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Talk about a grand opening. Hermès ushered in its third stateside flagship with a glorious, tropical-themed gala last week and, like the party, its Design District store falls nothing short of breathtaking.
From the moment you step inside you're greeted by a dramatic winding staircase that wraps around the entire room, which you can see in all its glory from the outside of the building through its glass facade. Before officially stepping in though, look up spot an equestrian on a horse holding two silk flags. This Design District flagship is only one of six stores in the world to have this.
More interestingly, though, if you look to the side of the building on NE 39th St., you'll notice a nymph-like goddess riding two water horses. As the Miami Herald points out, this sculpture was once a fixture on the now-demolished Lombardy Hotel in Miami Beach. As the story goes, artists Kenny Sharf and Oliver Sanchez asked Design District founder Craig Robins to save it, he agreed, and kept it in his personal art collection for many years until, finally, they found a home for it at Hermès.
The flagship is open, inviting, and pristinely white, save for its oaky contemporary furniture and all the clothing, accessories, scarves inside. Menswear is located on the first floor, bordering a beautiful mosaic printed floor. Also on the first floor is home decor and the first Saint-Louis shop-in-shop in the U.S. Founded in 1598, the brand is Europe's oldest operating glass-maker and for the first time ever, it brings its full range of products to the states, including tableware, barware, lighting, decor, collectibles, and accessories. As you ascent the winding staircase to the second floor, you'll be greeted by Hermès' iconic silk scarves, accessories, time pieces, and fine jewelry.
On the third floor is where you'll find women's ready-to-wear, handbags, and shoes. Here is where you'll also find riding apparel and saddles, an homage to Hermès equestrian heritage; before becoming the fashion house that it is today, Hermès began as a maker of horse harnesses in 1837. The range of products you'll find inside reflects Miami, The Real Deal points out, which is why the product range is brighter with tropical elements abound. At the very top of the building is a rooftop garden.
As the Miami Herald reports, about 50 stores are open today in the Design District, and another five ready to go by March. Following will be the Design District's massive expansion, which will grow the Design District to 120 shops by the end of 2017, not including the tenants of other developers who have invested there.