La Collection Privée Christian Dior, New York

FOR ITS FIRST standalone fragrance boutique in the United States, LVMH-owned luxury French fashion house Christian Dior (Paris) opted for a location with no shortage of foot traffic: New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. A partnership between the Dior Travel Retail Americas team and duty-free, specialty retail operator International Shoppes (Valley Stream, N.Y.), the 968-square-foot La Collection Privée Christian Dior landed inside the international Terminal 1 of the sixth busiest airport in the country. The well-heeled boutique showcases more than 20 exclusive fragrances, soaps, candles and more in a refined setting featuring a mix of neutrals – everything from white to beige to greige – and elevated materials that evoke classic residential architecture in Paris.

Dior’s first standalone fragrance boutique features flooring inspired by the Palace of Versailles, artisan-applied molding and wood and quartz-blended fixtures.

“Many of the fragrances in La Collection Privée are inspired by Christian Dior’s life experiences, his haute couture creations or significant places he cherished,” says Store Design Manager Victor Salinas. “The retail design also embraces this storytelling, adding depth to each of the scents that the [shopper] smells.”

Elements such as the Versailles-inspired flooring pattern, molding details on the walls and textured plaster (applied on-site by artisans) adorning the rigged concrete wall panels intensify the store’s sensory journey. Suspended perimeter fixtures blend textured wood and quartz, while the freestanding tables are made from solid Italian travertine for a timeless luxury feel. Given the store’s location, Salinas says every joint and corner is reinforced to accommodate potential carry-on luggage collisions.

“When shoppers step into the boutique, we aim to evoke a sense of exclusive luxury in a welcoming environment,” says Salinas. “We want them to feel an ambience of sophistication and refinement, where every detail, from the exquisite fragrances to the meticulously curated merchandise, speaks to the artistry and prestige of the Dior House.”