Valentino San Francisco
For months, San Franciscans waited in anticipation for their very own Valentino. First, there was construction, then a facade to hide the progress and finally, just a few days before Christmas, the store opened with little fanfare just in time for the city’s well-heeled gift givers to stop in and stock up on the brand’s studded offerings. Now that the store has had a chance to get to know its neighbors (Saint Laurent’s men’s store, Gucci, etc.), we’ve got a peek inside to see just what sets this store apart.
Valentino San Francisco
The multi-level shop spans 6,700 square feet, and like many of Union Square’s shops, the upper levels provide shoppers with a great view of the square and its cavalcade of events (ice skating in the winter, gleaming statues of David Beckham in nothing but underwear for H&M’s promotions, you know the drill). Inside the store, which was designed by British architect David Chipperfield, reflects the brand’s new retail concept, which was introduced in 2012 and will roll out to existing stores in the coming years.
Instead of the gleaming, glossy white stores you might know, the San Francisco store is warm, inviting and according to the brand, more about creating an experience than just offering up a place to shop. Throughout the store, you’ll find tufted sofas, American walnut fixtures and Venetian terrazzo marble. The store literally glitters as you move from room to room thanks to the finish on the walls, and ladies will be happy to know that there are plenty of the brand’s Rockstud pumps, bags and more in classic colors and limited-edition seasonal shades.
Valentino San Francisco
In addition to boasting the new retail concept, Valentino San Francisco has one more thing to set it apart: it’s the only location in the United States to carry the full men’s ready-to-wear and accessories lines. That means that guys will be able to snag the brand’s studded, camo sneakers (a street style photog favorite) as well as leather-accented coats and t-shirts. Of course, suiting is on offer as well as classic pieces such as white button-ups and luxe knits, but the addition of a more casual, street-focused collection is sure to bring in a younger generation of shoppers, not to mention appeal to the more casual Silicon Valley crowd. The men’s area is marked by supple grey sofas done up in the same tufted grid pattern as those in the women’s area and a luxe blue carpet that’s sure to feel great under new sneakers and dress shoes alike.
Valentino San Francisco
Upstairs, the ladies have several areas to shop, including dedicated areas for accessories (there are enough handbags and shoes to make even the most jaded fashion fanatics stop in their tracks) as well as daywear and cocktail and a separate area for more dramatic evening looks. Be sure to keep an eye out for limited-edition items sprinkled throughout the store, such as the Rockstud Noir and Rockstud Rouge collections, which are almost impossible to find as well as the Crystal Camo collection, an über-luxe take on the military staple done up in Swarovski crystals. Of course, classic shoes and bags are plentiful for the more demure dames of the City, but with an such a wide breadth of the brand’s goods for girls and guys alike, it’s unlikely that any shopper will leave the store empty handed.
Valentino is located at 105 Grant Street, in San Francisco.
Images courtesy Valentino
