Miami’s Design District has come a long way. What was once a slew of rundown warehouses has progressed into a culturally rich neighborhood replete with design installations, fine dining and upscale shopping. On March 18th, the bourgeoning neighborhood welcomed a women’s Dior flagship store to their ever-growing list of high-end boutiques. Joining its male counterpart Dior Homme, and the likes of BVLGARI, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy, the new flagship is further proof that Miami’s luxury sector is booming.A true visionary, French designer Christian Dior rose to fame in post-war Paris, creating innovative pieces in feminine silhouettes that propelled him to elite status and shone the limelight on women’s luxury goods. Since 1947, women have been inspired by Dior’s beautiful garments. The same can now be said about designer Peter Marino and Barbarito Bancel Architectes who created the façade of the new locale after finding inspiration from a Japanese-style dress from firm’s spring/summer 2007 couture collection. The three story boutique was constructed with white decorative concrete panels as a complement to Miami’s evolving art and design scene. A star sits atop the grandiose building as a symbol of good luck from Monsieur Dior.The store’s interior is a take on Dior’s worldwide flagship on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, which was also designed by Marino. Its aesthetic is chic and minimalistic, with metallic accents and splashes of gray throughout (one of Dior’s favorite hues), making for a very elegant setting. The spacious store carries accessories, handbags, jewelry, watches and ready-to-wear items.The new boutique embraces more than immaculate fashion, though. There’s a rooftop garden terrace (where fashionistas can enjoy drinks and entertainment) and commissioned works from several contemporary artists, including a Terence Main Five cast aluminum bench, a Véronique Rivemale desk lamp and a Fredrikson Stallard Crush console, among others. A video art piece wall by Oyoram is positioned along the staircase that leads up to the second floor. These added features embody the Design District’s artsy vibe and stand as proof that Dior is in tune with their design-savvy consumers.
The recently opened Dior flagship is located at 162 Northeast 39th St, and is a part of the firm’s expansion plans. In a statement to WWD Sidney Toledano, president and CEO of Dior Couture said, “Having a freestanding store, a big space, is the best way to express the brand. It’s a commitment to the U.S. market.”
That commitment takes Dior to the West Coast for their next flagship store in Union Square, a main retail and cultural center in San Francisco, CA. ■