Situated on the iconic avenue des Champs-Élysées in the eighth arrondissement of Paris is a new, luxury boutique that exudes utter sophistication. It’s Saint Laurent’s latest, and perhaps its greatest, flagship, no thanks to the palpable textures and specially commissioned artworks that call it home. Whatever the case, it’s certainly the largest.

Opening its doors to the public last Saturday, Anthony Vaccarello, creative director of the atelier, set out, not only to bring the brand to one of the world’s most emblematic addresses, but to introduce an entirely new design concept that feels like a revelatory discovery that simultaneously celebrates the essence of the building’s historic construction. “I wanted to realise one of Yves Saint Laurent’s wishes when he arrived in Paris and said he wanted his name to be written in fiery letters on the Champs-Élysées,” he says.

Housed in a 19th century building, with its restored Haussmannian façade, the new space is incredibly impressive. Sensuous surfaces are stark and brutal, made of concrete, chipped and cracked. But they’re also streamlined; curvaceous staircases in black-lacquered wood spiral between white marble floors and shrewd plastered walls. Suspended from the ceiling of a marvellous double-height foyer, a white neon light sculpture by experimental Welsh artist and sculptor Cerith Wyn Evans is utterly entrancing. There’s even a private garden, if you so please, for escaping the hijinx of Paris and rediscovering serenity. While each room is distinct, a fierce sense of unity flows between them, tapping into a varied uniformity that’s raw and refined at once.

Atop artful carpeting, minimalistic furniture by Donald Judd – the late and great American artist remembered not only for his clear-cut and considered sculptural works, but his advocacy for autonomy and artistic expression – are deposited, and cobalt blue marble wall displays frame certain items as if they are irreplaceable artefacts.

The house’s complete offering is available within – including men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, accessories and fine jewellery – asserting itself as a one-stop-shopping experience set to satisfy the cravings of Saint Laurent loyalists, one-off shoppers and everything in between. There’s even a special assortment of items on offer that have been specifically curated for the space, reflecting its elevated nature.

The new Saint Laurent store on avenue des Champs-Élysées is an architectural interpretation of modern luxury done so gorgeously that we’re already dreaming about our first visit.

Photography courtesy of Saint Laurent. The new YSL boutique is located at 123 avenue des Champs-Élysées.

ysl.com