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An LV monogram might be the standout feature to an average person, but a real Louis Vuitton die-hard knows its all in the details. Louis Vuitton opened its massive five-story Miami store in the Design District, and while you may be taken aback by its openness and sheer scale, it's the elements within that remind you why you may have always loved the brand in the first place.
Influenced by 1950s Tropical Modernism and Art Deco, the store in itself takes you back to Miami's Magic City days, with clean modern details, an open floor plan, and a grand, zigzagging staircase that takes you from the first floor all the way to the fifth. Vintage Brazilian furniture sits throughout and tropical wallpaper adorns the fitting rooms. Light oak floors, stark white walls, and a grand staircase create the backdrop for Nicolas Ghesquière's collections, which are held up not traditionally but on stacked shelves suspended by fine leather belts– one of the details that makes the store so great.
Womenswear, shoes and accessories can be found on the first floor and travel pieces live on the mezzanine, right under a 36-foot artwork designed by Teresita Fernandez, a Miami born artist and big name in the art world, which features translucent blue glass and over 16,000 cobochon mirrors that reflect the store's interior. In the center, a series of vintage trunks are displayed, each with its own story and connection to Florida. The oldest dates back to 1892, when Sir Henry C., a British judge, visited his friend Henry Flagler and woke up in Palm Beach surrounded by stacks of foreign cash on a card table with his sister sleeping inside the zinc trunk.
On the second floor you'll find Louis Vuitton's menswear collection, as well as historic celestial photographs from NASA, and a series of watercolor drawings of Saint Tropez by André, the Swedish graffiti artist. The top floors feature a landscaped terrace, a gallery space, and a VIP pavilion.
What's really cool about this Design District store are the exclusive items found only at this location, like monogrammed trunks lined with either teal or coral, the men's Montecarlo car shoe in phython and a unique design of the women's tempo sneaker, if you're into purple snakeskin. Also at the store you'll find Louis Vuitton's limited edition crocodile and ostrich Capucines bags in a neutral and bright colors, which are only sold in three locations throughout the country.
If you happen to be lucky enough to be shopping at sunset, step out once night breaks. Each quilted panel within the Jun Aoki and Mirei Uchibe façade illuminates with LED lights creating a beautiful structure for anyone walking through the District.
In the end it's a beautiful store that definitely helps cement the Design District as one of the places to shop luxury in Miami.