DYLAN LAUREN
Fashion icon Ralph Lauren’s only daughter, Dylan is responsible for a new interpretation of the candy store in the US. Europeans have been more successful in maintaining the artistic legacy of the culture of candy. Famous are the candy shops in Rome and Brussels, Paris or Vienna, even Tokyo, but what Dylan has accomplished is to elevate candy into a lifestyle, incorporating candy themes to apparel, accessories, event catering and on site corporate events. Her brand, Dylan’s Candy Bar, is fast becoming a sweet empire with sales in the millions and stores in New York, East Hampton, L.A., Houston, and most recently Miami Beach.
Dylan, who studied art history, re-invents the concept of a candy shop into authentic palaces, wonderlands for children and adults alike. She draws inspiration from classic themes like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Disneyland, from her childhood passion for candy and also her take on fashion, art and pop culture in general, to immerse costumers in a joyous journey through their own sweet experiences. “As a kid I loved the way candy tasted and was amazed by the colorful presentation in my favorite candy stores. In 2001, I fulfilled a childhood dream of mine, opening the largest, most magical candy store”, says Dylan who is the CEO Dylan’s Candy Bar.
Candy Bar Blast Ice Cream
The first Candy Bar opened in New York in 2001. The largest candy store in the world carries over 7,000 candies from all corners of the world, as well as traditional, novelty, nostalgic and holiday themed candy, making it a mandatory destination for the ultimate sugar rush. But there is much more than just satisfying our sweet tooth at this shop, which feels more like a curated selection of artfully displayed objects. An apparel section with candy inspired tees, towels, jewelry, home accessories and stationary, even spa products, make a playful invitation to have a little fun in our lives. Hollywood A-Listers and international celebrities have become regular clients. Among them Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Michelle Obama, Alex Rodriguez, Nacho and Delfina Figueras, who come to the store by themselves or with their children. When we asked her about the store’s appeal to parents and adults in general, she told us “candy has a nostalgic effect on adults who feel like they are kids again when they go into a candy store. We carry one of the largest collections of nostalgic candy, candies people can’t easily find, some of them have been discontinued since the 1960s. We re introduce or launch products that have not been around for a while, and it brings out a sort of happiness in adults”.
Caliche Rum Candy Cosmos at the grand opening celebration of Dylan’s Candy Bar in South Beach
The South Beach store has on the main level, a bar and café with an assortment of sweet and savory dishes, ice cream sundaes, gourmet chocolate pizzas, chocolate fondue and mini pizzas and sandwiches for a lite lunch. A full service bar serves traditional drinks and candy inspired cocktails such as chocolate martinis and Pop Rocks Explosion, perfected for a romantic first date (one that can be revisited years later with kids in tow). The café sits 80 guests, and will surely quench the thirst and feed those late night munchies of locals and the many tourists who visit Miami Beach. The location is also ready to host all kind of fun, chic events from birthdays, baby showers, bachelorette and engagement parties to corporate events in whimsical style.
1. Chocolate Caramel Crunch Popcorn. 2. Vanilla Clodhoppers.
Dylan chose South Beach because it is a “young, cool, cosmopolitan and fashionable location with a sophisticated population who knows about style and would love to give upscale candy as gifts”, a population we know will embrace her sweet lifestyle. For the this location she is introducing “exotic fruity flavors like mango and acai berry (which will appeal to a large client base of Hispanic residents and tourists from Latin America), flavors we don’t carry in other markets. We are also presenting gummies in the shape of fish, alligators, sunglasses and the sun in different flavors”.
1. Dylan Lauren. 2. Dylan’s Candy Bar Miami Beach.
The store’s design: artsy, chic and playful, fits perfectly with Miami’s budding art scene. It is anchored by an oversize lollipop tree, candy cane columns, a state-of-the-art backlit staircase and candy inspired art. A team of experts will be on hand to curate personalized, one-of-a-kind gift baskets, and a Celebration’s team is poised to bring their emblematic store experience to private homes and event venues of your choice.
Dylan’s Candy Bar South Beach is located at 801 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. Other American cities as well as London and Tokyo will soon be able to enjoy Dylan’s delights. Nothing could be sweeter! ■
