Barneys N.Y. Renovates Men’s

Barneys New York has completed the renovation of its sixth-floor men’s department at the Madison Avenue flagship store.

“We’re trying to break away from the old notion of classic or designer brands,” ceo Mark Lee told Women’s Wear Daily. “The boundaries between classic and fashion are not relevant today. At the end of the day, Barneys is about modernity and we’re housing everything in a modern environment.”

“Years ago,” Lee added, “the floor would have been designed with a ‘cliché’ of classic men’s wear elements including dark wood and leather club chairs to create a traditional men’s store aesthetic. But that was deliberately struck. Instead, we let it be clean, simple and modern so the brands could shine.”

WWD says the new design features mirror-finish stainless steel cases; metal, wood and marble fixtures; intimate seating areas; columns wrapped in leather; limestone floors; cerused oak wood millwork cabinetry, and hand-woven rugs. Lighting has also been enhanced to better showcase the merchandise.

Steven Harris Architects (New York) designed the sixth floor as well as the lower-level cosmetics department. Yabu Pushelberg (Toronto) designed the recently renovated ground floor.