creative director Sarah Burton, and realized together with David Collins Studio, the London-based interiors design and architecture firm. The store will carry the label’s runway, commercial and accessories collections, along with designs that run across the seasons, such as its skull scarves, Heroine day bag and Knuckle Box clutches.
Zappos Opens First Store
Yesterday, Zappos launched a 20,000-square-foot pop-up shop in downtown Las Vegas. The physical store, Zappos’ first, is driven by technology and will be open for business 24-7 during the holiday period though Dec. 31.
The Zappos pop-up shop is merchandised with 16 different areas offering everything from couture to athletic wear. Consumers are able to find products and touch and feel them. If a size or color isn’t available, shoppers can scan items to their virtual carts and the order will be delivered free of charge to their home the following day. Approximately three-quarters of the store is devoted to clothing. Zappos features designers such as Elie Tahari, Nicole Miller, Trina Turk, Kate Spade New York, BCBG Max Azria and Nanette Lepore.
The store’s parking lot has been transformed into a winter wonderland with a 50-foot Christmas tree and banks of fake snow. Shoppers are asked to bring a gift to put under the tree. The store has a cafe serving hot chocolate, sliders, sandwiches and tacos. A bar serves alcoholic beverages, but Zappos really sees the pop-up as a family affair. On weekends, food trucks will arrive serving funnel cakes and other holiday treats.
–Selicia A. Walker
Source & Photo: WWD
