Top NYC Store Openings

Downtown devotees have been eagerly passing by the old Yohji Yamamoto location to peek in and spy the fur-filled, white marble interior: Wunderkind Alexander Wang just opened his first store. Not only does this mark a moment in NYC fashion (it appears the avant is now the established garde), but it also caps off the Fashion Week flurry of store openings. As February winds down, we'll get a jump on deeming these six freshly opened spots as some of the coolest shop launches of 2011. And with Mulberry and agnès b. on the horizon, we have to say, the year is shaping up to be a reverie of rad retail. Take a look to see if your newest favorite go-to made our list, or if we've spied a secret destination you just wouldn't want to miss.

A.P.C Special

For fans of the Francophone label, A.P.C's newest offering really is, well…special. The West Village expansion hosts overstock, limited- editions, the coveted Quilt Series and House of Waris baubles—meaning you'll never know what you'll score when you stop by. 

 

Wang's World: Alexander Wang

The ultra-lush interior of the first standalone shop for Alexander Wang hosts a metal cage (for showcasing collabs and limited items), squashy leather couches, plenty of studded bucket bags and, of course, a fox-fur hammock.

Northern Exposure: Aritzia

Though the official launch is yet to happen, Vancouver-based Aritzia is opening a "Shop Before the Shop" before their 2,000 ft. flagship sets sail on Broadway this spring. The loft-like space will be lined with finds from Rachel Comey, Rag & Bone and Earnest Sewn, the real deals are the in-house labels TNA, T. Babaton and A Moveable Feast—all priced to move. 

 

Unstuffing Uptown: Agent Provocateur

Nothing made the suits on Madison hotter under the collar than Agent Provocateur's opening party, which featured windows full of gyrating, g-string clad models in latex and pasties. It's about time the ladies who lunch have a spot to pick up something nice for after dinner, too.