Belgian Delvaux opens flagship on Fifth Avenue

Belgian handbag brand Delvaux is opening a first American store on the famous Fifth Avenue in New York. The boutique, in a 1927 building, overlooks Central Park and allows Americans to discover the “oldest luxury leather house in the world”.

Upper East Side Manhattan

Not one, but three commercials are ready to announce Delvaux’ arrival in New York. As the first American store, the opening is a special occasion for the Belgian handbag brand, which calls itself the oldest luxury leather house in the world. Founded in Brussels in 1829, Delvaux was in 1908 indeed one of the first to receive a patent for a handbag as we know it to date.

Now it is time to introduce that handbag in the United States as well, and that happens with style: the store is located on Fifth Avenue, more specifically at the intersection with 59th Street in Manhattan’s wealthy Upper East Side. The boutique found a place in the historic Sherry-Netherland building, a multi-storey building that overlooks Central Park. The area breathes luxury, proven by the fact that its neighbours are the Apple Store en restaurant Harry Cipriani.

Modern with Belgian subtleties

The store has a tailor-made shop layout that wants to pay tribute to the location of both the store and the company’s origins. Delvaux CEO Jean-Marc Loubier worked with architectural firm Vudafieri Saverino Partners to develop a store concept that features a modern interior with striking Belgian touches.

For example, the marble floor in ‘Gris des Ardennes’, furniture by Belgian designer Emiel Veranneman and an antique chandelier from a Flemish church can be seen hanging from the ceiling. The colours of the Belgian flag have also been incorporated in the staircase. The lounge on the top floor, however, has a French Régence table from the 18th century as a showpiece.