SANAA brings alaïa’s sculptural fashion identity to rue du faubourg saint-honoré flagship
Alaïa unveils its flagship store at 15 Rue du Faubourg, paris
Alaïa opens the doors to its latest flagship store at 15 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, marking a new chapter in the Maison’s legacy. Designed by acclaimed architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA in collaboration with Alaïa’s creative director Pieter Mulier, the flagship’s architecture embodies an interplay of art, design, and fashion. Moving beyond traditional retail concepts, the space reaffirms the identity of the fashion house through a vision of high-end aesthetics rooted in intimacy and purity. Drawing inspiration from Alaïa’s signature ‘second skin’ designs, the interior echoes the sculptural forms and soft curves of the brand’s iconic silhouettes.
all images by François Halard, courtesy of Alaïa
sanaa crafts a home for the fashion house
Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, steeped in Parisian heritage, represents a mix of Alaïa’s timeless identity and a forward-looking vision. Complementing the historic locations on Rue de Moussy and Rue de Marignan, this boutique, designed by the Tokyo-based architects, completes the trilogy of Alaïa’s Parisian spaces while preserving the intimate and familial spirit that defines the Maison. The opening also fulfills Azzedine Alaïa’s dream of establishing a presence on this legendary street.
At the heart of the ground floor are four transparent, tubular rooms bathed in soft pink tones, each dedicated to a specific collection. The project creates an enveloping ambiance highlighting Alaïa’s craftsmanship, with podiums showcasing each garment as a standalone work of art. A curved glass facade captures the energy of the street, bringing the bustle of the outside world into view from within the boutique.
Alaïa has opened the doors to its latest flagship store at 15 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
Preserving the essence of the fashion brand
Pieter Mulier has infused the space with carefully curated art and design pieces, reinforcing Alaïa’s commitment to bridging fashion and art. Among the selected works are Ron Arad’s sculptural table, Philippe Malouin’s Mollo armchairs, and Diamond Stingily’s evocative sculptures from the Elephant Memory series. These pieces, including the newly created Elephant Memory Final (2024), juxtapose hand-braided synthetic hair with galvanized steel chains, exploring themes of personal and industrial connections.
A spiral staircase, echoing Alaïa’s signature curves, leads visitors to the boutique’s second floor, while a linear staircase ascends to the mezzanine housing Le Café Sant Ambroeus. This Milanese culinary institution offers an intimate setting for gatherings, aligning with the familial essence of the fashion house.
designed by acclaimed architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA
the flagship’s architecture embodies an interplay of art, design, and fashion
the space reaffirms the identity of the fashion house through a vision of high-end aesthetics | image via @maisonalaia
drawing inspiration from Alaïa’s signature ‘second skin’ designs
the interiors of the boutique echo the sculptural forms and soft curves of the brand’s iconic silhouettes
this boutique completes the trilogy of Alaïa’s Parisian spaces
project info:
name: Alaïa Flagship Store at 15 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré | @maisonalaia
architects: Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa SANAA | @sanaa_jimusho, in collaboration with Pieter Mulier | @pieter_mulier
location: 15 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, France
photographer: François Halard | @francoishalard
thomai tsimpou | designboom
jan 21, 2025